This course attempts to balance the theory of usability testing with the practice of actually conducting usability tests. It aims for two distinct modes. The first involves the concepts of usability testing, and will require that you do the assigned readings and participate fully in class discussion. I will expect you to ask questions, to connect ideas from various readings, and to connect these theories to our activities in the actual usability lab. The second mode of this course involves spending time in the usability lab, plugging in wires, rolling tape, positioning microphones and cameras, digitizing and editing video, and generally becoming very familiar with the workings of gathering data. Although we will meet in the usability lab every other day for practical work, I expect you to schedule your own time in the lab in order to maximize your experience. The scheduling calendar for the lab can be found at https://mail.ttu.edu/public/english/usability/Calendar/
Barnum, Carol M. Usability Testing and Research. Allyn & Bacon, 2002.
Other on-line and print articles as assigned. These will be listed on the syllabus and in WebBoard as they are generated.
Jacob Nielsen's UseIt.com
Office hours are times for you to get individual help. You do not need an appointment to see me during my scheduled hours. If your classes conflict with my hours, please make an appointment for another time. You are also welcome to ask questions about assignments through email.
| A |
superior. The paper meets or exceeds all the objectives of the assignment. The content is mature, thorough, and well-suited for the audience; the style is clear, accurate, and forceful; the information is well-organized and formatted so that it is accessible and attractive; the mechanics and grammar are correct. The paper has publication potential. |
| B | competent. The paper meets the objectives of the assignment, but it needs improvement in style, or it contains easily correctable errors in grammar, format, or content, or its content is superficial. |
| C | unsatisfactory for graduate courses. The paper needs significant improvement in concept, details, development, organization, grammar, or format. It may be formally correct but superficial in content, or it may not meet the terms of the assignment. |
You can figure an A as 95, A- as 91, B+ as 88 etc.
You must turn in all assigned work to pass the course. If you do not turn in an assignment, you will fail the course (because you did not complete the assignment), even though your average may be passing. You must turn in papers when they are due. If you have unusual circumstances that will cause you to be late with your work, please talk with me and we will work out a schedule that will not penalize you. I have assembled a separate web page with this semester's assignments.
Since this is a workshop course, your attendance is expected. If you have a good reason for missing class (I get to determine what a good reason is), we need to make arrangements ahead of time. For a graduate course, "attendance" means a lot more than showing up to class. It means bringing homework and examples when they're due. It means participating in workgroup activities, electronic and physical. It also means coming to class having read the materials and being ready to be called upon to lead discussion on the topic of the day.
A student will be excused from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day and the time necessary to travel for this observance. The student will not be penalized for the absence and will be permitted to take an exam or complete an assignment missed during the excused absence. No prior notification of the instructor is required.
Any student who because of a disability may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification from AccessTECH in the Student Counseling Center. No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to the completion of this approved university process.
This course (and, indeed, all the graduate courses in the technical communication program) assumes and expects complete honesty and the highest standard of integrity. Any attempt to present as your own any work not honestly performed will be regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense.