Course Title: E-Business Development
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: E-Business Development
Credit Points: 12
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
INTE2032 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
620H Business Info Technology |
Face-to-Face |
Course Coordinator: Vince Bruno
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Nil
Course Description
As professionals it is important that students are able to critically evaluate user interfaces and work environment issues in relation to humans’ interaction with computers. This evaluation of usability issues is the main focus of the course. The course aims to:
• introduce you to analysis methods and techniques used in the evaluation, prototyping and assessment of user interface needs
• give you background knowledge and practical experiences in conducting usability studies of interactive systems
• introduce you to the theories behind Human Factors, Human Computer Interaction and Usability Engineering
• empower you with the skills for evaluating the requirements of a user interface given the various aspects of an environment, which includes international issues.
In a maturing I.T. industry, some clear I.T. specialisation areas are becoming apparent. One of these is the Human Factors Specialist, who helps with the coordination of Humans and their interaction with Technology such as computers. The job market in this area is on the increase from local to international markets, especially due to the ubiquitous nature of computing and the web.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Upon completion of this course, it is expected that the students will have acquired the knowledge & skills to be able to approach user interface design, implementation, documentation and testing in a professional manner. This is to be achieved through students acquiring:
• Knowledge of what is meant by good design
• Knowledge about guidelines and models and how they can be applied to interface design
• Knowledge and have applied various inspection methods to evaluate interface quality
• Knowledge and have applied a variety of methods to involve the user in the design process.
• Having an understanding of the various aspects that effect usability of a system;
• The ability to design and implement user interfaces that will satisfy users;
• Awareness of the importance of user centered design and the usability engineering lifecycle;
• Practical experience in using a rapid prototyping toolkit;
• Experience in conducting practical evaluation sessions (usability testing).
• The ability to evaluate Internationalisation aspects of interfaces
• The ability to Designing interfaces for the World Wide Web
Capabilities
Goal 1: To be a premier provider of relevant business education and training which is responsive to student, client, industry and professional needs.
Usability Analysis: This aspect of computing (usability) is surfacing as a growth area. Employers are seeking to better service the knowledge and transaction workers with better environment through usability testing and greater emphasis on user centered design.
Goal 2: To ensure that all RMIT Business graduates are ready for action, work and life long learning through education and training which emphasise action learning grounded in “ Real world” experiences and through dynamic relationships with industry and the professions.
Usability Analysis: In doing a usability course, students will gain an invaluable perspective on the effective use of computers by users. This will enable students to focus on aspects that effect industry, the human-computer interaction.
Goal 5: To ensure all RMIT Business programs provide socially relevant learning for current and emerging business practice in a global environment.
Usability Analysis: Business is finding that in order for their staff to utilise tools better they need to consider the usability issues that surround one of businesses major tools, computers. This covers aspects from the user interface design to the physically environment (workplace) that business users find themselves in. We aim to give students a different perspective in the analysis of a problem domain to better enable the development of usable business applications.
Overview of Learning Activities
During the semester the lectures will present various concepts and theories in relation to the area of Usability, there will be further reading and research required of you, to help reinforce the topics discussed.
The areas that you will be exposed to are:
• Usability Engineering Issues
• Human Factors Issues
• Usability Testing
• Human Computer Interaction
• User Centered Design Techniques
• Web Interface Development
In the tutorial time you will be given various tutorial exercises and tasks to perform usually related to the lecture topic. The majority of the examples used and assessment done are from web sites.
You will be required to work effectively in teams to complete tutorial and some assessment tasks. A portion of the time spent in tutorials involves working in groups. Students will have to work with fellow students from various backgrounds. They will have to manage the dynamics of the group they find themselves in, and their personal reactions to other members of the group. They will also need to manage their time and to work systematically to meet designated dates for the submission of assessment tasks.
Overview of Learning Resources
Nil
Overview of Assessment
The assessment tasks that a student in this course is required to complete are:
• Practical assignments 50%
Final Examination (2 hours) 50%