CSC8604 : Technologies for Human-Computer Interaction
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Vasilis Vlachokyriakos
- Lecturer: Dr Nick Taylor
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to provide an overview of digital technologies and core data analysis methods, as they are
required for the field of HCI. Thereby focusing on ubiquitous, physical and social computing. In particular the module aims:
1. To introduce students to relevant digital technologies that build the technical foundation of HCI research,
thereby focusing on physical and social computing;
2. To introduce students to key aspects of practical deployments of digital technologies in HCI research, incl.
privacy related considerations;
3. To explore methods of sensor data analysis for real-world deployments of HCI and Ubiquitous Computing
technology;
4. To support students in critically evaluating and selecting appropriate technological means for HCI research;
5. To provide students with hands-on experience of using digital technologies in HCI research.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Introduction to HCI research from a technical perspective
a. HCI: Research based on Digital Technologies
b. Overview of Ubicomp, physical, and social computing.
c. Systems for real-world deployments
d. Core components of ubicomp systems.
e. How to build ubicomp systems in real-world applications?
f. How to evaluate the effectiveness of ubicomp systems?
2. Sensors and sensor data analysis
a. Wearable sensing
b. Environmental / Smart sensing
c. Sequential sensing and sequential data analysis
3. Context aware computing
a. Location aware and proxemics
b. Context aware applications
c. Designing and implementing context aware applications
4. Physical Computing
a. Sensing the real world: toolkits and frameworks
b. Building IoT and embedded technologies.
c. DIY technology and grassroots technology platforms
5. Social Computing: privacy & security
a. Understanding privacy & security
b. Technical solutions for privacy in technical systems
6. Emerging Technologies & Innovation: trends and critical discussions
a. Exploring new trends in technology
b. Digital Inclusion and democratised access to technology
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 10 | 5:00 | 50:00 | Project work and report preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | PiP lecture- Introductory lectures, one hour per thematic area of technologies for HCI |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 12 | 6:00 | 72:00 | Seminar/Workshop Preparation - preparatory reading and practice for taught sessions |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 18 | 0:30 | 9:00 | Non-synchronous online delivery of video tutorials to support the practical aspect of the module. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | Practical sessions - setting up technologies for discussion, feedback and Q&A online- asynchronous |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 12 | 2:00 | 24:00 | Post-practical practice - reading and software development practice |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | PiP flipped-classroom - discussion and small group activities on lecture materials and papers. |
| Total | 185:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Topic-specific lecture/seminars will require student to undertake substantial prior reading will also the teaching to focus of collective exploration of the students understanding of the technical issues that are likely to be new to students without a background in computer science. The seminars will also provide and opportunity for peer learning that will be extended through the conduct of group-based practical sessions in which students will collaboratively engage in exercises that emphasise practical skills appraising and critically evaluating HCI technologies.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 2 | M | 70 | Artefact and Report: Group project: artefact + report + individual reflections. |
| Portfolio | 2 | M | 30 | Presentation and Demonstration: Group project: presentation + demonstration |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 2 | M | Use interactive tools (e.g. Dropbox Paper, Adobe XD etc.) to create a low-fidelity representation of the prototype you will develop. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Given that the emphasis of the module is on the development of abilities to select and critically appraise HCI technologies, the group project assessment requires students to put these knowledge and skills into practice by collaborating in the design, development and evaluation of a system that incorporates elements of ubicomp, physical and social computing. By working in small groups (4-5) students will have the opportunity to engage in a project of an appropriate scale and complexity, but this also affords the opportunity for further peer-learning (thereby leveraging the likely multiple disciplinary backgrounds of the students them-selves). The formative assessment will allow students to experiment with interactive media technologies, while also giving them feedback for their group projects.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8604's Timetable