Media Usability Studies Syllabus
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This document is a course syllabus for TECH 4240, a 3 credit hour online course on media usability studies. The course will examine usability of computer interfaces and how information is presented through hardware and software. Students will learn user-centered evaluation processes and apply usability testing strategies. The syllabus outlines course objectives, topics, assignments, grading scale, policies and expectations for online participation and interaction.
Media Usability Studies Syllabus
- 1. V1.0 Page 1 of 9 Course Syllabus Instructor Dr. Cori Zuppo, SPHR, GPHR Department of Visual Communication & Technology Education Email: czuppo@bgsu.edu Office hours: TBD or by appointment Course Description TECH 4240, Media Usability Studies (3) facilitates an examination of the usability of computer-based device interfaces and the accomplishment of human tasks, thinking critically about how information is presented; attention to hardware and software user interfaces, user-centered evaluation processes, usability engineering, educational uses of computers and computer-supported cooperative work. Required Course Text None. A curation of the most recent materials regarding relevant topics will be provided each week within the learning management system (Canvas). Overview The purpose of TECH 4240 is to provide students with an understanding of the significant factors involved in developing user interfaces when creating delivery mechanisms for technology-based information. Students will examine and evaluate a variety of different media from critical perspectives, based on established usability methods and testing. “Users are not always logical, at least not on the surface. To be a great designer you need to look a little deeper into how people think and act.” ~Paul Boag
- 2. V1.0 Page 2 of 9 The course will also examine the dynamics of user-centered design and human/computer interaction. Of specific importance will be the intersection of user experience and user interfaces. Course Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: • Examine media used for content delivery • Analyze effectiveness of content delivery mechanisms • Develop an understanding of contextual meanings of usability, as well as an awareness of user interface features that support positive user engagement • Evaluate the effects of UX/UI on task completion using scenarios designed to measure usability • Apply methods and tools to identify issues within task completion and workflow across different types of industries • Understand and apply UX/UI design principles via analysis and identification of specific design criteria • Gain experience in application of usability testing strategies through informal usability evaluations • Synthesize the dynamics of culture, society and technology to understand the range of user challenges and expectations • Examine human behavior and computer interaction pertaining to user-driven adaptations • Demonstrate knowledge of best practices in design and delivery of media • Understand how user experiences may support/not support positive contributions to an organization’s strategic goals Instructional Philosophy All course activities and interactions are designed to facilitate application of relevant theory and best practices in simulations that reflect the current state of the industry. Students will analyze, problem solve and make decisions to demonstrate learning and newly gleaned competencies. Risk taking and open discussion of new ideas will bridge the gap between knowing about topics and being able to use/design/apply tools and methods. The latter represents primary course outcomes.
- 3. V1.0 Page 3 of 9 The course represents a safe environment for students to explore ideas and learn by application of newly developing skill sets. The instructor represents a facilitator for individual and collective success. Course Delivery Course delivery will be entirely online through Canvas (i.e., BGSU’s learning management system). Communication will occur through the Canvas Inbox and via online discussion forums. Canvas will contain relevant and timely resources, documents, detailed assignment descriptions, communication tools and metrics for measuring performance. External URLs and tools may be used at the discretion of the instructor and in line with privacy requirements (i.e., FERPA). Performance Expectations Students are expected to participate in online interactions to create a collaborative learning community. Students will be expected log into the course at least three separate days per week and participate in discussions as outlined in the discussion rubric. Assignments must be completed on or before due dates. Course Announcements and Notifications Announcements will be very important for keeping your work on track - make sure that you have opted to receive announcements immediately or daily in the Notification Preferences inside of Canvas. Relevant tutorials: • Update Your Canvas Network Profile • Update Your Notification Preferences
- 4. V1.0 Page 4 of 9 Course Outline Week 1 Introduction to Media Usability Week 2 UI/UX Convergence of Disciplines Week 3 User-centered Design, Human Computer Interaction, and Learning Theory Week 4 Usability Methodologies Week 5 Usability Analysis Tools Week 6 Strategic Implications Week 7 Measuring Usability Week 8 Applied Analyses Graded Course Activities The instructor reserves the right to amend graded activities and/or course topics as necessary. Grading Scale (using %) A = 92 -100 B = 82 – 91 C = 72 – 81 D = 62 – 71 F = less than 62
- 5. V1.0 Page 5 of 9 External Support Links Library Guide: http://libguides.bgsu.edu/LDT Writers Lab: For assistance with written work contact the writer's lab writers@bgsu.edu Organization of the Course On the front page (Home page) of the course, you will see course navigation icons for the following: ∗ Discussions: access to course discussion questions ∗ FAQ: a discussion thread for student Q&A ∗ Guides: link to the Student Canvas guide ∗ Support: link to BGSU’s Technology Support ∗ People: class participants ∗ Grades: access to student grades ∗ Assignments: a listing of all course assignments, including due dates, module location, and grading value ∗ Supplements: any additional links or items of interest relating to the course ∗ Library: a link to BGSU’s library ∗ Announcements or Latest News: Welcome and periodic messages from your professor ∗ Syllabus: your syllabus the TECH 4240 which includes PDF and .docx versions in line with instructional design best practices On the side navigation of the Canvas course, you will see a link to the Home page, weekly course modules, the list of assignments and the course syllabus. The course is designed using week by week modules, and students should progress through each module by using the Next and Previous buttons located in the lower left and right corners of each module component. Students are strongly cautioned against clicking only on the Assignments links and skipping important materials contained in the module. Computer access vs. mobile access Canvas user interfaces vary across platforms and has been taken into consideration concerning the design of the course. When using a computer, students are encouraged to click on the module icon links on the Home page, while mobile users should clink on
- 6. V1.0 Page 6 of 9 the text links below the icons to access modules. Mobile users can utilize the weekly task lists to navigate the contents of that week’s module. Submitting Assignments Students are encouraged to compose and save discussion posts as Microsoft Word (or other) documents. When submitting a written assignment for grading, please include your last name, first initial and the assignment title at the top of all of your documents, unless otherwise instructed. File names should be clearly discernable and should also contain your last name, first initial, along with whatever else has been requested in the assignment description. APA 6th edition style will be followed for all written assignments as well as within discussion posts, including proper formatting of in-text citations and references. • Spacing: double, no extra space before or after paragraphs • Margins: 1” for all sides • Preferred font: 12-pt Time New Roman • Color of font: Black • Page numbers: upper right-hand corner • Paragraph indentation: Indent 5-7 spaces or ½” • Heading formats/styles: strict APA 6th edition • File name format: Last name, first initial, assignment info (as prescribed in assignment description) Assignment Deadlines Generally, assignments are due at 11:59 p.m., (Eastern time) on the date indicated. Students should be careful to set their time zones and are responsible for keep track of any relevant time zone differences. Late assignments may be penalized by a deduction of 5% of the total grade, per day, for each day the assignment is late unless advance arrangements have been made with the instructor. Clear exceptions apply for active military duty, and other types of catastrophic life events. In these cases, direct communication with the instructor is required.
