PSYC 579 - Evaluations

Marking scheme  (tentative)

1. Presentations:       10% (1 presentation)

2. Essays:                 25% (5 essays, 5% each)

3. Analyses:              20% (1% per class; best 20 used.  Done in groups)

4. Report:                  25%

5. Exam:                    20%

1. Presentations  (1)

Each presentation will be 25-30 minutes long, and cover at least two of the assigned readings for that topic.  Presentations should highlight the more important and/or interesting issues in the material for topic, and ideally will provide some added perspectives.   They must touch on both the psychological research and possible applications to visual display design.

The mark will be for content.  Feedback about style will be given by the groups, but will not count towards a mark.

*Note*: A limited number of people will be able to replace two essays with a second presentation.  This will be done on a first-come-first-served basis, with the constraint that everyone must give at least one presentation.

Format

o   Use your own laptop, or bring in on memory stick

o   Send in pdf file as class notes beforehand

            - send in by 12 hours before before class

2. Essays (5)

Each essay will be no more than 600 words.  It will cover the same topic and readings as the presentation, but from the "opposite" side: For a presentation on perceptual mechanisms, the essay will discuss and justify 3 potential / existing concrete design applications in any area covered by the readings that week, or earlier; for a presentation on applications, the essay will discuss and justify 3 potentially relevant perceptual mechanisms in any area covered by the readings that week, or earlier. The essay will explain each choice in detail, and give reasons for it.  (For more details, see essays.)

*Note*: A limited number of people will be able to replace two essays with a second presentation.  This will be done on a first-come-first-served basis after everyone has been assigned one presentation.

Format

o   Send in pdf file beforehand – 12 hours before before class

o   Typographic format—see essays

3. Analyses (20)

After the presentation, students will form groups and analyze the essay written on the topic.  The group will determine the 3 best things and 3 greatest problems about that essay, for both content and style.

The group itself will be marked for the quality of its analysis.  (All members are expected to participate in this, whether they are taking the course for credit or auditing.)  Over the course of the term, 22 analyses will be carried out (1 per class).  The best 20 marks will be used.

Note: Only the students in the group that day will receive the mark for that analysis.

4. Reports (1)

A report analyzing the design aspects of an existing system forms 25% of the total mark.  The purpose of this report is to examine a visual interface and determine whether it is designed optimally from the point of view of perceptual mechanisms, and if not, what might help with its redesign. 

This report is due at the time of the final exam, at the end of the course.   It must have the appropriate format.

5. Exam (1)

A final 90-minute exam forms 20% of the total mark.  The intent of this exam is to verify that students have a working knowledge of the material, and how to apply it.

 


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