Long Title:Usability Design
Language of Instruction:English
Module Code:H8UDGN
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:LEVEL 8
Field of Study: Software and applications development and analysis
Module Delivered in 1 programme(s)
Module Coordinator: Damien Mac Namara
Module editor: Cheryl Cooney
Teaching and Learning Strategy: The learning strategy involves the use of lectures, and practical project work as appropriate. Learners will also have access to web based support. Practical assessments may be carried out in the usability lab at the National e-Learning Laboratory (NELL) located in the National College of Ireland
Learning Environment: Learning will take place in a computer lab environment with access IT resources. Learners will have access to library resources, both physical and electronic and to faculty outside of the classroom where required. Module materials will be placed on Moodle, the College’s virtual learning environment. This module is suitable for blended delivery. Techniques such as online videos and links to extra material available on the Internet, may be used. The practical work part of continuous assessment will be submitted online on Moodle.
Module Description: The aim of this module is to examine requirements elicitation techniques and provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyse the usability of web and mobile interfaces at every stage of the design process.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
LO1 Design and carry out usability tests to identify key issues with web sites and applications. Analyse, interpret and document the results.
LO2 Evaluate and select appropriate requirement elicitation methods, tools and techniques depending on product and target group.
LO3 Analyse and interpret elicitation outcomes. Synthesize and cluster behavioural variables. Document high-level requirements.
LO4 Evaluate and select appropriate design patterns suitable for the particular application. Analyse websites and web-applications in terms of their accessibility.
LO5 Create prototypes that demonstrate analysis and reflection on the requirements.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Requirements Elicitation Methodologies (10%)
Analysis of requirements elicitation methods such as surveys, focus groups, interviews and observation. Implementation of one or more methods relevant to the problem domain.
Requirements Elicitation Outcomes (10%)
Analysis of elicitation data into meaningful behavioural attributes and high-level requirements. Creation of a primary, secondary and mobile persona based on these requirements.
Prototyping (20%)
Evaluation and selection of appropriate desktop and mobile design patterns. Synthesis of low fidelity desktop and mobile wireframes that reflect requirements influenced by design pattern selection.
Usability Design (10%)
Selecting appropriate metrics for measurement such as effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.Setting benchmarks for identified metrics. Documentation of test objectives, scenario and test methodology.
Usability Evaluation (50%)
Application of two usability testing methodologies. Documentation of results under the headings of the selected metrics. Comparison of actual results to expected benchmarks. Critical analysis of process.
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Continuous Assessment (0200) Sample Assessment: A cross-module project, with software project, typically requiring learners to complete a web application accompanied by documentation outlining requirements elicitation and analysis, application and justification of software patterns and appropriate accessibility considerations, prototyping and analysis from a usability perspective. 1,2,3,4,5 100.00 n/a
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
Reassessment Description
Should a student fail the module, they may submit another completed project. As the module is 100% CA, there is no repeat examination. The completed project is submitted online by a certain deadline and assessed accordingly.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 2 Every Week 2.00
Tutorial No Description 1 Every Week 1.00
Independent Learning No Description 7.5 Once per semester 0.63
Total Hours 10.50
Total Weekly Learner Workload 3.63
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 24 Every Week 24.00
Tutorial No Description 12 Every Week 12.00
Independent Learning No Description 89 Once per semester 7.42
Total Hours 125.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 43.42
Total Weekly Contact Hours 36.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Raluca Budiu and Jakob Neilsen 2012, Mobile Usability, New Riders Press
  • Jared Spool , Jeffrey Rubin , Dana Chisnell 2008, Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Deign, and Conduct Effective Tests, Wiley
  • Jenifer Tidwell 2011, Designing Interfaces, 2nd Ed., O'Reilly Media [ISBN: 1449379702]
  • Steve Krug. 2014, Don't make me think, revisited, 3rd Ed., ; Pearson P T R [ISBN: 0321965515]
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
 

Module Delivered in

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
BSHC BSc (Honours) in Computing 8 Optional