MMS2403 Human Computer Interaction for Multimedia , Unit Information Guide (Semester 1, 2006)

This unit will provide a detailed understanding of the principles and practices involved in the creation and implementation of user-centred interaction with multimedia products and systems in business, entertainment, education and social environments. Focus will be on the development of multimedia that enhances the efficiency, safety, functionality usability and the aesthetic appeal of the user experience with multimedia at the interface between the user and the technology that is the development of technologies, tools, which aid the human mind (cognitive artifacts). This unit will explore both technologically determinist arguments and the socially deterministic ways in which technology might conform to human use and abilities.

Topics to be covered include: cognitive psychology, ergonomics, health and safety issues relating to interaction, interface design and implementation, evaluation and testing, affective aspects of technology, social implications of Human-Multimedia (Computer) interaction.

• have knowledge of the concepts of cognitive science and the physiology of human perception and the importance of these disciplines to interface design for multimedia systems and products
• understand the importance of psychological characteristics and capabilities of the user in the design and implementation of multimedia interfaces
• appreciate the principles of user-centred interface design and the ways in which they might be implemented

• appreciate importance of the role of the interface designer/developer as the mediator between the multimedia product and the user
• appreciate the importance of ergonomic, health and safety issues in the development of user-centric multimedia interfaces

• integrate existing technological skills acquired from MMS1402 and MMS2402 students will construct multimedia products and systems using principles of user-centred interface design
• design, create and implement interfaces appropriate to both content and context
• identify and evaluate the cognitive, physical and social contexts in which the user will interact with a multimedia product or system
• evaluate existing interfaces in relation to user-centric principles

• design with an understanding of the effects of their own cultural/social background and preconceptions
• evaluate their own and others interface design and implementation in relation to user-centric principles
• enable them to design, create and implement interface systems appropriate for use by individuals from diverse educational, social and cultural backgrounds and diverse cognitive styles

MMS2403 builds on material covered in MMS1402 Creating Digital Content, MMS2402 Digital Media Authoring and the Studio units. The subject is focused on student-centred learning where you will learn by doing. You will be encouraged to think independently. You will apply the material covered in current and future Studio units.

Required text(s)

“The book draws on the authors’ extensive experience in research and teaching. A self-contained introduction to the area is followed by a systematic discussion of the influence of human psychology on the design of interactive systems, illustrated by many real-world examples. Next, a practical scenario-based design method and techniques are presented. Later sections treat hot topics such as affective computing, social navigation and computer supported co-operative work. A range of current methods, including contextual design and the latest thinking in evaluation, are treated in detail. These more advanced, research-led chapters encourage the reader to reflect critically on the domain as a whole.” (quote from back cover)

Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

Software requirements:

Graphic Development: Photoshop CS and Illustrator CS/CS2

Template Development: Director MX

Students can access these packages during the tutorials in the computer labs or studios.

Hardware requirements:

Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

The following recommended texts are available from the Berwick library. Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G.B., Beale, R. (2004) Human-Computer Interaction (3rd Edition) Harlow, England: Prentice Hall ISBN: 0130-461091

Study resources for MMS2403 are:

The MMS2304 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications and supplementary material will be posted.

Newsgroups/discussion groups that can be linked to from the Unit Homepage

Postings include:
Additional Detailed Assessment and Syllabus Information (posted on MUSO)
Weekly Focus Questions and Tutorial Notes (posted on MUSO)
Assessment Task Templates and Instructions (posted on MUSO)
Additional Internet Readings (posted on MUSO)

The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+

Assessment for the unit consists of 3 assignments with a weighting of 75% and an examination with a weighting of 25%. Read this section VERY carefully.

Assessment 1 (20%)

Design an electronic prototype of an interface that maps an information structure onto a visual metaphor including 3 screens and a short justification of the metaphor used and the specifying the formatting of major screen elements.

Assessment 2 (25%)

Design, document and create a Wizard to guide a user through a five to ten step process, in the Director template supplied. Each step will consist of one or more choices or interactions and you will need to display three examples of the results of user selections at the conclusion of the process. A short statement detailing the task, the steps in the process and some sample outcomes, and the specifying the formatting of major screen elements (duplicate from roll over descriptions in the template), will also be required.

Assessment 3 (30%)

Design and implement an interface based on a period of art ,OR a game genre, including five screen types, rollovers and descriptions of all screen elements, in the Director template supplied. A short statement detailing the graphic design decisions made, the graphic design conventions used, and the specifying the formatting of major screen elements (duplicate from roll over descriptions in the template), will also be required.

Exam (25%)

An examination based on the content delivered in lectures, tutorials, the set text and set readings.

To pass this unit you must:

Must attempt all assessment tasks.

Must obtain a total score from all assessment tasks of 50% or more.

Must attend a minimum of 80% of both lectures and tutorials, unless medical certificates are provided.

Your score for the unit will be calculated by:

The final grade will be calculated by adding individual scores for all component assessment items which may be scaled.

Assessment Requirements

Assignment specifications will be made available Posted on Unit MUSO site. Information about assignments will be published on the Unit's Notices Newsgroup.

Assignments will be submitted by electronic (a labelled CD) and paper (documentation only) submission to Assignment boxes in Building 903 Level 1. On-campus Students Submit the assignment to the Assignment boxes in Building 903 Level 1 by the appropriate submission date, with the appropriate cover sheet correctly filled out and attached. The due date is the date by which the submission must be received.

Late submission of assignments

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of a 10% reduction in grade for each day (including weekends) the assisnment is late. LAte submissions MUST be time stamped and initialled when submitted. Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not normally be accepted.

This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment. 

Extensions

It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. 

Requests for extensions must be made by using the standard SMS 'Extension Request' to their unit adviser, at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Grading of assessment

Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:

We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.

You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.

You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

For ALL e-mail communication please preface the subject with: MMS2403 - then subject

Due to the nature of the assessment tasks students will need to make an appointment to see the lecturer during their consultation times, as often issues need to be demonstrated for a better understanding of the problem (particularly when using templates).

Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices Newsgroup in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.

Consultation Times

Monday: 1pm - 3pm

Tuesday: 1pm - 5pm

If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:

Ms Cheryl Howard
Lecturer
Phone +61 3 990 47158

Ms Cheryl Rooney
Administrative Officer to Head
Phone +61 3 9594 4491
Fax +61 3 9594 6259

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All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.