User Centred Design

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2025/20
Institute / School :Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Unit Title: User Centred Design
Unit ID: ITECH1501
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): Nil
ASCED: 029900
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

User Centred Design introduces students to the fundamental techniques and strategies involved with design thinking and problem solving, with an emphasis on analysing and resolving IT problems in particular. Students are expected to develop a sound methodological approach to problem solving that will equip them to propose, develop, implement, and evaluate solutions to problems fundamental to the IT industry, aligned with the activities undertaken by Service Designers and other IT occupations. Key to this process is developing confidence, resilience and perseverance in team-based environments and basic IT modelling.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component:
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                        
Intermediate                                                
Advanced                                                
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Explain, compare, and contrast fundamental strategies for information and communication technology (ICT) problem solving

K2.

Describe approaches for requirements gathering including survey, market research, interviewing and observation

K3.

Describe tools and techniques to diagramatically model ICT problems and solutions

K4.

Investigate the value of reflection, collaboration, attitude and self-efficacy towards success in problem solving

K5.

Show an understanding of the norms and best practices involved with collaboration and team work

K6.

Describe a range of user-centred design approaches including personas, user journeys and design thinking

Skills:
S1.

Design problem solutions as part of a team, including analysis of stakeholders, risk, benefits, and ethical implications

S2.

Decompose a problem and create goals and plans to solve that problem

S3.

Construct documentation describing a problem and its solution

S4.

Interactively present a persuasive proposal for an ICT solution to diverse audiences

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Apply problem solving strategies, tools and techniques to define and solve problems in a variety of domains

Unit Content:

Topics may include:

  1. Pragmatics of Team work
  2. Fundamentals of Problem Solving
  3. Problem Solving strategies
  4. Design thinking
  5. Goal setting
  6. Creativity, Critical Thinking, Decision making
  7. Reflection and Evaluation
  8. Reading and Writing Documentation
  9. Presenting Solutions to an Audience
  10. Personas, User Journeys
  11. Ethical impacts
Graduate Attributes:
Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptorDevelopment and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
Level
FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal

Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in:

•   Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication

•   Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening

•   Showing empathy for others

•   Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills

•   Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 2
Leadership

Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Creating a collegial environment

•   Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect

•   Inspiring and convincing others

•   Making informed decisions

•   Displaying initiative

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity

Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Reflecting critically

•   Evaluating ideas, concepts and information

•   Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas

•   Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts

•   Forming creative solutions in problem solving.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy

Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information

•   Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely

•   Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media

•   Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups

•   Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset

Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts

•   Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen

•   Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses

•   Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others

•   Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1.K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1

Apply and reflect on problem solving, modelling, design work and team work processes

Learning Journal and Practical Exercises

10-40%

2.K3, K4, K5, K6, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1

Plan and comprehensively design solutions to IT problem(s).

Practical Assignments

50-80%

3.K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6

Demonstrate understanding of concepts

In class tests

0-20%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency