• Baumgartner Jürgen
• Sauer Jürgen

This practice-oriented seminar teaches basics to understand core concepts relevant to product evaluation (usability, user experience, accessibility). Special emphasis is placed on usability testing. It represents a central method in product and software development and provides important input to usability specialists, a professional group that is becoming increasingly important. Usability tests aim to improve the user-friendliness of products.

In a usability test, representative users perform specific tasks with a product. They are observed and questioned about the product after completing the tasks. The data collected (operating errors, navigation problems, emotions, satisfaction, etc.) form the basis for suggestions for improvement implemented by the design and development team.

Psychological theories provide an important basis for this. For example, emotions, satisfaction, work performance and methodological knowledge for measuring human behaviour and perception are central topics for usability testing.

Assessments methods

Continuous assessment

Description of Exams

Students plan and conduct a usability test on their own. The individual project phases (presentation, final report, etc.) and additional activities (e.g. short presentations) are evaluated. Regular attendance is required.

• Understanding core concepts relevant to product evaluation (usability, user experience, accessibility)
• Learning to plan and conduct a usability test and to analyse findings

Sarodnick, F. & Brau, H. (2006). Methoden der Usability Evaluation : wissenschaftliche Grundlagen und praktische Anwendung. Bern: Huber.
Tullis, T. & Albert, B. (2008). Measuring the user experience: collecting, analyzing, and presenting usability metrics. Burlington: Morgan Kaufmann.
Rubin, J. & Chisnell, D. (2009). Handbook of usability testing: how to plan, design, and conduct effective tests. Indianapolis: Wiley.
Pearrow, M. (2007). Web usability handbook. Amsterdam : Wiley.
Kuniavsky, M. (2003). Observing the user experience: a practitioner’s guide to user research. San Francisco: Morgan Kaufmann.
 

Die Studierenden führen ein eigenes Projekt durch. Die einzelnen Projektabschnitte (Präsentation, Durchführung, Abschlussbericht etc.) werden dabei evaluiert. Regelmässige Anwesenheit ist erforderlich.

Die Studierenden führen ein eigenes Projekt durch. Die einzelnen Projektabschnitte (Präsentation, Durchführung, Abschlussbericht etc.) werden dabei evaluiert. Regelmässige Anwesenheit ist erforderlich.

Die Studierenden führen ein eigenes Projekt durch. Die einzelnen Projektabschnitte (Präsentation, Durchführung, Abschlussbericht etc.) werden dabei evaluiert. Regelmässige Anwesenheit ist erforderlich.

Die Studierenden führen ein eigenes Projekt durch. Die einzelnen Projektabschnitte (Präsentation, Durchführung, Abschlussbericht etc.) werden dabei evaluiert. Regelmässige Anwesenheit ist erforderlich.