CMSC 434/828S - Intro to HCI

Human-Computer Interaction
CMSC 434/828S
Fall 2002
Prof. François Guimbretière (sec. 0101)
Homework #3
Due November 21, 2002

Overview

For this design homework you will build a simple interface for an alarm clock, which allows users to set an alarm by time and days of the week. For example, you can have different wake up times on weekdays and weekends. You have the creative license to design an interface of your choice. The clock should also display the current time and date.

What you have to do

Design the digital clock interface. The interface should let users set time, and set an alarm by time and days of the week. The clock should also display the current time and date.

Implement your design. See below for the implementation guide lines.

Using the KLM model, predict the time it will take to:

Set the clock time,
Set a new alarm time,
Cancel an alarm time,
Stop the alarm.

Using at least 6 different users, measure the average time it takes to:

Set the clock time,
Set a new alarm time,
Cancel an alarm time,
Stop the alarm.

Implementation

For this project, you have to choose the specifics of how to implement your project within certain limits.

Platform

All projects must be able to run under Windows 2000 (or NT), or Windows 98. You can expect that the machine you will be running your project on will have a Java 2 virtual machine, and can execute Flash web pages. Finally you can expect the computer to have at least a CD-ROM drive.

Software

You are free to pick any programming languages (C++, Virtual Basic, C#, Java, Flash, Director...) and development environment you wish as long as the resulting program runs on the configuration described under the Platform section.

Deliverables

Your homework should contain:

(20 points) For each of the following features, at least 10 ideas (described by a sketch or a short paragraph) showing how to implement this feature:

Set the clock time,
Set a new alarm time,

(20 points) A half page rational explaining your final design. The rational has to be based on HCI principles discussed in the class. Please include illustrations of your final implementation, using screen snapshots,

(20 points) Your KLM analysis and the time you are predicting for:

Set the clock time,
Set a new alarm time,
Cancel an alarm time,
Stop the alarm.

(10 points) The average time measured (and how you measured it) for:

Set the clock time,
Set a new alarm time,
Cancel an alarm time,
Stop the alarm.

(10 points) An explanation of the discrepancies between predicted and measured times.