Module: Exploring Interaction Design

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Exploring Interaction Design
Module Code	ICT1007 (ITS: HS1)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Electronic Engineering
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

This module introduces students to the Interaction Design (IxD) cycle and to the principle of user centered design. It provides students with the opportunity to practice the use of a variety of IxD tools to better understand users' needs, develop prototype interactive systems and evaluate those systems.

Learning Outcomes

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2. Explain, using examples, user-centred design.
5. 1
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7. Carry out usability assessment of interactive systems.
10. 2
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12. Explain user experience from socio-cultural and ecological perspectives.
15. 3
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17. Apply knowledge of social and organizational processes to interaction design and evaluation.
20. 4
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22. Evaluate how Interaction Design mediates a variety of cultural practices (e.g. work, education, making and sustaining friendship, play).
25. 5
26. 1D9965BC-49AA-0001-85A3-1F4611191D45
27. Design a basic experimental and qualitative study.
30. 6
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32. Communicate ideas orally and in writing.
35. 7

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	25	Face-to-face tutorials are held in DCU on Saturdays and online tutorials on weekday evenings according to the timetable
Online activity	40	Interaction with tutor and fellow students
Assignment Completion	30	Work independently and in groups on three assignments over the course of the academic year.
Assessment Feedback	10	Individual and general feedback on assignments
Independent Study	220	Reading, study, research and problem solving
Total Workload: 325

Section Breakdown
CRN	11787	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Richard Bolger	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Assignment	30%	n/a
Assignment	Assignment	35%	n/a
Assignment	Assignment	35%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION (HS1)
This module introduces students to the Interaction Design (IxD) cycle and to the principle of user centered design. It provides students with the opportunity to practice using a variety of IxD tools to better understand users' needs, develop prototype interactive systems and evaluate those systems.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Unger and Chandler: 2009, A project guide to UX Design, New Riders, 978-032160737
D. Norman: 2013, The design of everyday things, 2nd edition, MIT Press,
Preece, J., Sharpe, H., and Rogers, Y.: 2015, Interaction design: Beyond human-computer interaction, 4th Edition, Wiley, Chichester,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None