Class meetings: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-10:45; 304 Manning Hall

Course Description

Prerequisites

INLS 162, Systems Analysis; or permission of instructor.

Overview

This course will introduce basic principles relevant to the design of the human interface to computer-mediated information systems. The major topics to be discussed include the characteristics of information system users, the characteristics of tasks supported by information systems, the interface design process, and methods for evaluating an interface design.

Rationale and relationship to the current curriculum

This course is designed to prepare students to participate in the design of information system interfaces. Its content is dependent on prior knowledge gained in Systems Analysis (INLS 162), which focuses on analyzing and designing the functions that systems perform, and is complementary to Database I (INLS 157), which focuses on organizing the data provided by information systems. INLS 257 will also introduce students to the methods used in the evaluation of system interfaces. This course is a prerequisite for INLS 357, Seminar in Human-Computer Interaction.

Textbooks and Readings

Stone, D., Jarrett, C., Woodroffe, M., & Minocha, S. (2005). User Interface Design and Evaluation. Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann. (Available at UNC Student Stores)

Additional readings are assigned (see the class schedule). These readings will be made available electronically, through the class schedule, or on reserve in the SILS Library.

Assignments and Evaluation

The final grade will be based on six assignments and class participation:

• assignments 1-4: the design and prototyping of the user interface for a new software package (developed individually or in small teams), ready for demonstration on March 21 (assn. 4), with full documentation due April 4 (50%). Instructor feedback will be provided on drafts of the user analysis (assn. 1, due January 31), the task description (assn. 2, due February 21), and at least two design decision rationales (assn. 3, due March 2);
• assignment 5: a usability inspection of the interface design of a classmate, along with your response to a classmate's evaluation of your design, due April 18 (20%);
• assignment 6: a written proposal for a usability test of your prototype design, due May 2 at noon (20%); and
• class participation throughout the course (10%).

Honor Code

The Honor Code, which prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the completion of assignments, is in effect in this class. It should be noted, however, that students are expected to receive (and provide) some assistance regarding the use of hardware and software in the computer lab. Students should NOT receive (or provide) major creative assistance or continuous minor support.

Library and Lab Resources

You will be using the SILS library and IT services during the course of the semester. Please remember that many of your fellow students also need to use the same resources. Follow the proper checkout procedures for library materials and return them promptly to be a good SILS citizen.

Syllabus / Schedule (today) / Assignments / Class Roster / Discussion Forum (INLS257-001, 257) / Email to class: inls257, listserv.unc.edu