City University of Hong Kong. Information on a Course offered by Department of Computer Science with effect from Semester A in 2014 / 2015

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City University of Hong Kong

Information on a Course

offered by Department of Computer Science with effect from Semester A in 2014 / 2015

Part I

Course Title: Web Usability Design and Engineering

Course Code: CS3382

Course Duration: One Semester

No. of Credit Units: 3

Level: B3

Medium of Instruction: English

Prerequisites: (Course Code and Title)

Nil

Precursors: (Course Code and Title)

CS2204 Fundamentals of Internet Applications Development or CS2310 Computer Programming or

CS2311 Computer Programming or

CS2312 Problem Solving and Programming or CS2313 Computer Programming or

CS2331 Problem Solving and Programming or CS2332 Object-Oriented Programming or

CS3270 Fundamentals of Computer Networks and the Internet or equivalent

Equivalent Courses: (Course Code and Title)

Nil

Exclusive Courses: (Course Code and Title)

Nil

Part II

1. Course Aims:

This course aims to provide students with a balance of design and engineering concepts, principles and professional practices related to Web site design and usability. It also aims to develop students’ ability to design, create, and analyze Web sites for usability and accessibility.

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2. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)

(state what the student is expected to be able to do at the end of the course according to a given standard of performance) Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No. CILOs Weighting

(if applicable)

1. perform a Web site design project using established process models and professional practices;

2. _{create, design and implement a Web site by applying}

sound design principles and professional practices for usability and accessibility;

3. _{perform usability testing or use other techniques and tools}

to improve Web usability;

4. develop an inquisitive attitude to appreciate, learn and critique new technologies and trends in Web usability engineering.

3. Teaching and learning Activities (TLAs) (designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs)

Teaching pattern:

Suggested lecture/tutorial/laboratory mix: 2 hours lecture; 1 hour tutorial. ILO No. TLAs Hours/week (if applicable) CILO 1 – 4

Journal or report – Students are expected to do a fair amount of reading both within and outside of the textbooks. They are required to document in a journal or report their learning and insights of Web site design, usability and accessibility professional practices.

CILO 1 – 4

Presentation – Students are required to give presentations

in class and discuss their findings. The teacher will guide discussions and help focus issues.

CILO

1 – 4 Mini-Project – Each student will be required to select an _{existing Web site and critically analyze its usability and}

accessibility. They will create a new design of a simple Web site following professional practices, guidelines and standards in Web design, usability and accessibility. The mini-project should be documented in a project report.

4. Assessment Tasks/Activities

(designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs)

ILO No.

Type of assessment tasks/activities Weighting

(if applicable)

Remarks CILO 1 _{Coursework – The quality of students’ process}

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in the mini-project will be used to assess this CILO.

Exam – Questions will be designed to assess

students’ knowledge of Web site development process models, the key process steps, their objectives and milestones, as well as professional practices and their rationale.

CILO 2 _{Coursework – The quality of the Web site}

developed in the mini-project will be used to assess this CILO. The student’s journal or report will also demonstrate his/her depth of knowledge in these areas.

students’ knowledge of design principles as well as usability and accessibility guidelines.

CILO 3 _{Coursework – The quality of usability testing} performed and any other techniques and tools used in the student’s mini-project, together with the journal or report, will be used to assess this CILO.

students’ knowledge of usability testing, its process, purpose and outcomes, as well as the use of other techniques and tools.

CILO 4 _{Coursework – Examples of new technologies}

and trends will be presented in class. Students will document their studies in their journals or reports. They should analyze their mini-project and critically examine how it might relate to new technologies and trends.

students’ knowledge on new technologies and trends and their potential impacts on Web usability engineering.

5. Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations and to the Explanatory Notes.

Examination duration: 2 hours

Percentage of coursework, examination, etc.: 60% CW; 40% Exam Grading pattern: Standard (A+AA…F)

For a student to pass the course, at least 30% of the maximum mark for the examination must be obtained.

This is a CEF approved course, students who want to apply for CEF claims must achieve at least 70% minimum attendance and obtain at least 50% passing mark

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for the assessment of the course.

Part III

Keyword Syllabus

Web site development methodologies. Web site usability and accessibility. Web standards. XHTML/CSS. Design principles and style guidelines. Information architecture. Graphic design and layout. Usability testing. Search engine optimization. Web site analytics. Web 2.0.

Syllabus

1. Web site development methodologies

Web site development life cycle. User-centric design model. Process models. Core process workflow.

2. Web standards for usability and accessibility XHTML. CSS. WAI/Section 508.

3. Design principles and guidelines for the Web

Basic Web design principles. Web style guidelines. Basic graphic layout: fonts, colors, etc. Usability and accessibility guidelines. Professional practices for Web design.

4. Usability testing, techniques and tools

Usability testing procedures. Analysis of test results. Search engine optimization. Web analytics.

5. New technologies and trends Web 2.0. Web 3.0.

Recommended Reading Text

Freely available Web-based material will be provided for reading.

Supplementary Reading

Lidwell, W., Holden, K. and Butler, J. (2003). Universal Principles of Design. Rockport Publishers. ISBN 1592530079.

Godin, S. (2002). The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better. Free Press. ISBN 0743227905.

Neilsen, J. (2000). Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity. Indianapolis: New Riders. ISBN 1-56205-810-X.

Norman, D. A. (1990). The Design of Everyday Things. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-26774-6.

Williams, R. and Tollett, J. (2000). The Non-Designer's Web Book. Peachpit Press. ISBN 0201710382.

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Krug, S. (2000). Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability. New Riders. ISBN 0789723107.