Current Topics in HCI (2019)

  Class Information

Lecture Tue, 10:30 - 12:00
  2222, i10 Seminar room
Lab Wed, 12:30 - 14:00
  2222, i10 Seminar room
Language English
Credits 6

  Exams

Midterm Tue, May 21st, 10:30
Final PT1 Wed, Jul 24th, 11:30
Final PT2 Wed, Aug 14th, 11:30

  Resources

RWTHonline

Moodle

 iTunes U

Organization Slides

This class covers basic research methods and current research trends in Human–Computer Interaction. We use a mix of recent book chapters and papers from conferences and journals of the last few years to give you an idea of how HCI research is conducted, and of the hot topics that are being worked on in the international research community. Examples from past years include interactive surfaces, tangible user interfaces, human computation, gestural input, interactive textiles, augmented reality, and personal fabrication. 

The class explains the differences between empirical, ethnographic and systems research in HCI, and how to quickly retrieve and evaluate information from existing literature, a skill you will need for your Master's thesis and future research work in HCI. 
The class consists of weekly labs, studios, group assignments, reading assignments, a group project, and graded written midterm and final examinations. 

The first part of this class is taught in a flipped classroom style in which you will be able to watch online videos of individual topics at your own pace. The studios will be for reviewing the learned concepts, hands-on exercises, Q&A, and for introducing new assignments. The labs will be for assignment discussions and one-on-one feedback. In the second part of this class, the studios are dedicated for presenting new topics in HCI, and the labs are for project work and face-to-face discussions.

This course has limited seating. You need to register to obtain a seat in this course.

Contact

 

Prof. Dr. Jan
Borchers

 

Marcel
Lahaye

 

Oliver
Nowak

For any questions about the class, please contact Marcel Lahaye, MSc or Oliver Nowak, MSc.

Syllabus

  • No lecture!

  • Introduction

    • Studio: Class Organization

      Wed, Apr. 3rd

    • Video:

      Research Contributions in HCI

      How to Read a Scientific Paper

      Contribution and Benefit Statements

  • Research Contributions in HCI

    • Studio: Research Contributions in HCI Discussion

      Apr. 9th

    • Workshop

      Apr. 10th

    • Video:

      Research Approaches in HCI

  • Research Approaches

    • Studio: Research Approaches Discussion

      Apr. 16th

    • Assignment 1: Reverse Engineering User Studies

      Due: Apr. 23rd

    • Workshop

      Apr. 17th

    • Video:

      Experimental Research

  • Experimental Research

    • Studio: Experimental Research Discussion

      Apr. 23rd

    • Assignment 2: Writing reviews for scientific articles

      Due: Apr. 29th

    • Workshop

      Apr. 24th

    • Videos:

      Understanding Statistics in HCI Research

  • Statistical Analysis in HCI

    • Studio: Analyzing Experimental Data and Alternative Analysis Methods

      Apr. 30th

    • Assignment 3: Conducting a First Experiment by Replication

      Due: May 7th

    • No Workshop

      May 1st

    • Video:

      HCI Design Patterns

  • No Lecture!

    • Assignment 4: Mini HCI Research Experiment

       

    • No Workshop

      May 8st

  • Elicitation Studies and Midterm Preparation

    • Studio: HCI Design Patterns Discussion

      May 14th

    • Midterm Preparation

      May 15th

  • Midterm Exam

    • Midterm Exam

      Tue, May 21st

    • Lab

      Wed, May 22nd

  • Virtual & Augmented Reality

    • Studio: Guest Presentations

      Experience with Virtual Reality – Sebastian Hueber
      Augmented Reality and Immersive Sketching – Philipp Wacker
      Tue, May 28st

    • Lab

      Wed, May. 29nd

  • Personal Fabrication

    • Studio: Guest Presentations

      Personal Fabrication – Marcel Lahaye
      Soft Robotics & Jewellery – Anke Brocker
      Tue, Jun. 4th

    • Lab

      Wed, Jun. 5th

  • Collaborative Work & Exploratory Programming

  • Smart Fabrics & Force Touch Input

  • Tangibles

    • Studio: Guest Presentations

      Tangibles on Tabletops – Oliver Nowak
      Input Devices for Games – Adrian Wagner
      Tue, Jul. 2nd

    • Lab

      Wed, Jul. 3rd

  • Project Presentations

    • Student Project Presentations Part 1

      Tue, Jul. 9th

    • Student Project Presentations Part 2

      Wed, Jul. 10th

Grading

Your grade will be calculated as follows:

Assignments 25%
Midterm 30%
Final Exam 45%

Assignments

TBA.

Fields of Study

  • Informatik (M.Sc.)/Angewandte Informatik
  • Informatik (GYM+GS,SII)/Hauptstudium/B. Praktische Informatik
  • Technik-Kommunikation (M.A.)/2. Hauptfach (Technisches Fach)/Grundlagen der Informatik/isierung Informatik
  • TK 2. Fach-Grundlagen der Informatik (M.Sc.)/Wahlpflicht Informatik/Angewandte Informatik

Course Allocation and Registration Guide

Number of SWS: V3+Ü2 (Aachen)
ECTS Credits: 6
Course language: English for all lectures, assignments, and exams

To get a seat in this course, follow these steps before:

  • Register for the course in RWTHonline (Registration will be open on the 25.03.2019). Only 30 seats are available for this course. Priorirty to Master students of Computer Science, Media Informatics, Software Systems Engineering, and Technical Communication. Registration will stay open until the 31.05.2019.
  • Erasmus students can register during the first lab or studio.
  • Sign the Declaration of Compliance CTHCI and hand it in during the first lab or studio.
  • Make sure that you have access to Moodle after the registration phase is over.

 

Previous Offerings

SS 2018 - SS 2017 - SS 2016 - SS 2015 - SS 2014 - SS 2013 - SS 2011 - SS 2010 - SS 2009 - SS 2008 - SS 2007 - SS 2006 - WS 2004/2005

Details