CS 342 Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction

Professor Adler's Spring 2021 Dynamic Course Outline

This schedule is tentative and may change throughout the semester.
All work must be submitted on time! All homework is due Thursdays BEFORE 4pm.

Download Syllabus [PDF] [WORD]

Week Topic Videos Homework
1: (Ending Jan 14) Introduction Introduction:
  1. The Website
  2. The Syllabus
  3. Desire2Learn (D2L)
  4. How Readings Works
Video Lectures:
  1. Introduction to HCI
  2. Bad Doors!
Good and Bad Designs:
  1. A Better Measuring Cup
  2. Bad Doors Video

Due Thursday January 14 before 4pm

Click below for more details.

Go to the D2L Discussion board titled Getting to Know You under the D2L Discussions Tab.
  1. Introduce yourself by answer the following questions:
    1. What is your major?
    2. Which (if any) computer science courses have you taken or are currently taking?
    3. What do you consider your best skills to be (these do not need to relate to computers, example organization, project leader, etc.)?
    4. What would you like to do after you graduate?
  2. Remember you must reply to at least TWO of your classmates' threads to receive full credit.
Go to the D2L Discussion board titled Good and Bad Design under the D2L Discussions Tab.
  1. Read any two of the articles listed in the readings assigned this week.
  2. Create one thread and in it comment on something you agree or disagree with from each article (Cite which article!).
  3. Why do you feel it is/isn't important in good design? Your answer should be thought out. Provide an example if you can.
  4. Reply to at least two of your classmates' threads.
2: (Ending Jan 21) Good and Bad Design Video Lectures:
  1. Good and Bad Designs
  2. Product Review - HW explained

Due Thursday January 21 before 4pm

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Submit your file directly to the folder titled Product Review under the D2L Assignments tab:
  1. Pick a product that you like and write a product review. In this review, please touch upon the aspects of good design, bad design and contrast its features with a product, in the same category, that you think has a bad design.
  2. Include photos (or links to the image) of the good design AND a competing product with a worse design.
  3. Remember what we learned on how to write a good review.
  4. Note: If you can't think of a product you like, you may choose a product you dislike, but keep in mind the same criteria (touch upon aspects of good and bad design, contrast it with a product you think has a good design, and include images of both).
  5. The review must be in your own words. Plagiarism will be checked.
3: (Ending Jan 28) Visual Design Video Lectures:
  1. Visual Design and Expectations
  2. Affordances and Information Scent

Due Thursday January 28 before 4pm

Click below for more details.

Go to the D2L Discussion board titled Visual Design under the D2L Discussions Tab.
  1. Read any two of the articles listed in the readings assigned this week.
  2. Discuss a few principles you agree are important in design from each article (cite which article!).
  3. Please touch upon BOTH of these concepts: affordances and conventions.
  4. Reply to at least two of your classmates' threads.
Submit your file directly to the folder titled Website Design under the D2L Assignments tab:
4: (Ending Feb 4) Qualitative Research/Needfinding Video Lectures:
  1. Qualitative Research
  2. Needfinding
Homework:
  1. Ethnography Assignment
  2. Choose Topic & Team Leader

Due Thursday February 4 before 4pm

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Submit your file directly to the folder titled Ethnography under the D2L Assignments tab:
Email your submission to me:
5: (Ending Feb 11) Storyboard Video Lecture:
  1. Storyboards
Storyboard Links:
  1. Create Storyboards and Star People
  2. Sample Storyboard
NEIU Sample Project Storyboards:
  1. Storyboard 1
  2. Storyboard 2
Project Explanation:
  1. Needfinding Project Assignment

Due Thursday February 11 before 4pm

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Submit your file directly to the folder titled Needfinding under the D2L Assignments tab:
6: (Ending Feb 18) Prototypes
7: (Ending Feb 25) Heuristic Evaluation
8: (Ending Mar 4) Usability Testing
9: (Ending Mar 11) Evaluating our Prototypes
(Ending Mar 18)  No Class - Spring Break
10: (Ending Mar 25)  Accessibility
11: (Ending Apr 1)  Accessibility Continued
12: (Ending Apr 8)  Designing Experiments
13: (Ending Apr 15) Analyzing Experiments
14: (Ending Apr 22) Accessibility Design Lab
15: (Ending Apr 29) Work on Final Projects
Finals Week: (Ending May 6)  Final Project