HDS734 - Inclusive Design and Technology

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Gemma Digby
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning activities including weekly 90 minute online seminars.

Content

Innovative technologies and designs play an essential role in building an inclusive society. This unit will challenge students to consider what is possible in inclusive technology and design, with a specific focus on people with disability. In this unit, students will explore how assistive and mainstream technologies are designed, appraised, hacked and implemented to produce meaningful inclusion outcomes. The unit will address how people with disability use and experience mainstream technologies, and will also introduce students to a range of specialized assistive technologies including augmentative and alternative communication, computer access, environmental modifications, and wheeled mobility.

Using a problem-based learning approach, students will develop broad knowledge of design theories such as Universal Design, Inclusive Design, and Design Thinking. They will also develop techniques for consulting and co-designing with diverse populations. The practical tasks in the unit will guide students as they design and prototype a tailored technology solution for an individual with disability.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1 Critically analyse the value and application of assistive technologies, inclusive design, and universal design, for the inclusion of people with disability in contemporary society.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Apply inclusive and universal design principles and source relevant evidence to evaluate the impact of mainstream and assistive technologies for end-users.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO3

Critically analyse the extent to which established policies, legislation, and models of practice promote the inclusion of people with disability in contemporary design processes and products.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4 Demonstrate the skilled application of design thinking techniques and mindsets to the design and evaluation of authentic technological solutions that overcome barriers to inclusion.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO5 Understands and engages in respectful, inclusive, professional, and reflective practices for consultation and co-design across a range of settings.

GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO6: Self-management
GLO7: Teamwork

Assessment

Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Collaborative online design thinking practice. 1000 words 20%
  • Week 6
Assessment 2: Design brief and problem statement. Written submission 2000 words 40%
  • Week 7
Assessment 3: Design pitch 15 minutes, 2000 words 40%
  • Study period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HDS734 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.