COM32 UX Project , Coursework, Ulster University

1. Coursework overview

A web form (or HTML form) is a place where users enter data or personal information that’s then sent to a server for processing. For example, users can share their name and email addressto sign up for a newsletteror place an order. In this coursework students will design and build the front-end for a web form to capturethe information for the problem brief provided in Appendix 1. Students will then complete a video demonstrating a cognitive walkthrough evaluation of the web form. Deliverables 

1. Each student should upload a self-contained zip file of the web form to the COM321 Assessment area on Blackboard learn by 12 noon on Thursday 5 th December 2024. Include all necessary files. 

2. Each student should upload a 2-minute cognitive walkthrough evaluation video of the web form they have implemented to the COM321 Assessment area on Blackboard learn by 12 noon on Thursday 5 th December 2024. A video tutorial of the cognitive walkthrough method has been provided in the assessment folder in the module area on Blackboard Learn. 

2. Coursework Rationale

The project is a hands-on practical exercise on UX, Human-Centred Design and prototyping using a variety of tools. Fundamentally, this means that design begins by getting to know the intended users, their tasks, and the working context of their actions. Only then is the actual system design considered in terms of what it should look like, and how the design should be based on real people, real tasks, and real needs. Humancentred system design is not an academic process where some cookbook formula can be applied, nor is it an intuitive process where a programmer can sit in their office and think they know what the user and their tasks are. Rather, it is a hands-on process that requires students to identify actual users, talk to them about what tasks they are trying to do, and understand the entire context of their work.

The design is then based on thisinformation. Initial designs will be crude and problem-prone, and students will be expected to identify potential usability problems by continually evaluating the design. This is called Iterative Design.

Most of the theory, techniques and skills required for this coursework will be covered in lectures and practical classes – however, some more advanced techniques that demonstrate excellence in this subject will require independent learning using the recommended reading texts and other resources suggested in the module area on Blackboard learn.

In practical classes, students will complete several exercises using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript/TypeScript, Bootstrap and React to implement interactive web applications. These exercises will provide the necessary base-level programming skills required to develop the interactive web form. It is not expected that the interactive web form is a fully functioning system – but the front-end user interface should work as expected in the final product to demonstrate full UX functionality.

Students are encouraged to work in groups during the requirements gathering phase of the project. Students can also work in groups to get feedback on their designs – but each student must design and implement their own solution to the problem brief. Group work encourages the development of skills useful in employment (cooperation, negotiation, compromise, leadership, delegation, etc.). Students also learn from each other. Students will have different ideas and contributions on the requirements, design and implementation stages; this combined input is essential for Human Centred Design and User eXperience and the project in COM321 offers students a unique opportunity to develop these skills.

This coursework adopts best practice in terms of current teaching pedagogies, utilising project-based learning1 , group work2 and reflective pedagogy3 .

3. Coursework Description

Using human-centred design techniques, students define the requirements of the system addressing the selected problem brief (see Appendix 1). Information architecture and design techniques will be used to devise and test initial designs. Students will decide on the final design and will implement an interactive web form. The following technologies are permitted: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, TypeScript, React and Bootstrap. No other web frameworks are permitted. Students are not permitted to use WYSIWYG editors such as Dreamweaver – they are expected to hand craft all code. All submissions will be inspected to ensure compliance with this requirement.

Deliverables:

a) A self-contained zip file of the final web form will be uploaded to Blackboard learn as an individual submission. The deadline for uploading is 12 noon on 5 th December 2024.

b) Each student will individually evaluate their final system using the expert-based cognitive walkthrough evaluation technique. This will take the form of an individual 2-minute video. Students may include voice overs, captions, annotations and refer to design documentation during the video. The deadline for uploading the video is 12 noon on 5 th December 2024.

Collaboration Policy: Discussion with fellow students is encouraged and will benefit you in understanding the material. Students may discuss concepts and/or ideas from lectures with anyone in the class. Students may discuss concepts and/or ideas from their requirements and application design. Each student must design and implement their own individual solution to the problem brief.

All submissions will be monitored in line with university guidance. If there is any confusion about the plagiarism policy for this module, feel free to talk to me. Not understanding this policy is not an excuse for breaking it. Self-plagiarism is plagiarism under this policy. If a student includes text or graphics copied from other assignments, or projects or work they have completed elsewhere, they are required to make a note of this. The Ulster University policy on plagiarism4 will be strictly enforced.

Project marking

Interactive web application submissions will be marked in terms of the completeness of the final product in meeting the provided design brief. The 2-minute video will offer individual students the opportunity to demonstrate and evaluate the practical application of their knowledge of the developed system. The mark awarded will depend on critical analysis, technical and design complexity, solution originality, appropriate use of UX and cognitive walkthrough completeness.

A rubric (see Appendix 2) will be used to calculate this mark. Formative feedback will be provided during the weekly practical classes on all aspects of the project. Summative feedback will be provided along with the marking rubric after the final project assessment. No extension to deadlines will be granted unless extenuating circumstances exist, and the university procedure5 has been followed correctly.