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Instructor:
Prof. Dr. M. Rauterberg,
Full Professor |
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Benefits This assignment need 56 hrs work in total, the number of weeks depends on the actual period length (min 7 weeks). After following this
assignment
students should be able to:
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Previous Knowledge
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Abstract The
assignment will start with a short introduction to the "feel" of
interactive products. The "look" is not covered by this assignment but for
the "feel" part
a
formal
specification method for interaction structures (Petri-Net)
will be introduced. The students will apply this knowledge on
a new design
of a not yet existing interactive system or product for which a usability test can be
conducted. The first part of the assignment consists of creating a new interactive system or product idea (presented at first mid-term meeting), develop the discrete interaction structure for the planned functionality with Petri-Nets as the formal specification method, and present the final specification document/diagram at the second mid-term meeting. The second part of this assignment consists of implementing the specified discrete interaction structure in a mid-fidelity prototype (PowerPoint or Flash), and test the result with several users. Based on the recorded users' reactions/comments, recommendations for a possible re-design have to be drawn. The main results of the user tests based on the final prototype are presented in the final meeting. Students will learn to use a formal specification methods as input for the implementation of a mid-fidelity prototype. They will gain hands-on experience in (1) using a formal specification as input for creating a prototype, and (2) planning and conducting an empirical evaluation. They will experience how to optimise the trade-offs inherent in conducting prototyping and usability testing under 'real-life' constraints. Literature is provided through this web-page (see below). Additional information throughout the assignment will be provided via the assignment emails distribution list DA301 (make sure that your email address is on this list!). |
Assignment
work
The feedback for this assignment will be determined by the work done on the set of deliverables (Dx; see below). Each deliverable (Dx) will cover a number of steps relevant for planning, applying and conducting a combination of formal and empirical methods. Furthermore, they will include discussions about the trade-offs of the decisions taken and the validity of the findings of the evaluation. Feedback will be determined based on the rigour with which the work is done, whether relevant concepts discussed in the assignment are embedded in the work and the report, and extra initiative to ensure good quality of work. |
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| Deliverables [Dx] | Date due |
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Description of the idea and purpose of the
new
interactive product (200-500 words) |
2nd meeting |
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A complete specification of the
new discrete interaction structure described in a document/diagram
(with at least 20 different user
actions/ functions and at least 10 different system states) |
3rd meeting |
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All mid-term presentations in electronic
form [D1: delivered as PPT file]. |
2nd-5th meetings |
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Mid-Fidelity Prototype (in case
of an updated specification of the interaction structure, this updated
document as well with a short description of what and why the changes were
made; if you created more than one prototype, each version has to be
delivered) |
final |
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Description of the user
test (formative evaluation, number of test subjects = 4) including users' profiles, task(s)
description, results and recommendations for re-design; each user test has to
be documented via video recording including audio records of the users'
comments (e.g., via screen capture program
Camtasia
Studio, etc.) |
final |
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Final presentation in electronic form
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final |
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Final
report in
electronic form
with all parts (incl. both Petri Nets) as specified above |
final |
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D6: a CD (no auto run!) with all deliverables (D1) - (D5) per individual student handed in to the assignor's pigeonhole (HG 2.33), secretariat (HG 2.34), or himself (HG 2.36). |
two days after final |
Assignment
schedule
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Date |
Topic |
Background material |
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kick-off |
Introduction in the specification methods
Petri-Nets Students will be grouped in teams of 3-4 students. Lectures from others: |
all relevant literature to be familiar with
obligatory: |
| 2nd meeting |
Each student team (3-4) presents description of
the idea and proposed functionality of a new, non existing product.
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PN: Petri Nets World [overview] [tools] * Yasper-Tool [download] * WoPed-Tool [download] |
| 3rd meeting |
Each student team (3-4) presents a description of
the designed discrete interaction structure in form of a Petri net. Each team will be split into 1-2 students. |
optional extra readings: how to design the perceivable part ("look") of the interface see lecture-2 and -3 as well as the additional readings at DA308 for discrete interaction design 2. |
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4th meeting |
Presentation of each student team. Examples in PPT: Example-1, Example-2 Example in FLASH: Example-1 The final part "user testing" will be done individually. |
obligatory: Engelberg & Seffah (2002) Mid-Fidelity Prototyping.
how to perform a 'formative
evaluation' optional extra readings:
Capture the test user interaction with a freeware
screen capture program! and include the audio records of the user; |
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Presentation of each individual student about the working prototype plus the outcomes of the formative evaluation. |
obligatory: documention in a video clip as 'highlight tape' |
Assignors Feedback
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