AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the module is to provide the theoretical foundations and the methodological tools for the ergonomic design of interactive systems and interfaces, according to the principles of User Centered Design. At the end of the course students will be able to: - Describe the human-machine interaction according to the principles of user-centered design - Design systems and services according to the principles of usability and cognitive ergonomics - Conduct usability analysis of services and systems

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to train professionals that will be able to design interactive systems in accordance with the principles of cognitive ergonomics and usability.

The expected learning outcomes are related to the understanding of the cognitive dynamics involved in the use of interactive tools and services.

In particular, at the end of the course students will be able to:

● describe the main theories and models related to cognitive psychology and disciplines related to cognitive ergonomics (user centered design, user experience);

● apply the knowledge acquired in terms of theories and models of ergonomics to the analysis of real cases

● design ergonomics analysis methods according to the principles of research methodology

● design a user experience survey

● conduct a user experience analysis using different investigation tools

● identify possible solutions to solve problems related to the ergonomics design of usable systems and interfaces;

● manage social interactions with cooperative attitude, constrctive communication, in verious environments

● show autonomy in decision making, cooperative behaviours, human and material resources management, coordination, negotiation, management of uncertainty

TEACHING METHODS

Balance between lectures, group work, case studies, projects. The second part of the course involves the implementation of an interaction analysis project on a case study. Working groups will be organized which, in parallel with the lessons, will have to choose a case study and analyze it by applying, from time to time, the methods described in the lessons. At the end of the course, each group will present their own case analysis project and improvement proposals.

The course can be attended on campus and online. Active participation is welcome. Attending students will perform a group project that will be part of the exam. Non-attending students do participate to group project and will autonomously prepare the project in preparation for the exam.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Cognitive processes

● Visual perception

● Attention

● Memory

● Reasoning (Kahneman theory)

● Decision (heuristics)

● Workload

● Situation awareness

● SRK model

Relationship with automation

● OOTL syndrome

● MABA-MABA

● Complacency

● Trust in automation

User Centered Design

● SHELL

● affordance, invitations, constraints

● Mapping

● The 7 stages of the action

Interaction design

● Elements

● Laws

● Characteristics of a good design

● interface design

Methods of analysis in cognitive ergonomics

● Subject Matter experts analysis

● Interviews

● Usability Test

● Questionnaires

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Students with DSA certification, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact teachers at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination methods that, in compliance with the objectives of the course, take into account individual learning needs and provide appropriate compensatory tools.

For international students, slides, texts and articles in English are available on request. The exam can be taken in English.

Program for attending and non-attending students:

- Gamberini Luciano, Chittaro Luca, Paternò Fabio, (2012). Human-Computer Interaction. I fondamenti dell’interazione fra persone e tecnologie, Pearson

- Norman, D. (2013). La caffettiera del masochista. Il design degli oggetti quotidiani. Giunti, Firenze.

- Handouts and other materials provided by teachers

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA MOROZZO DELLA ROCCA E DI BIANZE' (President)

FEDERICA DELPRINO

MICHELE MASINI

FABRIZIO BRACCO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Teams channel of the class available at the code: hgjmzy4

The lessons timetable is reported here:

https://corsi.unige.it/9913/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Exam methods for those taking part to the project

● Written exam: 5 open-ended questions on the general topics scheduled. The score for each answer ranges from 0 to 3 points. Students will have 45 minutes to complete the test. (grade 0 to 15)

● Application project for interaction analysis: activities to be carried out in groups during the lessons (or even in single, if not attending). Attending students will be able to build the project during the lessons, being followed by the the teachers. They can also present the project at the end of the lessons and receive the evaluation. The specifications on the realization of the project and the methods of evaluation will be provided by the teachers at the start of the lessons and will be published on the AulaWeb page of the course. (Grade 0 to 15)

optional:

● Oral integration: analysis of a case or problem in the field of cognitive ergonomics and discussion of the main constructs involved. The oral exam can be requested after having taken the written exam and having presented the project and will allow you to integrate the grade.

The final grade will be given by the sum between the written vote, the presentation of the project (and any oral integration).

Exam methods for students not enrolled in the project

● Written exam: 6 open-ended questions on the general topics scheduled. The score for each answer ranges from 0 to 5 points. Students will have 45 minutes to complete the test. (grade 0 to 30)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

This method was chosen because the written exam guarantees an objective treatment of students, as well as stimulating them to write a logical speech in a clear, concise but exhaustive way (competence that will also be useful in the case of the drafting of the thesis and future documents related to internship activities). The open questions will be formulated in such a way as not to require a purely notional knowledge but allow students to demonstrate the capacity to connect theories and concepts, critical analysis, the ability to have a global view of the several approaches, as well as terminological mastery.

With the written exam will be evaluated the knowledge of the theories and models related to cognitive psychology and disciplines related to cognitive ergonomics (user centered design, user experience). The ability to apply this knowledge to the analysis of real cases will also be evaluated.

The design of a project allows to verify the students' learning in the implementation of the acquired notions, verifying more application skills.

Specifically, the project will verify: the ability to set up a survey of the user experience in interaction with systems and interfaces using methods of ergonomic analysis and according to the principles of the research methodology; the ability to conduct the analysis using different investigation tools and the ability to propose solutions to solve the identified problems.

The presentation of the project and the answers to the questions of the written exam will be taken into account to evaluate the ability to communicate clearly and unambiguously, using the technical language typical of the discipline.

The possibility of oral integration will allow students who wish to increase the grade resulting from the two previous evaluation methods.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or learning disorders are allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the Delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities. Students are invited to contact the teacher of this course and copy the Delegate (https://unige.it/commissioni/comitatoperlinclusionedeglistudenticondisabilita.html).

How to apply for thesis:

In general, students interested in applying for an experimental thesis are invited to submit experimental proposals already set up on the basis of a preliminary bibliographical search.

The topics of the thesis are:

• Human-computer interaction
• Information design
• Interface design
• cognitive psychology
• Cognitive ergonomics