Schedule of Topics to be Covered Each Week
(Note: The following items are subject to change if necessary as are the activities previously mentioned in this syllabus.)
Week 1: 6-12 Sept.
Topic: Class introduction; Definitions of usability and user experience design
Week 2: 13-19 Sept.
Topic: Cognition and expectation; Schemas, prototypes, and scripts
Week 3: 20-26 Sept.
Topic: Persona development, wireframing, and focus groups (using research to create instructions and other materials)
Week 4: 27 Sept. - 3 Oct.
Topic: User testing and think-aloud protocols
Week 5: 4 10 Oct.
Topic: Using personas and maps to craft instructions
Assignment: Persona Entry & Script-Prototype Map Report (and Memo) due Monday, 5 Oct. 20 @ 9:00am US CT
Week 6: 11-17 Oct.
Topic: Focus groups, observational research, and beta testing
Week 7: 18-24 Oct.
Topic: Accessibility, usability, and design
Assignment: Instructions Based on Personas and Maps due on Monday, 19 Oct. 20 @ 8:00pm US CT
Week 8: 25-31 Oct.
Topic: Culture, language, and international aspects of usability
Week 9: 1-7 Nov,
Topic: Resources for research and venues for sharing information; Professional organizations and skill development
Assignment: User Test Report (and Cover Letter) due on Monday, 2 Nov. 20 @ 8:00pm US CT
Week 10: 8-14 Nov.
Topic: Proposed trends and future projections
Week 11: 15-21 Nov.
Topic: Recap and review of central concepts
Assignment: Focus Group Report (and Cover Letter) Due on Monday, 16 Nov. 20 @ 12:00 noon US CT
Week 1: 6-12 Sept.
Topic: Class introduction; Definitions of usability and user experience design
Week 2: 13-19 Sept.
Topic: Cognition and expectation; Schemas, prototypes, and scripts
Week 3: 20-26 Sept.
Topic: Persona development, wireframing, and focus groups (using research to create instructions and other materials)
Week 4: 27 Sept. - 3 Oct.
Topic: User testing and think-aloud protocols
Week 5: 4 10 Oct.
Topic: Using personas and maps to craft instructions
Assignment: Persona Entry & Script-Prototype Map Report (and Memo) due Monday, 5 Oct. 20 @ 9:00am US CT
Week 6: 11-17 Oct.
Topic: Focus groups, observational research, and beta testing
Week 7: 18-24 Oct.
Topic: Accessibility, usability, and design
Assignment: Instructions Based on Personas and Maps due on Monday, 19 Oct. 20 @ 8:00pm US CT
Week 8: 25-31 Oct.
Topic: Culture, language, and international aspects of usability
Week 9: 1-7 Nov,
Topic: Resources for research and venues for sharing information; Professional organizations and skill development
Assignment: User Test Report (and Cover Letter) due on Monday, 2 Nov. 20 @ 8:00pm US CT
Week 10: 8-14 Nov.
Topic: Proposed trends and future projections
Week 11: 15-21 Nov.
Topic: Recap and review of central concepts
Assignment: Focus Group Report (and Cover Letter) Due on Monday, 16 Nov. 20 @ 12:00 noon US CT