University of Indonesia

Faculty of Computer Science

Course Syllabus
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

Instructor

Ronald E. Simamora, M.Sc

Course Objective
The objective of this course is to learn major Human-Computer Interaction techniques, such as
design methodology (e.g.: Principles and methodologies of design, wireframe, brainstorming,
etc), prototyping techniques (e.g.: low and high fidelity prototyping), ethnography-based user
studies (e.g.: contextual inquiry), usability testing techniques (usability test, heuristic evaluation)
and focus group. Students will have opportunities to apply those techniques to actual design
activities throughout this course. There will be group projects which apply to the HCI techniques
that students learn from this course.

Hence:
• Students must understand the definition of HCI and its design principles..
• Students must understand the basic knowledge of wireframe, contextual inquiry, affinity
diagram, usability test, focus group, user studies and evaluation for HCI.
• Students must be able to adopt, improve and apply the HCI techniques for their design
projects.

Method of Delivery
It is in class and collaborative learning. Class materials (power point) will be available in the
SCELE.

Technology Use

Several technologies used throughout the course are Flash, Photoshop, IE and so on. The design
projects expected in this course are partially working (i.e.: not fully working is fine). Students are
expected to know basic Microsoft programs.

Grading
Deliverable Percentage
Class Participation 10%
Individual Assignments 10%
Group Project 1 20%
Group Project 2 20%
Midterm 20%
Final (Cumulative) 20%
Total 100%
Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. For every six absences, your grade will be lowered one step. If you
miss six classes and your grade is supposed to be A, you will receive an A- . However, if you
provide a medical letter for your absence or have urgent reasons for your absence, an exception
will be arranged.

Grade Percentage

A+ > 100%
A 91 – 100%
A- 86 – 90%
B+ 81 – 85%
B 76 – 80%
B- 71 – 75%
C+ 66 – 70%
C 61 – 65%
C- 57 – 60%
D < 57%

Readings

There will be readings that are related to this course to help students learn more in depth about
Human-Computer Interaction. Readings will be explained in class.

Group Projects
Throughout this course, there will be two group projects. Group members will be assigned by the
instructor and each project will have different members. If you pass the deadline, your grade will
be lowered by 5 points each day. No project will be accepted after two weeks of the deadline.

Criteria:
1. Contents
• How creative are your design projects?
• How insightful are your findings, approaches and ideas?
• How well do you apply HCI methods in your projects?
2. Work Activities
• How much research and design works do you put yourself in the projects?
• How well do you work collectively with your group members?
(There will be a team evaluation submitted at the end of each group project.)
3. Presentation
• How well do you present your projects?

Assignments
There will be six individual assignments but the lowest grade of your assignments will be
dropped (i.e.: there are five graded assignments in total). Students are expected to work by
themselves. Plagiarism is exceptionally prohibited and there will be a harsh penalty for those who
commit this academic misconduct.

Midterm
Midterm exam will cover materials from the first day of class to mid-semester.

Final
Final exam will be cumulative which covers materials from the first day to the end of class. To
help students, there will be a review session for this final exam.

Extra Credits
To help you boost your grades, extra credits will be provided. Depending on class materials, there
will be extra work for you.

Textbook
Textbook is not required in this course. However, students need to read articles or journals about
Human-Computer Interaction.

Schedule Table

This course schedule is tentative and it may change during the course.

Week Topic Sub-topic Projects/Assignments

1 HCI Introduction What is HCI?
Background of HCI
History of HCI
Design Principles
2 HCI Design Design Persona Assignment 1
Methodologies Design Predisposition
Design Research
Design Insight
Design Concept
Design Strategy
3 HCI Guidelines HCI Guidelines

4 Prototyping, User- Low vs high fidelity prototyping Assignment 2:

centered design, User
engineering life cycle
5 Ethnographic Studies
6 Usability Test
7 Usability Test
Eight golden rules of interface prototyping exercise
design, wireframe, storyboards, e-
learning, LUCID, etc
Contextual Inquiry in HCI, Assignment 3:
Affinity diagram Contextual inquiry
exercise
The use of usability test in HCI
design
Acceptance Tests, other test
 (cont’d) methods (heuristic evaluation)
8 Focus group Conducting focus group in design,
heuristic evaluation
9 Group Presentation &
Midterm
10 Participatory Design What is participatory design? Assignment 4:
participatory design
11 Interaction Style 1 Wysiwyg, Marcus' icon design, Assignment 5:
iterative design, virtual interaction style
environments
12 Interaction Style 2 Museum port, games, Menu
selection, form filling, dialog
boxes, interactive design
13 Accessibility & Assignment 6: design
Navigation issues
14 Design Issues
15 Final