Modules

Module title: User-centred Organisational Systems
SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: INF09414
Module leader: Gemma Webster
School School of Computing
Subject area group: Creative and Social Informatics
Prerequisites

N/A
2019/0, Trimester 1, BLENDED,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: BLENDED
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Gemma Webster
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
The student is required to be employed as a Graduate Apprentice based in and around Edinburgh to be eligible to complete this module, in this format. This module is offered in day release (GA) study mode and will be delivered during the period that students are attending classes from 9 am to 5 pm, one day per month. The monthly on-campus day will comprise of intensive practical sessions and hands-on activities, group exercises, and formative feedback. The traditional lecture materials will be delivered in a blended form using online materials, while in-class time is devoted to practical exercises, projects, or discussions. The module is designed around online and student-centred learning in practice with an emphasis on building a learning community. The module is introduced by an induction workshop which introduces students to the online resources and explains the assessment process. Lectures cover the theoretical background to user- organisation systems, and outline relevant tools and techniques. Case studies and illustrative examples are used in the lectures to aid comprehension of subject matter. LOs 1,2,3,4.
Tutorial activities are based on small-group analysis of case studies, scenarios and techniques applied, with informal presentation of findings to the whole group. LOs 1,2,3,4.
Practical labs are run as small group based activities using ‘research based’ case-studies, where students apply the methods over a sustained period of time. LOs 1,2,3,4.
Formative Assessment:
Tutorial/practical sessions are used to provide formative feedback for students on the module. During these sessions, module tutors assess and evaluate student performance on tasks relevant to the summative assessment, providing timely feedback which supports the development of students’ capabilities.

Summative Assessment:
Students submit an individual coursework portfolio report at the end of the group based activities. The report consists of work based on the different user-centred methodology techniques covered in the group exercise. This provides them with the opportunity to demonstrate that they both understood the method and employed it correctly, and to reflect on the process adopted and the outcomes produced. The coursework assesses their ability to specify and design a system and to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the method (LO2, LO3).

Students also submit an individual report which is used to assess students’ detailed understanding of the purpose of the methodology, it’s main components and possible alternative approaches. The report assesses students’ abilities to research and apply user-centred research methods to an organisation system (LO1, LO2), identify and understand the legal and ethical implications of their approach (LO4)
and to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the method (LO3).
Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Tutorial 21
Face To Face Tutorial 2
Independent Learning Guided independent study 177
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Portfolio 40 2,3 10 HOURS= 00.00, WORDS= 3000
Report 60 1, 2, 4 14/15 HOURS= 00.00, WORDS= 2000
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

This module will cover standard user-centred research methods for understanding organisational systems. In particular the following topics will be covered:
- Organisational imperatives for user-centred systems
- Contextual enquiry (understanding user needs), generating requirements, identifying stakeholders, and user experience modelling
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods including interviewing, focus groups, ethnography
- Data collection and analysis techniques for research methods
- Evaluation methods and criteria
- Legal and ethical implications of user-centred research methods in organisations
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Critically assess organisational drivers for, and benefits from, user-centred information systems
LO2: Understand and evaluate the different kinds of user-centred methods for identifying and collecting information to assist development of organisational systems
LO3: Design and apply user-centred research methods to an organisational system
LO4: Understand the legal and ethical implications of the user-centred methodology approach to organisational systems
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
INF09414 User-Centred Organisational Systems(GA)
 

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