Fall 2017 - IAT 432 D100

Design Evaluation (3)

Class Number: 5125

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 6, 2017
    Wed, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    Completion of 63 units. Recommended: IAT 201 and 235.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines evaluation concepts and methods for designers. Introduces a range of evaluation approaches including informal usability studies, lab experiments, field studies, and analytically-based evaluations. Students will explore techniques for feedback including usability tests, observation, interviews, heuristic reviews, and discursive evaluations. Underlying concepts of evaluation including scientific experimentation, ethnography, phenomenology, and aesthetics will be discussed. Students will learn how to design and implement appropriate evaluation studies for a range of design projects. Students with credit for IAT 332 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Examines evaluation concepts and methods for designers.  Introduces a range of evaluation approaches including informal usability studies, lab experiments, field studies and analytically-based evaluations.  Students will explore techniques for feedback including usability tests, observation, interviews, heuristic reviews and discursive evaluations.  Underlying concepts of evaluation including scientific experimentation, ethnography, phenomenology, and aesthetics will be discussed. Students will learn how to design and implement appropriate evaluation studies for a range of design projects.  

Topics: This course examines evaluation concepts and methods for interaction designers. Evaluation in Interaction Design is challenged by the breadth of issues to be evaluated.  For this reason, evaluation spans a range of approaches including interpretive analysis, empirical studies, and scientific analysis.  This course will enable students to design appropriate evaluation studies for a range of design situations and user experiences.   The course analyzes a range of evaluation approaches including informal evaluation, usability studies, field studies, heuristics, critique, and discursive evaluation.  Students will explore techniques for feedback including observation, interviews, expert reviews, modeling, and critical analysis.  Underlying concepts of evaluation including scientific observation, ethnography, phenomenology and aesthetics will be discussed.  Students will learn how to design and implement appropriate evaluation studies for a range of computing environments.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to:
·         understand the underlying concepts of evaluation and the differences between design evaluation methods including scientific observation, ethnography, and phenomenology
·         apply and analyze aspects of evaluation within a design situation including the users, stakeholders, context and outcome
·         create and apply a range of evaluation techniques such as observation, interviews, expert reviews, modeling, and critical analysis to a design situation
·         analyze the results from a range of design evaluation techniques
·         document the results of a design evaluation verbally and in written format

Grading

  • Individual Assignments 40%
  • Group Assignments 30%
  • Exam 30%

NOTES:

Your total course grade will consist of the following percentage breakdown:

  • 40% Individual Assignments 
  • 30% Group Assignments 
  • 30% Exam
Students must get at least 50% in each of the above components of the course in order to pass.  

In the case of team / group assignments, they must be completed as a group with your respective team members or you will receive 0 marks for them.  All individual components must be completed individually or you will receive 0 marks for them.  

Your TA and Instructor will have final say over who are your group/team members.

At the discretion of the current instructor, you can earn up to 2% bonus by participating in designated research studies within SIAT as a learning experience to broaden your understanding of research in interactive arts and technology.  This includes 1% per study that you participate in.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

“Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design & Conduct Effective Tests” (2008) by Jeffrey Rubin, Dana Chisnell, Jared Spool; 2nd Edition; Wiley.
Note: this is available as an ebook in the library.
ISBN: 9780470185483

RECOMMENDED READING:

“Doing Psychology Experiments” (2007) by David Martin; 7th Edition; Nelson
ISBN: 9780495115779

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS