| Effective Term: | 2026/05 |
| 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): | (GPSIT1101 and ITECH1101) |
| 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 Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Explain, compare, and contrast fundamental strategies for information and communication technology (ICT) problem solving |
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| K2. | Describe approaches for requirements gathering including survey, market research, interviewing and observation |
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| K3. | Describe tools and techniques to diagramatically model ICT problems and solutions |
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| K4. | Investigate the value of reflection, collaboration, attitude and self-efficacy towards success in problem solving |
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| K5. | Show an understanding of the norms and best practices involved with collaboration and team work |
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| K6. | Describe a range of user-centred design approaches including personas, user journeys and design thinking |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Design problem solutions as part of a team, including analysis of stakeholders, risk, benefits, and ethical implications |
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| S2. | Decompose a problem and create goals and plans to solve that problem |
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| S3. | Construct documentation describing a problem and its solution |
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| S4. | Interactively present a persuasive proposal for an ICT solution to diverse audiences |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply problem solving strategies, tools and techniques to define and solve problems in a variety of domains |
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| Other outcomes: |
| Unit Content: |
Topics may include:
- Pragmatics of Team work
- Fundamentals of Problem Solving
- Problem Solving strategies
- Design thinking
- Goal setting
- Creativity, Critical Thinking, Decision making
- Reflection and Evaluation
- Reading and Writing Documentation
- Presenting Solutions to an Audience
- Personas, User Journeys
- Ethical impacts
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| 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.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 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% |
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| 3. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6 |
Demonstrate understanding of concepts |
In class tests |
0-20% |
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