Ergonomics of Multimedia Applications

Code:

CC017

Acronym:

ERGAM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Communication Technology

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
E-learning page:	https://moodle.up.pt/
Responsible unit:	Department of Communication and Information Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Communication Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CC	19	Study plan	3	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students
Obs.: n/a

Objectives

. Systematise, analyse and reflect on the main topics of discussion related to Cognitive Ergonomics and Human Factors in several contexts of inteaction between Human-"Machine" (e.g., AAL; ICT4D; et al.)
. Understand, implement and evaluate an interaction scenario between Man/"Machine", deepening the observation methods of the human animal (anthropology: cultural dimension of man), prototyping levels, project monitoring and evaluation in a "User-Centered Design" methodology (UCD).

Learning outcomes and competences

Understanding, implementing and evaluating an interaction scenario Human-”Machine” presupposes the theoretical knowledge and praxis of three structural areas of “Human-Computer Interaction” to respond to “Ergo-Nomy” (Work Standards) adequately. Namely:
a) Usability: Analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation of scenarios/content effective and efficient interaction/dialogue with the human;
b) Accessibility: In the analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation of scenarios/content accessible in adverse contexts of use or in cases of temporary or permanent disability of the user/reader. Contexts of use in increasingly diverse and ageing Europe make this area particularly relevant for future content producers;
c) Emotionality: Of the three, the area is less quantifiable/measurable in HCI, but has a huge relevance given the current state of the art (also considering other scientific fields such as neuroscience and psychology) that underlie many of the actions/decisions of human Memory-Emotion.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Design, Prototyping and HTML-CSS competences are required.

Program

Ergonomics, Human-Computer Interaction & User-Centered Design 
User Research & Task Analysis
Standards, Interaction Design & Usability Principles > Accessibility & Multimodality
Design Framework & Patterns
Prototyping
Design System
User Experience Evaluation

Mandatory literature

Donald Norman; Emotional Design, Basic Books, 2005. ISBN: ISBN 0-465-05136-7
Donald Norman; Design in EverydayThings, New riders, 2000
Jakob Nielsen; Designing web usability, New riders, 2000
Brenda Laurel; Computers as theatre, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1993. ISBN: ISBN 0-201-55060-1
Donald Norman; Things that make us smart: defending human attributes in the age of the machine, Reading (MA), Perseus Books, 1993
Jakob Nielsen; Usability Engineering, AP Professional, 1993
Jakob Nielsen; Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity, New Riders, 2000
Jakob Nielsen and Robert L. Mack; Usability inspection methods, John Wiley, 1994
Tufte, E.R.; The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, Connecticut: Graphics Press., second edition, 2002

Teaching methods and learning activities

. All classes will consist of explanation, theory and practical components.

. The teacher presents topics and related matter, literature and case studies for the student to develop fundamented essays;

. The timing of the essays submission and the "deliverables" project (practical component) is set from the start of school, and the respective deliveries must be made via Moodle;

. The UC practical component will consist of group projects, monitored and discussed in class, simulating a professional working environment;

. The UC EAM takes Moodle as a tool to organise all classes, provide resources for study and allow contact between students and teacher;

. The aspsousa@fba.up.pt inbox will be available for questions on non-class hours;

. A service time will be determined in due course (after the publication of hours).

Software

Programas de desenho vectorial; animação vectorial; tratamento de imagem
Editor de texto
Freehand; Illustrator; Flash; Photoshop; Dreamweaver
Editor de HTML; CSS; XML

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	40,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	60,00
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

. Continuous assessment;

. Final grade will be the weighted sum of the project component (40%), the theory assignment (40%) and the laboratory component (20%);

. Project assessment will reflect the final quality of the prototype presented, according to the initial aims defined, the integration of interaction design components applied to the project, and the systematisation and follow-up of online information;

. The theory assessment reflects the understanding and in-depth knowledge (independent research, etc.) of the themes addressed in the publication of essays.

Calculation formula of final grade

. Final grade will be the weighted sum of the project component (50%), the theory assignment (35%) and the exam (15%);

. Note: The "recurso" season will consider only the improvement of the technical report (Usability and UX) related to the theoretical component.

Examinations or Special Assignments

The non-participation of 75% of classes may require an oral discussion of the evaluation elements presented and the conduction of a written test on the matters dealt with this U.C.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

As provided in the Rules of the Faculty Evaluation.

Classification improvement

. Enrollment in the next year.

Observations

All work must be accompanied by the Professor, otherwise it will not be considered in the classification process.