Syllabus for RHE 379C

Syllabus: RHE 379C/TLC 331, Information Design and Usability Testing

Course Description

In this course, we will learn the basics of designing and user-testing textual information for specific audiences. We'll especially focus on designing and testing for accessibility. Teams will examine websites; use a usability lab to test how well the information meets the needs of an audience; and redesign the information appropriately.

Objectives

This course will help you accomplish the following things:

Become familiar with how people understand and work with information (both verbal and visual)
Create an effectively designed website based on audience analysis, task analysis, and usability testing
Become familiar with basic usability testing of information: theory, practice, ethics

Instructor, Text, Class Location

Instructor: Clay Spinuzzi, clay.spinuzzi@mail.utexas.edu

Office: Parlin 17, 471.8707

Hours: TR 2-3:30 or by appointment

Texts:

Usability Testing and Research, Carol Barnum
Linked readings

Class location and hours: FAC 9, TR 12:30-2

Computer-based participation

RHE 379C/TLC 331 will meet in a computer lab and, occasionally, in a usability lab. You will be expected to use the following programs:

Microsoft Word or a Word-compatible word processor such as AbiWord or OpenOffice, for writing reports
A WWW browser such as Mozilla, Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, for reading online information (such as assignment sheets, class schedule, announcements, etc.)
An email account for communicating with me and with other class members

Many of these programs are available in a variety of labs across campus, as well as our classroom. You will be expected to spend out-of-class time learning to use these programs, if necessary. Although it is beyond the scope of this class to teach you these programs, I will be happy to provide help and will spend time in class helping you to become familiar with them. You may also check out the free short courses provided by ITS Training Services.

Computer Conduct

Since we meet in a computer lab, students will be asked to use computers frequently. But students will need to adhere to certain guidelines in addition to the university's code of computer conduct:

Do not deliberately access material that can be considered threatening to other students. This material includes pornography and overtly sexist materials, bigotry and overtly racist materials, and materials advocating personal violence. You can view these materials on your own time, if you are so compelled, but they have no place in class.
Do not use computers if someone is addressing the class -- including your professor or students who are presenting.
Do not use computers for business unrelated to class during class exercises. For instance, don't check sports scores or your email when you're supposed to be examining online examples.

If you violate these guidelines, you may be asked to leave the classroom and your participation grade may be negatively affected

Grading

Each component of each project is worth a certain percentage of points. See the table below for the overall project breakdown.

Work Required

Here is a list of assignments, their percentages, and due dates.

Project	Percentage	Date
Class participation, including reading responses	10%
Project 1: Heuristic evaluation (5-8pp report)	15%	September 19
Project 2: Test plan (5-8pp report)	25%	October 17
Project 3: Final test report (10pp report plus collateral materials)	50%	December 5
Total	100%

Attendance

You are allowed five unexcused absences. The sixth absence will cause you to fail the course. Excused absences include religious holidays, family emergencies, and illnesses. If you need an absence to be excused, contact me before the absence or as soon as possible afterwards with appropriate documentation.

Class Participation

Your participation grade is based largely on your reading responses each week, as well as your in-class discussions. You should post a reading response to the appropriate forum 8 p.m. the day before class. Late posts will not be accepted.

Late Assignments

Hand in each project by the beginning of the class period that it is due. If a project is late, I will lower it one letter grade for each class day that it is late. Short, out-of-class assignments are not accepted late. You can not make up in-class work.

Computation of Grades

Grades will be computed on a 4-point scale: A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, . . . F=0.

Honesty

Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the university. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Student Judicial Services website.

Here's what you can do to cover yourself against plaigiarism or collusion:

Read the Student Judicial Services site on academic integrity.
At any stage of your writing, keep your drafts, notes, papers,and research materials. If a question of plaigiarism arises, you'll have a paper trail. (In addition to protecting you in RHE 379C/TLC 331, paper trails will also protect you in a variety of other academic, public, and work-related contexts.)
Don't use editing services. Don't ask anyone, even family or friends, to edit your paper or help you write it. You need to do that work yourself.
If you need additional help with your writing, contact the University Writing Center, the University of Texas Learning Center (UTLC), Student Judicial Services, or other official University organizations. These organizations are trained to help you without colluding in plaigiarism.
Last but not least, ask me if you have any questions about honesty.

Special Needs

The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. To determine if you qualify, please contact the Dean of Students at 512.471.6259; 512.471.4641 TTY; or <http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/ssd>. If they certify your needs, I will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.