Students
PSYB8962 – Human Factors in New Technology
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Mark Wiggins
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertBusPsy or GradDipBusPsy or MCTerrorism or MCrim or MCyberSecAnalysis or MIntell or MSecStrategicStud
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will provide students with an introductory knowledge of the role of human factors in new technologies. Practical components of the unit focus on the conduct of usability assessments in identifying and remediating issues that impede human performance. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Demonstrate knowledge by critically analysing principles and practices that underpin the application of human factors in the workplace.
- ULO2: Apply and differentiate the strategies associated with identification and remediation of human performance issues in the workplace
- ULO3: Prepare and undertake a usability analysis
- ULO4: Undertake a critical analysis of the role of human factors in the contemporary workplace
- ULO5: Propose targeted solutions to improve the relationship between human performance and technology
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students will complete a critical essay of 2500 words | 35% | No | 01/04/21 |
| Usability Analysis | 35% | No | 20/05/21 |
| Closed book examination | 30% | No | 31/05/21 |
| Fortnightly Quiz questions | 0% | No | 04/06/21 |
Students will complete a critical essay of 2500 words
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 01/04/21
Weighting: 35%
This 2500 word assessment task involves an essay in which students will conduct a critical evaluation of the role of human factors in a domain of their choosing.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge by critically analysing principles and practices that underpin the application of human factors in the workplace.
- Undertake a critical analysis of the role of human factors in the contemporary workplace
Usability Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 20/05/21
Weighting: 35%
This 2500 word task involves a report which summarises the outcomes of a usability and user-experience assessment of a website.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge by critically analysing principles and practices that underpin the application of human factors in the workplace.
- Prepare and undertake a usability analysis
- Propose targeted solutions to improve the relationship between human performance and technology
Closed book examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 31/05/21
Weighting: 30%
In class Closed book 50 minute examination of 25 short answer questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge by critically analysing principles and practices that underpin the application of human factors in the workplace.
- Apply and differentiate the strategies associated with identification and remediation of human performance issues in the workplace
Fortnightly Quiz questions
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: 04/06/21
Weighting: 0%
Completion of the multiple choice questions associated with each video recording
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge by critically analysing principles and practices that underpin the application of human factors in the workplace.
- Apply and differentiate the strategies associated with identification and remediation of human performance issues in the workplace
- Undertake a critical analysis of the role of human factors in the contemporary workplace
- Propose targeted solutions to improve the relationship between human performance and technology
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
CLASSES This unit consists of alternating face-to-face and on-line classes. Where a class in delivered on-line, students will be expected to: (a) Review a 20 minute (approx.) video clip, read the relevant chapter in the textbook together with one or two additional papers, answer questions to a short, on-line quiz, and undertake any activities as directed for that week. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Learning objectives and assessment activities are based on the requirements of a minimum 80% class attendance.
If there are exceptional circumstances where a session must be missed, this will need to be arranged with the unit convener in advance. Failure to do so implies a lack of professionalism. REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS
Required readings include chapters from the textbook, and readings listed in the Topic Notes
Textbook: Stone, N.J., Chaparro, A., Keebler, J.R., Chaparro, B.S., & McConnell, D.S. (2018). Introduction to human factors: Applying psychology to design. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook