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Coursework
Computers and Humans (BASC0048)
Deadline: 17.00 on Wednesday 23 April 2025
Assessment Title: The Human Experience of Technology: A Critical
HCI Analysis
Assignment Brief:
In this essay, you will select a technological artifact and critically analyse it through the
lens of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Your evaluation should consider its impact
on users, society, and broader human experiences, incorporating both positive and
negative outcomes.
Your analysis should explore usability, accessibility, interaction design, cognitive or
psychological factors, ethical implications, and any challenges that arise from its use.
You are encouraged to apply relevant HCI theories and frameworks to support your
discussion.
You may choose to analyse one of these only:
Physical devices (e.g., smartphones, wearables, VR headsets)
General technologies (e.g., biometric authentication, recommendation
algorithms, IoT)
Websites or apps (e.g., social media platforms, mental health apps, digital
banking)
Your discussion must be supported by academic and reputable sources and focused
on current or emerging technologies, avoiding science-fiction-based technologies.
Word Limit: 2,500 words (±10%)
Essay Structure
1. Introduction
Introduce the technology you are analysing and its relevance to HCI.
Provide background information on its development, purpose, and significance.
Justify your choice of this particular artifact and outline the key issues to be
explored.
2. Literature Review
Review previous research and key literature on the technology and its
interaction with users.
Summarise important findings, usability studies, psychological impacts, or
societal discussions.
Identify gaps in existing research or unresolved challenges.
3. Critical Discussion (Main Section)
This section should critically analyse the chosen technology, focusing on usability,
accessibility, cognitive and psychological effects, and ethical concerns. Use HCI
theories and frameworks to support your arguments.
Usability and Accessibility – Assess the technology’s ease of use, efficiency,
and inclusivity. Identify barriers for different user groups, including those with
disabilities.
Cognitive and Psychological Impact – Discuss how the technology
influences attention, behaviour, and decision-making. Consider whether it
enhances user experience or exploits cognitive biases.
Ethical and Societal Considerations – Evaluate privacy, security, and
potential biases. Analyse the trade-offs between user benefits and ethical
concerns.
Recommendations and Reflections – Suggest improvements in design,
usability, and ethical considerations. Reflect on the broader impact and future
directions for human-centred technology.
4. Conclusion
Summarise the main findings and key takeaways.
Reflect on the broader implications for HCI and future developments.
Offer possible recommendations for improving the technology from an HCI
perspective.
Assessment Criteria
Your essay will be evaluated based on the following:
Category Weight
Introduction – clear and concise, sets the scene for the rest of report 10
Theories – at least one, detailed and relevant information, backed up with
references
15
Academic literature – well evidenced with relevant/recent research 15
Discussion – links between theories and chosen technology critically
identified and backed up with references
25
Reflection – demonstrates an understanding from a personal/critical
perspective
10
Academic Style – 1) well written and articulated, 2) clearly structured into
paragraphs, 3) good flow from introduction to discussion, 4) depth of
evaluation, 5) appropriate referencing
25
Additional Notes
Use reputable sources (academic papers, books, reports) rather than opinion
pieces or unreliable websites.
AI tools can be used responsibly, similar to search engines, for research
assistance—ensure that all sources are properly cited.
You are encouraged to include tables, images, and graphs to support your
arguments
Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Marking Rubric
Mark Quality of answer
80+ An answer showing outstanding understanding that displays a very high
degree of accuracy, insight, and style, and originality in responding to the
question, and is well structured. To fall into this range, an answer has to
display all of these qualities
70-79 An answer showing very clear understanding and a high degree of accuracy,
which provides a cogent and well-structured argument focused on the
question with a significant level of insight and a degree of originality.
60-69 An answer showing clear understanding and a good level of accuracy that
provides a coherent, sustained, and well-structured argument focused on
the question. To fall into this range, an answer has to display all of these
qualities and should not decisively show any of the negative qualities listed
under the criteria for a 50-59. Answers where there is some evidence of the
negative qualities listed under the criteria for a 50-59 will receive a mark
between 60 and 64.
50-59 An answer that concentrates on the subject matter of the question, that
displays relevant knowledge and is generally accurate, but which either
shows significant limitations in understanding, or presents a discussion that
is not focused on the question, or is partially unstructured, or where the
discussion is not sustained through the course of the essay. To fall into this
range, an answer has to display these positive qualities and should not show
any of the negative qualities listed under the criteria for a 40-49.
40-49 An answer generally relevant to the subject matter of the question, but one
that contains a large number of inaccuracies, or shows significantly
inadequate knowledge, or presents an unstructured and disjointed
discussion. To fall into this range, an answer should not show any of the
negative qualities listed under the criteria for a 21-39.
21-39 An answer that either displays a lack of crucial knowledge, or has no
structure, or is radically incomplete, or is almost entirely irrelevant to the
question, or contains an extremely high number of inaccuracies.
1-20 A single paragraph of conventional paragraph length, or an answer that is
entirely irrelevant, should receive a mark not higher than 20.