NDAK15012U Advanced Topics in Human-Centered Computing (ATHCC)

Volume 2017/2018
Content

The aim of the course is to introduce participants to advanced topics in human-centered computing (HCC). HCC spans computer-supported cooperative work, human-computer interaction, participatory design, software development, and advanced interaction techniques.

Participants will read current and classic papers on HCC and discuss them in-depth. In addition, they will hand in four written assignments on parts of HCC that will be used to grade the course. One of these assignments is a log of notes from reading and questions for the papers read; the others are about particular topics in HCC for which a literature survey or analysis is required. 

The topics discussed in the course are intended to inspire students to pick topics for their master theses.

 

Learning Outcome

Knowledge of:

  • human-centered computing (HCC)
  • current research topics in HCC, including user experience, advanced user interfaces, collaboration supported by computers, and methods for developing user interfaces. 
  • research methods in HCC, including their relative benefits and drawback, and concepts such as validity, reliability, generalizability, precision, and realism. 

 

Competences in:

  • analyzing scientific papers, including considerations on users, tasks, the context of use, and technologies.
  • discussing scientific work in HCC, in particular the relation betweeen construction of interfaces, understanding users, and conceptually-driven work.
  • identifying poor and good arguments in HCC.

 

Skills in:

  • dealing with the scientific literature in HCC and analyzing it with respect to models of interaction, collaboration, and experience.
  • retrieving and synthesizing the literature within a new area, emphasing the relation to human use of technology and the major phenomena surrounding such phenomena.
  • formulating questions of interest to research in HCC and discussing their relation to open research problems in HCC. 

Selected papers and book chapters. See Absalon when the course is set up.

Some introduction to parts of human-centered computing, for instance through courses on Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, User-centered Design, or the like.
Classroom discussions and assignments.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 18
  • Practical exercises
  • 16
  • Preparation
  • 72
  • Project work
  • 100
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Students are graded on an overall assessment of the four assignments that they hand in.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Resubmission of (possibly revised) assignments. The revised assignments have to be handed in no later than 2 weeks before the reexam week.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome.