Unit of Inquiry 1: Ergonomic investigations (SL)

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Contents

• Overview

• Teaching Resources

  • A1.1 Ergonomics

  • A2.1 User-centred research methods

  • B1.1 User-centred design

  • B2.2 Modelling and prototyping

  • C1.1 Responsibility of the designer

  • C1.2 Inclusive design

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Overview

This unit of inquiry focuses on the practical aspects of ergonomic investigations within User Centered Design (UCD). The table below demonstrates the interconnectedness of the curriculum, emphasizing ergonomic investigations across three key domains:

Through critical thinking, practical activities and context, students will:

• explore the use of research methods for human factor data and identify key ergonomic considerations relevant to user-centred practices

• examine how ergonomics influences modelling and prototyping in designing potential solutions. The use of ergonomics in informing successful inclusive design, with a focus on its significance and its role in UCD processes, is emphasized

• explore inclusive design, considering the impact of personal bias in user-centred research methods, and how to design with inclusivity in mind

• understand the importance of accessibility and usability in product analysis and evaluation, emphasizing their collective influence on the overall effectiveness of UCD.

Linking questions

1. How are user-centred research methods used to collect human factor data? (A2.1)

2. Which aspects of ergonomics are appropriate for user-centred design (UCD) practice? (B1.1)

3. How does ergonomics affect modelling and prototyping of potential design solutions? (B2.2)

4. How important is ergonomics to inform effective inclusive design? (C1.2)

5. How important is a good understanding of user-centred research methods to ensure effective UCD?

6. (A2.1)

7. To what extent does UCD rely on a strong foundation of ergonomics? (A1.1)

8. To what extent can the UCD process be influenced by the quality of modelling and prototyping of

9. potential design solutions? (B2.2)

10. To what extent should a UCD process focus on ensuring inclusive design? (C1.2)

Possible HL connections

From the following content strands, teachers may explore the HL syllabus that focuses on the learning experiences in developing products for enhanced accessibility and usability that use these systems.

• B3.2 Structural systems application and selection

• B3.3 Mechanical systems application and selection

• B3.4 Electronic systems application and selection

• For context, review C1.3 Beyond usability (HL only).

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Teaching Resources

A1.1 Ergonomics

A1.1 Part 1 Video Presentation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hguYsIH9KU

Link to Presentation in Video

A1.1 Part 2 Video Presentation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRNo2ylF3Lk

Link to Presentation in Video

1.1.1 to 1.1.2

Ergonomics.pdf

Download PDF • 845KB

1.1.3 to 1.1.5

Percentiles Adjustability Reach.pdf

Download PDF • 624KB

Percentiles Example.xlsx

Download XLSX • 15KB

1.1.6

Physiology.pdf

Download PDF • 1.32MB

1.1.7

Psychology.pdf

Download PDF • 928KB

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A2.1 User-centred research methods

→ also in Units 2 and 5

To be added

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B1.1 User-centred design

→ also in Units 2, 3, and 5

To be added

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B2.2 Modelling and prototyping

→ also in Units 2, 3, and 4

To be added

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C1.1 Responsibility of the designer

To be added

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C1.2 Inclusive design

→ also in Units 4 and 5

To be added