Goals and objectives
Course outline
Computing requirements
How do I communicate?
How will I learn?
How will I be graded?
How do I start?

2. Introducing human-computer interaction

What is a user interface?

A simple example
How people work
How systems work
Attributes of a good interface
Leveraging our cognitive skills
Leveraging our perceptual skills

User-centered design process

User-centered design process
Design iteration
Analysis phase
Design phase
Verification phase
Benefits of the process
Mapping usability testing to the design process

User interface design framework

Functional layer
Organization and navigation layer
Behavioral layer
Perceptual layer

User interface design roles

3. Introducing usability testing

What is usability?
A brief history of usability
What is usability testing?
What does usability testing involve?
Why perform usability tests?
What are the costs of not doing usability testing?
Where is the value?
What does it mean in terms of productivity?
Who is doing it?
Quiz
Assignment 1

Prepare your letter
Submit the assignment

4. Planning the test

The process and plan

The usability test process
The usability test plan

Creating the test objectives

Test objectives

Defining the user profile

Establishing broad user segments
Establishing specific user segments
Finding participants
How many participants do I need?

Selecting a test type

Test type overview
Focus group method
One-on-one interview method
Field study method
Self-guided questionnaire or survey method
Expert heuristic method
Walkthrough method
Feature inspection method
Think-aloud method
Co-discovery method
Guided interaction method
Wizard of oz method
System benchmarking method
Self-administered user reviews
Self-administered user logs
Option: Running your tests online
Option: Videotaping your tests
Option: Using comparisons in your tests

Creating the test materials

Materials overview
Questionnaires in general
Types of questions
Screening questionnaires
Background questionnaires
Pretest questionnaires
Post-test questionnaires
Debriefing scripts
Task scenarios
Prototypes
Beta-test software
Data logging forms
Nondisclosure agreements
Common materials checklist

Selecting the test environment

Basic lab
Lab with video recording
Lab with observation room
Focus group lab

Quiz
Assignment 2

Select a test
Prepare these materials
Compress the files
Upload the assignment to your instructor for marking

Assignment 3

Prepare these materials
Compress the files
Upload the assignment to your instructor for marking

5. Conducting the test

Conducting one-on-one interviews
Observing tasks in one-on-one interviews
Conducting focus group interviews
Conducting expert heuristic evaluations
Recording feedback
Quiz

6. Analyzing and reporting the results

Categorizing the data

Quantitative data analysis
Qualitative data analysis
Other names for qualitative and quantitative data analysis
Setting criteria for quantitative measures
Tabulating quantitative measures
Task timings
Task accuracy
Tabulating qualitative questions
Categorize data based on performance
Categorize data based on global or local
Categorize data based on ease of repair
Summarize the findings
Consider your audience

Writing the report

Common industry report format

Quiz
Assignment 4

Prepare these materials
Compress the files
Upload the assignment to your instructor for marking

7. General reference

Web-based references
Other references

8. Report reference manual

Introduction
Purpose of Report Writing
What is Reporting?
Elements of Reporting

Narrative
Context
Audience
Content and Evidence
Style
Form and Structure

A Reporting Spectrum

Graphical representation
Scientific Report
News Article
Academic Report
Announcement
Speech/Address
Magazine article
Story
Reporting in Different Styles

Formatting Your Information

Preliminary Pages
Main Section
Conclusion
Recommendations
References
Glossary (optional)
Appendix (optional)

Conclusion
References

9. Audience reference manual

Introduction
What is an audience?

Types of audiences
Captive audiences
Non-captive audiences
Experts, technicians, executives, and non-specialist audiences
Primary, secondary and tertiary audiences
Real or intended audience

Audience analysis

Analyze your audience
Identify the characteristics of the audience
Assess the objectives and needs of the audience
Create an audience profile

Write for your audience

Meet your audience's needs
Set standards in style, form, graphics, and design
Be careful about assumptions

Conclusion
Bibliography