Overview
This unit shows the importance of designing easy-to-use Web-based applications. Topics include the underlying theories of human-computer interaction, design principles, guidelines, evaluation, and social and individual impact. Practical hands-on include the design, development and testing of a Web-based application using contemporary software development tools.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: COIT11222 Programming Fundamentals
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit coordinator
Students tend to prioritise the coding aspects over engaging with the core principles and theories that underpin effective HCI.
During coding lessons, emphasise how appropriate design choices support the principles of human-computer interaction, demonstrating the connection between technical implementation and user-centered design.
- Describe the relationship between human computer interaction and interaction design
- Demonstrate the main principles of interactive design through critical evaluation of an appropriate interactive Web-based application.
- Demonstrate how human-computer interaction design and development methods are employed during the development of human-computer interaction prototypes and end user testing.
- Apply the knowledge of human-computer interaction design and development methods in the construction of a small interactive Web-based application.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets required in using appropriate software tools in the development of interactive Web-based application.
Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is in use in over 100 countries
and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and
role profiles.
ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA. The SFIA code is included:
- User experience analysis (UNAN)
- User experience evaluation (USEV)
- Information content publishing (ICPM)
- Program ming/software development (PROG)
- Testing (TEST)
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 35% | |||||
| 3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 45% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 35% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 45% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Notepad or Notepad ++
- Website browser: FireFox, IE, Chrome
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.chiou@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025Module/Topic
- Week 1 | Introduction Into HCI
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025Module/Topic
- Week 2 | Usability Heuristics
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025Module/Topic
- Week 3 | Interaction Design and Personas
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025Module/Topic
- Week 4 | Design, Prototyping & Construction
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025Module/Topic
- Week 5 | Evaluating Interface Designs
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025Module/Topic
- Week 6- HTML Introduction
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025Module/Topic
- Week 7- Getitng started with CSS
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 05 May 2025Module/Topic
- Week 8- Styling navigation with CSS
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 12 May 2025Module/Topic
- Week 9- Advanced CSS and responsive Design
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 19 May 2025Module/Topic
- Week 10- Media Query
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 26 May 2025Module/Topic
- Week 11 - JavaScript and Web forms
Chapter
Online reading list and resource
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025Module/Topic
- Week 12- Javascript 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 09 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 16 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
For queries regarding this Unit, please contact the Unit Coordinator:
Dr. Andrew Chiou
a.chiou@cqu.edu.au
1 Practical and Written Assessment
Synopsis
The objective of this assessment is to assess students' comprehension of the concepts and skills taught in the HCI Tutorials from Weeks 2 to 5. Students should combine all their tutorial answers from Weeks 2 to 5 into a single well-structured and formatted document and submit it by the due date of week 5.
Objective: To assess students' comprehension of the concepts and skills taught in the HCI Tutorials from Weeks 2 to 5.
Submission: Online via Moodle
Format: Submit a single document consolidating your tutorial answers from Weeks 2 to 5.
Length: Not predetermined - Refer to In-class tutorial questions for length requirements, if applicable.
Submission Requirements:
A. Combine all your tutorial answers from Weeks 2 to 5 into a single well-structured and formatted document (e.g., Word doc).
B. Save the document in either Microsoft Word or PDF format.
C. Use the following format for the file name: "Last Name_First Name_Student ID".
- All submissions must be original and free from plagiarism. Instances of plagiarism will lead to disciplinary action. If external sources or AI assistance were utilised, proper referencing must be included.
- Ensure that your name and student ID are clearly displayed at the top of the document.
Note: Submit the tutorials from Weeks 2 to 5 as a single, consolidated document by the assessment due date, rather than submitting them individually on a weekly basis or as separate files.
| Marking Criteria | Marks |
| Completeness of the document, including all tutorials from week 2 to 5 | 40 |
| Quality of content, including accuracy and presentation | 40 |
| Effective use of references where appropriate | 10 |
| Relevance of the design and/or implementation of solutions | 5 |
| Document or report presentation | 5 |
Week 5 Friday (11 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Online via Moodle
Marked assignments will be returned approximately 2 weeks after the submission deadline.
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will be used to assess the quality of your report:
Criteria
Relevance to Principles of HCI:
• Arguments and assertions are sound.
• Arguments and assertions are supported by HCI principles.
• Arguments are developed consistently and logically.
• Demonstrates understanding of the HCI subject matter and applying this competently to the review.
Presentation:
• Report professionally presented.
• Grammar and spelling.
• Written style and expression.
• Citation and references.
• Overall presentation.
• Within minimum and maximum word limit.
- Describe the relationship between human computer interaction and interaction design
- Demonstrate the main principles of interactive design through critical evaluation of an appropriate interactive Web-based application.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Practical and Written Assessment
Synopsis
The overall task is divided into two phases. The following description should be read as a whole for both Assessment 2 and Assessment 3.
Design and develop a website incorporating elements of human-computer interaction principles. The end result is to demonstrate the viability and user acceptance of the specific user interface employed by the website.
Assessment 2
- Carry out user and task analysis to gather user and system requirements.
- Based on the initial findings and the technical specification, develop a preliminary design (i.e. low-fidelity 'paper' prototype) of the specified user interface.
- The prototype will be used to test your initial design concepts and ideas.
- Submit a report documenting the prototype, design process, initial user feedback and recommendations on how to improve the design.
Assessment 3
- Based on the low-fidelity prototype developed in the previous phase (Assessment 2), develop a high-fidelity prototype as a proof-of-concept.
- Evaluate the prototype and carry out a user test.
- Submit a report documenting the prototype, design and development process, user test and any further work required.
Note that these are not programming projects in themselves. The primary purpose of both projects is to ensure that students adopt best practices and adhere closely to HCI principles during the process of designing and developing interactive user interfaces.
Week 7 Friday (2 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Online via Moodle
Marked assignments will be returned approximately 2 weeks after submission deadline.
- Overview and description of the project
- User and task analysis
- Alternative user tasks have been considered
- Design and system requirements
- Alternative designs have been considered
- User testing and feedback
- Adhere to HCI principles
- Main features of the initial design and intended purpose
- Low fidelity prototype
- Presentation (professionally presented, grammar and spelling clear)
- Demonstrate how human-computer interaction design and development methods are employed during the development of human-computer interaction prototypes and end user testing.
- Apply the knowledge of human-computer interaction design and development methods in the construction of a small interactive Web-based application.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets required in using appropriate software tools in the development of interactive Web-based application.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
3 Practical and Written Assessment
Assessment 3 is a continuation of Assessment 2. Please see the task description for Assessment 2 for details.
Week 11 Friday (30 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Online via Moodle
Marked assignments will be returned after exam certification date.
- Overview and description of project
- User test
- Walkthrough scenario
- Results for performance of the webpage
- Results for the test user performance
- Features
- Evidence of features working as described
- Innovative
- Recommendations
- High fidelity prototype
- Interface adheres to HCI principles
- Webpage functionality demonstrated
- Final usability and expert review of website
- Presentation (professionally presented, grammar and spelling clear)
- Demonstrate how human-computer interaction design and development methods are employed during the development of human-computer interaction prototypes and end user testing.
- Apply the knowledge of human-computer interaction design and development methods in the construction of a small interactive Web-based application.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets required in using appropriate software tools in the development of interactive Web-based application.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
