ITM21616 User-centered Design (Spring 2019)

The course is connected to the following study programs

This course is compulsory in Bachelor in Digital Media and Design.

Elective course for others. 

Lecture Semester

4th semester (Spring).

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

The student

• is familiar with important theories and principles of user-centered design
• is familiar with methods and techniques for involving users in the design process, including prototyping
• is well acquainted with participatory design methods

Skills

The student is capable of

• practical application of theories and methods of involving users in the development of IT systems
• linking his/her own work to theories and concepts in the field of participatory design
• initiating, organising and implementing projects in participatory design
• applying knowledge of participatory design to new areas of application and user groups

General competence

The student

• has acquired competence in critical reading and reflection and has gained experience of project work in groups
• is capable of analysing relevant challenges associated with participatory design as a method of system development
• is capable of disseminating theories and challenges associated with participatory design and action research to both researchers and other groups of people

Content

The course comprises four main parts:

• An introduction to theories and concepts for involving users in design of information technology
• Principles and concepts of participatory design
• Methods and techniques of participatory design, including prototyping, in order to involve users in design of information technology
• Work in interdisciplinary groups

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures, seminars and project work.

If students from international partners attend courses, the lectures will be conducted in English.

Workload

Approx. 240 hours.

4 hours lectures per week, lab exercises and supervision

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

1. Reflection diary: the student must document their work and their reflections in writing in a reflection diary. The diary must be updated every week.
2. Presence: the student must be an active participant in all laboratory exercises and during all project presentations.

The coursework requirements must be approved before students may sit the exam.

Examination

Individual portfolio exam

Portfolio exam comprising of 3-4 assignments. The assignments must be submitted by given deadlines and in accordance with specifications issued by the course instructor. A grade will be awarded on the basis of an overall assessment.

Grading scale from A to F is used.

Examiners

The exam is assessed by the course instructor and an internal or external examiner.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

In the event of a resit or rescheduled examination, all parts of the portfolio must be re-submitted. Any resit or rescheduled examinations will have to be taken in connection with the next ordinary course examination.

Course evaluation

This course is evaluated by a

• Mid-term evaluation (compulsory)

The responsible for the course compiles a report based on the feedback from the students and his/her own experience with the course. The report is discussed by the study quality committee of the faculty of Computer Sciences.

Literature

The reading list is last updated May 14th 2018.

• Valentine, L. (2013) Prototype: Design and craft in the 21st century. Bloomsbury Academic, London
• Houde, S., & Hill, C. (1997). What do Prototypes Prototype? In Handbook of Human Computer Interaction (2nd ed., pp. 367–381). Elsvier Science.