ACIT4910 User Diversity and ICT Barriers Course description

This course covers differences in user requirements due to user heterogeneity, situational variations and the wide range of hardware, software and versions of these. Identification of disabling barriers and how these can be eliminated or reduced through universal design of ICT is a central theme in this course. Furthermore relevant guidelines, regulations and legislation will be covered.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student  has: 

• thorough knowledge of diversity among users, equipment and user situations
• thorough knowledge of demography and age structure of society, trends and tendencies and their implications for universal design of ICT
• thorough knowledge of sensory, motor and cognitive disabilities
• thorough knowledge of the concept of disability and the Gap model
• advanced knowledge of disabling barriers in ICT solutions
• advanced knowledge about universal design and accessibility
• thorough knowledge about accommodation, assistive technology and welfare technology
• has advanced knowledge of relevant laws, policies and standards

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• analyse and deal critically with different user requirements, and apply these to structure and formulate arguments regarding accessibility, accommodation, and universal design of ICT
• analyse contradictions within/between universal design, accessibility and accommodation in different situations

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• disabling barriers of ICT solutions based on the Gap model
• can carry out independent study and master dedicated terminology related to user diversity, impairment, disability and universal design
• communicate scientific problems, analysis and conclusions in ICT and user diversity, impairment, disability and universal design to both specialists in health care and the general public  

This course is organized as a series of seminars where students under supervision present core concepts and topics in the literature. The presentations are followed by in-class discussions and practical activities. Guest lectures will be held on chosen topics. There will be visits to, for example, public institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and rehabilitation centres. Students work on a project assignment under supervision.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Two individual oral presentations of research articles in class (45 minutes per presentation including questions). One presentation is on an assigned article and the other article is selected by the student.
• Being opponent against two student presentations and prepare three questions for each of these.
• Participation:
  • There is a minimum 80% mandatory attendance in this course. Students who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to sit the exam.
  • Obligatory participation in two excursions is required in order for the student to pass this course. The dates for the excursions will be announced at semester start.

Exam in two part:

• Individual project report (4000-5000 words). The project examination counts 70% of the final grade.
• Individual oral examination (20 minutes for each candidate). The oral examination counts 30% of the final grade.

Both exams must be passed in order to pass the course.

The oral examination cannot be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for registering for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

All aids are permitted for the project, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

For the oral exam, students will not have access to computers or other aids.

Grade Scale A-F.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.

Associate Professor Norun Christine Sanderson

The course is equivalent to previous courses MAUU4200 and MAUUD4200.

Attempts made in equivalent courses will count towards the limit of 3 exam-attempts per course.