- 7. V1.0 Page 7 of 9 Class Meetings Occasionally the professor will have non-mandatory online chat sessions or hangouts. While these meetings are not required, they will help students interact and dig deeper into the material and course requirements. More information will be contained in relevant announcements. Midterm Contact with Professor At the course midpoint, students will be required to meet with the professor either in virtual format or by phone. This required contact is intended to provide students a one- to-one opportunity to check in with the professor and ask for clarification or additional information. The professor will also have the opportunity to gauge individual student progress through the interaction. Details will be outlined in relevant announcements. Feedback For each assignment, the professor will provide clear and abundant feedback to assist the student in developing course competencies. Feedback may be in written, audio or video formats. Student feedback will be utilized throughout the course in the form of surveys and other comments. Specifically, a checklist and feedback survey will be contained in the Course Introduction Module, as well as a mid-course survey contained in the appropriate course module. Student evaluations of the course and the instructor may appear in Canvas during the last week or so of the course. Students are encouraged to communicate regularly with the instructor to ensure clarity and a positive working relationship. Codes of Conduct and Academic Honesty Policy The instructor and students in this course will adhere to the University’s general Codes of Conduct defined in the BGSU Student Handbook. The Code of Academic Conduct (Academic Honesty Policy) requires that students do not engage in academic dishonesty. For details, refer to: • BGSU Student Handbook (http://bgsu.edu/downloads/sa/file15768.pdf) • The Academic Charter, B.II.H (http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/facsenate/page471.html)
- 8. V1.0 Page 8 of 9 • Student Discipline Programs (http://bgsu.edu/offices/sa/studentdiscipline/index.html) Canvas Network has a Code of Conduct that outlines specific conditions of use including guidelines for content and interactions. During our time together, we may discuss some sensitive topics. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It is assumed that all participants in this course will be professional and respectful in all course interactions. Canvas Accessibility Statement Canvas provides a user experience that is easy, simple, and intuitive. Special attention has been paid to making Canvas screen-readable. The Rich Content Editor encourages users to create accessible content pages (i.e. text formatting is accomplished using styles). Canvas is designed to allow limited customization of colors and schemes to be accessible to all users. The National Federation of the Blind granted Canvas (Links to an external site.) the Gold Level Web Certification in 2010. Find more information by visiting the Canvas Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) (Links to an external site.). Disability Policy Per University policy, if a student has a documented disability and requires accommodations to obtain equal access in the course, s/he should contact the Office of Disability Services for Students, 413 South Hall, 419-372-8495 (http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/disability/) to verify their eligibility for accommodations. The Office of Disability Services for Students will then contact the instructor to advise them of the need for accommodation(s). It is helpful to advise your instructor at the beginning of the semester and make your accommodation need(s) known, however, students should have previously contacted the Office of Disability Services for Students. Religious Holidays It is the policy of the University to make every reasonable effort allowing students to observe their religious holidays without academic penalty. In such cases, it is the obligation of the student to provide the instructor with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which he or she will be absent. Absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve the student of responsibility for completing required work missed. Following the necessary notification, the student
- 9. V1.0 Page 9 of 9 should consult with the instructor to determine what appropriate alternative opportunity will be provided, allowing the student to fully complete his or her academic responsibilities. (As stated in The Academic Charter, B-II.G-4.b at: (http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/bgsu/file919.pdf). Student Veteran-Friendly Campus BGSU educators recognize student veterans’ rights when entering and exiting the university system. If you are a student veteran, please communicate with your instructor so reasonable accommodations can be made for absence when drilling or being called to active duty (See http://www.bgsu.edu/veteran/ for more information). University Closure In most cases, the University will not close for winter conditions unless the Wood County Sheriff’s Department declares a Level 3 emergency.1 Information about University-wide closures is communicated by the Office of Marketing and Communications, which will notify the University Fact Line, local FM & AM radio stations and the four Toledo television stations (see Weather Policy for lists). For changes in individual class meetings, please refer to the class Blackboard site for postings by the instructor. Online course delivery exception Online courses, unless otherwise stated, generally will not be affected by national holidays and/or University campus closures due to the asynchronous nature of course delivery. Any exceptions, such as technical problems, will be announced, and further instructions will be given at that time. 1 A Handbook of Commonly Shared Employment Policies for BGSU Faculty, Administrative and Classified Staff, “Severe Weather Closing Policy and Procedures,” http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/execvp/file8135.pdf