Human-Computer Interaction for Mobile Application Design

Ben Gurion University
364–1–1201

University of Primorska
Human-Computer Interaction

This class introduces the fundamental human-computer interaction methods for the design, implementation, and evaluation of mobile user interfaces and mobile apps. The emphasis is on user-centered design, human abilities, design thinking, and prototyping tools to create rich user experiences. Stepping away from the traditional stand-and-teach lecture style, this course focuses on prototyping techniques for Human-Computer Interaction from the theory to hands-on work. In this course, you will learn how to design technologies that people will enjoy!

This class is international! The students will learn from the teaching staff at BGU and the UP. Students will work together in mixed teams with students from both countries.

This will be a unique opportunity to meet others with similar interests, learn about a new culture, and make new friends!

PROJECTS

Bi-national teams of students will participate in three projects throughout the semester. For each project, the teams will design and build a prototype around a set of needs. The teams are tasked with deliverables throughout the semester. The final project will give the team an opportunity to take one of the projects towards a functional proof-of-concept that is presented in slides, posters, and demos at the Project Fair in front of international jury.

PROJECT NO. 1 - Design for Quality Education

TBA

 

PROJECT NO. 2 - Design for Affordable and Clean Energy

TBA

PROJECT TYPE NO. 3 - Design for Gender Equality

TBA



TIMETABLE

Please note the dates as attendance is mandatory and graded! The classes run from 4pm to 7pm CET and from 5pm to 8pm Israel time. Students are expected to watch some of the videos before coming to class.

DATE TOPICS VIDEOS ASSIGNMENT
GIVEN
ASSIGNMENT
DUE
GRADE DUE
06/10 Welcome & intro class - UP only
Pre class Pre-class preparations Definition
History of HCI
27/10 Need Finding Design discovery and Need definition. Project 1
03/11 Conceptualization Tasks and task flow. Sketching and Storyboarding.
10/11 Ideation Ideation process, Tasks and task flow.
17/11 Design Exploration Sketching and Storyboarding. Project 2 Project 1
24/11 Prototyping 1 Rapid prototyping techniques.
01/12 Evaluating 1 Cognitive walkthrough and usability testing. Project 3 Project 2
08/12 Prototyping 2 Wireframe prototypes and visual information design.
15/12 Evaluating 2 Heuristic evaluation.
22/12 Mental Models Conceptual models and Interface metaphors. Final project Project 3
29/12 Xmas special - BGU only hybrid class Programming activity for Israeli students – peer-programming / hackathon.
05/01 Interaction Multimodal interaction and Wizard of Oz.
12/01 Human Abilities Human perception, cognitive processes, human actions, feelings and experiences.
19/01 Project Expo (Hybrid) In class presentation of the final project in front of a jury composed of international experts. Final project

Note: There might be changes in the topics and / or timing of the lectures.
Team projects will be conducted both in class and as part of the assignments.

TEACHING STAFF

Lecturers

Dr. Jessica Cauchard
-

Ben Gurion University
of the Negev

jessicacauchard.com

Dr. Matjaž Kljun
-

University of Primorska

pim.famnit.upr.si

Teaching Assistants

Vivian Herdel
-

Ben Gurion University
of the Negev

Cuauhtli Mijangos Campos
-

University of Primorska

LOGISTICS

Grading structure

Component Weight
Group Project (group grade) You will develop skills in designing and prototyping mobile applications. This is an on-going effort throughout the entire course across three assignments. Teamwork is key to this course and projects will be presented in class at various stages for the benefit and learning of all teams. This grade is divided in three assignments: 10% each. 30
Final Project (group grade) You will choose your best project and present it as a final project. 10
Individual Contribution (individual grade) Individual contribution to the group project (peer graded by the other group members). 20
Presentation (individual grade) Final presentation. 10
Quiz (individual grade) There will be two (or three) in-class quizzes, each accounting for 10% of the final grade (in case of three quizzes two best will be taken into account). 20
Class participation (individual grade) You are expected to attend and participate in class. This will account for your final grade. 10
Total 100
Late policy: no lates on group assignments.

There is no final exam and no “Pass” requirement regarding the final exam.

The grades will be awarded as: excellent, very good, good, satisfactory, passing, or failed and will be converted to the Israeli or Slovenian system accordingly.

Assignments

Students will complete most of their work in teams. There are 3 group projects, each including presentations and write-ups. There will also be a final project including a pitch-slide, a poster, and a final presentation in front of a jury composed of international experts. Additionally, there are 2 quizzes and individual contributions grade.

RESOURCES

Online Tools: Links and Tutorials

Participating in the course activities

Miro miro.com/index/

Miro tutorial youtu.be/pULLAEmhSho

Prototyping

Axure www.axure.com/edu

Balsamic www.balsamic.com

Brainstorming

Miro www.miro.com

Multimedia

Vector graphics Inkscape inkscape.org

Bitmap editor Gimp www.gimp.org

Video editor kdenlive kdenlive.org

Video editor OpenShot www.openshot.org

Audio editor Audacity www.audacityteam.org

Course textbooks

  1. Norman, D. (2013). The design of everyday things: Revised and expanded edition. Constellation.
  2. Dix A., Finlay J., Abowd G.D., Beale R.: Human Computer Interaction, Third Edition, Prentice Hall, 2003.
  3. Rogers Y., Sharp H., Preece J.: Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.
  4. Shneiderman, B., Plaisant, C., Cohen, M., Jacobs, S., Elmqvist, N., & Diakopoulos, N. (2016). Designing the user interface: strategies for effective human-computer interaction. 6th Edition. Pearson.

This course is part of the WILLIAM Erasmus+ Capacity Building Initiative for Internationalization at
Home
and co-funded by the EU Commission. We thank the WILLIAM program for giving us the
opportunity to run this course.