IFN623 Human Information Interaction
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | IFN623 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (192cps in SV03 or SV04 or IV04 or IV05 or MV05 or MV06 or BV06 or BV07 or EV08 or EV07) OR (admission into IV53 or IV57 or IV54 or IV59 or IV55 or IV52 or IV56 or IV51or IV58 or IV60) OR (admission into IN10 or IN14 or IN19 or IN20 or IN21 or IN23 or IN27 or IN31 or KC88) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,816 |
| International unit fee | $5,352 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | IFN623 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (192cps in SV03 or SV04 or IV04 or IV05 or MV05 or MV06 or BV06 or BV07 or EV08 or EV07) OR (admission into IV53 or IV57 or IV54 or IV59 or IV55 or IV52 or IV56 or IV51or IV58 or IV60) OR (admission into IN10 or IN14 or IN19 or IN20 or IN21 or IN23 or IN27 or IN31 or KC88) |
| Coordinators: | Peter Bruza | p.bruza@qut.edu.au Lauren Fell | l3.fell@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Humans usually interact with and retrieve information by means of technologically driven systems. As our information environment becomes ever more complex, these interactions are becoming more and more diverse. While much is understood about the systems side of this picture, much less is understood about how humans interact with information. The foundation of this unit is an understanding how humans process information from the viewpoint of cognitive psychology. This understanding will be translated into conceptual frameworks and associated design principles for creating effective interactions. This grounding is then mapped to contemporary technological solutions (e.g. conversational agents) which are used to augment human intelligence in highly interactive contexts. Methods to evaluate and critique both interaction effectiveness and implications for society will therefore also be covered in detail.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse user needs using an understanding of cognitive psychology and its relationship to interactive technologies.
- Integrate models of cognition with human behaviour and information processing.
- Apply theories, conceptual frameworks, methods, standards and tools for developing user centred information interaction solutions.
- Design an information interaction system drawing on relevant cognitive principles and using interactive technologies.
- Critique information interaction systems and employ appropriate governance and ethical use of information interaction in own work.
- Communicate professionally in written, oral and visual formats to a variety of audiences
Content
Unit content will be focused on developing an understanding of interactions between people and information.
This includes learning about the psycho-social-technical nexus comprising cognitive, affective, social, and organizational/institutional approaches for promoting effective human information interactions.
Emphasis is placed on technologies relevant to information professionals (e.g. conversational agents), and that present opportunities for augmenting human intelligence.
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a contextualised practice approach to information interaction, examining why it is important. Practical activities address these concepts within a socio-technical context.
Teaching will be delivered by a team with transdisciplinary expertise that covers the cognitive, informational and technological dimensions.
Conceptual material on how a cognitive understanding of interactions can improve human information interaction systems will be presented in parallel to the practical application and development of techniques for interactive technologies.
The unit will be delivered in a modular style with a focus on collaborative approaches to learning, and a mixture of online and face to face activities. You can expect to spend between 10 - 15 hours per week on average involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning.
Assessment is considered to be an integral part of the learning in the unit and provides opportunity for formative feedback.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Studio workshops, tutorials and drop-in sessions will include opportunities for discussion and receiving immediate feedback on ideas related to the conceptual content
Practical opportunities will be provided for the teaching team to view your work and provide direct feedback on it. You will be encouraged to use this feedback to enhance your opportunity for success in graded assessment tasks.
The teaching team will monitor the cohort as a whole and provide ongoing feedback throughout the semester on general progress of the cohort, or addressing specific issues that arise during the unit.
Success in this unit requires an integrated understanding of the subject matter. If you are experiencing difficulty in understanding the content and application of the materials covered in this unit, you are encouraged to make contact with your tutor to seek assistance. You are also reminded of the FREE academic support offered by the Student Success Group.
Individual feedback will be provided between assessment tasks to allow improvement over the course of the semester.
Detailed criteria sheets with any relevant comments will be provided for all assessment.
Opportunities will be provided on key tasks to receive preliminary criteria-based feedback without impact to your final grade.
Opportunities will be provided for peer feedback to enhance the authenticity of assessment tasks, and encourage engagement with significant themes.
Opportunities will be provided for self-reflection to integrate learning, feedback and self assessment.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment for this unit is designed to integrate conceptual material on Cognition, Information Interaction, and Information Technologies, within a practical context. Two assessment tasks focus on foundational knowledge and skills, critical understanding of knowledge in context, and application of knowledge. One task will focus on self-reflection. Foundational knowledge and self-reflection tasks will include formative components. All tasks are criteria referenced.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Knowledge and Skills Task
Application of theory on cognition and information interaction to design principles, and implementation in an interactive technology.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Synthesis and Application Task
Critique of information interaction system and advanced use of theory and/or interactive technologies.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Reflective Practice Journal
The reflective journal will document challenges encountered during the unit, how practice was or should have been changed to overcome them, and strategies for future learning and development.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
All learning materials and resources will be made available in the unit's Canvas site.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.IN20 Master of Information Technology
- Demonstrate advanced specialist IT knowledge in at least one information technology discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Knowledge and Skills Task, Synthesis and Application Task - Critically analyse complex IT problems and opportunities and use creativity and problem-solving skills to generate innovative and novel solutions that are convincingly justified.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, ULO5, Knowledge and Skills Task, Synthesis and Application Task, Reflective Practice Journal - Integrate advanced, industry-best practice, IT methods, tools and techniques to develop and implement complex IT systems, processes and/or software.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Knowledge and Skills Task, Synthesis and Application Task, Reflective Practice Journal - Communicate effectively in IT professional and scholarly contexts to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, visual and oral formats.
Relates to: ULO6, Synthesis and Application Task - Demonstrate business acumen and well-developed values, attitudes, behaviours and judgement in professional contexts.
Relates to: ULO5, Synthesis and Application Task, Reflective Practice Journal - Create positive change through critically reflecting upon and actioning responses to the social, cultural, ethical, sustainability, legal and accessibility issues in the IT field, including how they relate to First Nations Australians and diverse populations.
Relates to: ULO5, Synthesis and Application Task, Reflective Practice Journal