645.651.81 - Integrating Humans and Technology

Course Structure

Course Topics

• Introduction to Human Computer Interaction and User Experience
• Problem Scoping
• Users and Personas
• Task Analysis
• Requirements
• Prototyping
• Heuristics
• Accessibility
• Measurement Validity
• User Testing
• Data Analysis
• Modalities
  

Course Goals

1. Apply knowledge of human capabilities and limitations to understanding benefits of human machine teaming.
2. Predict whether, why, and how interaction designs will be user-friendly using human-centered methodologies.
3. Analyze systems, interactions and tools, predicting their perceived utility and usability based on knowledge of human behavior and evidence-driven design best practices.
4. Design and conduct user-centered research (e.g., surveys, interviews, usability tests).
5. Analyze human-centered research to create research and design artifacts (e.g., personas, scenarios, prototypes) that inform (re-)design and improve user efficiency, satisfaction, and success.

Textbooks

There is no required textbook for this course. All readings will be provided online. 

Required Software

All required software is either provided with your JHU account or free online.

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Figma 

Student Coursework Requirements

Quizzes (20%)

Quizzes will given throughout the course and there are 2 types of quizzes (Module Quiz & Quarterly Quiz). Module Quizzes are ungraded with unlimited attempts and are a resource to learn new material and study for the Quarterly Quizzes. The Quarterly Quizzes are given throughout the semester (roughly at each quarter) and count for a grade. The Quarterly Quizzes are 20% of your total grade. 

Assignments (60%)

Each module, there will be an assignment to submit and turn in by the end of the module. Most of these assignments are contributing towards your final project. Each assignment will have a grading rubric to demonstrate proficiency in each artifact. 

Final Project (20%)

Students are required to work on an individual semester-long project for this course. Throughout the semester you will learn human systems engineering methods, techniques, and design principles. You will apply your knowledge to weekly deliverables which contribute to the semester-long project.

At the beginning of the semester, you will submit a project proposal for an invention/technology/product/web service/mobile application or pick from pre-approved ideas. To ensure the idea can be executed in a semester, the instructor needs to approve your project proposal before you begin developing your idea. Project components are due each week because subsequent modules build upon the prior week. At the end of the semester, you will submit your complete project and present your project to the class.

The course project is evaluated by the following grading elements.

1. Final Project (as described in Course Project Description) (10%)
2. Final Presentation (as described in Course Project Description) (10%)

Grading Policy

Course Evaluation

Grades Returned:
Assignments turned in on time will be returned with feedback no later than 48 hours after submission. This is to ensure that feedback is able to be incorporated in future assignments. Assignments submitted late will be returned as the instructor's schedule permits.

Late Policy: 
Assignments will be deducted 1 letter grade/week (7 days) that an assignment is late. Example: A 100 point assignment would lose 10 points for each 7 days that the assignment is late. 

Extensions:
Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis. An extension must be requested by the student more than 24 hours prior to an assignment due date and is up to instructor discretion. An approved extension will consist of an extended due date given by the instructor.  

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.