KV7010 - Principles of HCI

Throughout the module, you will develop a portfolio of ideas, methods, and examples that support your critical understanding of human-technology interaction.

You will learn through a combination of:
· Lectures, which will introduce HCI theories and methods in relation to contemporary challenges
· Hands-on workshops, which will offer structured opportunities to apply these ideas through practical activities, peer discussion, and case-based analysis
· Independent study.
· Formative and peer feedback is embedded throughout the module and especially in the workshop sessions to ensure clarity, confidence, and personalised development to strengthen skills around critical thinking, research planning, and reporting. There will also be opportunities for peer-feedback through practices of design crits.

This work will feed into a final individual project that enables you to demonstrate your ability to synthesise theory, method, and real-world insight in a creative and research-informed way. The learning approach is active, reflective, and designed to build confidence and independence in engaging with HCI concepts and practices.

You will be supported by lecturers during the timetabled sessions (lectures and workshops) where you will receive formative feedback on your work. You will also be able to communicate with the teaching team via email. The University’s eLearning Portal offers remote access to all lecture and seminar materials to reinforce your learning. In addition, the University Library offers support for all students through the provision of digital reading lists.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• ML01 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key theories, principles, paradigms, and methods in HCI.
• MLO2 Demonstrate critical understanding of how HCI engages with contemporary issues such as health, wellbeing, work, and inclusion

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MLO3 Critically evaluate, select and apply appropriate theoretical and methodological lenses for understanding user needs and contexts.
• MLO4 Communicate user-centred insights effectively through visual and written formats that synthesise theory, method, and lived experience.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MLO5 Critically reflect on the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of technology design and its impact on diverse users and communities

One summative assessment for the course will comprise:

• Individual research-informed poster (one side of A2) in which students apply an HCI theory and method to analyse a substantial eal-world technology challenge, communicating insights through a visually engaging and critically reflective format (MLO 1-5).
• Poster Report (1500 words) in which students critically evaluate what they’ve learnt and how they accounted for formative and peer feedback during workshops (MLO1, MLO2, MLO4, MLO5).

Formal written feedback on the assessment will be provided for the coursework.


Programme (Level) Learning Outcomes that this module contributes to:
[Please insert PLO number as listed on the programme specification]

This Level 7 Module addresses the following PLOs as listed in the relevant programme specifications:

K&U: 1, 2, 3
IPSA: 1, 2
PVA: 1, 2

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Principles of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) introduces students to the core ideas that underpin the design, development, and evaluation of interactive technologies. Students will explore how people’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical experiences shape their engagement with technology, and how thoughtful, inclusive, and research-driven design can better support those experiences. This module introduces students to key principles, theories, and methods that define HCI, with an emphasis on applying these tools to understand how HCI engages with real-world issues through interactive lectures and practical, student-centred workshops.

Research-rich learning is embedded throughout the module: you will engage with current literature, explore research-led case studies, and interpret empirical findings with a critical lens. Workshops provide structured space for exploring HCI methods, while digital tools and templates will scaffold your learning. You will be taught by academics who have published extensively in the field of HCI.

The module supports a wide range of future careers in user experience (UX) research, service design, digital inclusion, and responsible innovation. Students will gain the ability to select and justify appropriate methods, communicate insights clearly, and reflect on the ethical and equity implications of their work - skills that are increasingly in demand in across technology, design, healthcare, and the public sector.