Hello, I am looking to start studying at the OU this year towards the Open Degree. The subjects I wish to cover are psychology (primarily cognitive), technology and design. These all relate closely to my day-to-day work as a UX designer. I do a lot of usability testing and studying of how people use web applications and software.
As a route to studying cognitive psychology at level 3, I have taken on board the recommendation in the module outline to study DSE212 - Exploring Psychology at level 2. I am a little concerned that it won’t relate closely to my work. On one hand I feel it will give me the deeper understanding of psychology that I will need to progress to studying cognitive psychology, but on the other I am unsure whether I will need to cover all of the ground the module explores.
Is there anyone else here who has been in the same quandary? Any other UX designers who have an interest in cognitive psychology and pursued this module as a stepping stone to explore cognition at level 3?
Hi
The OU psychology courses are theoretical relevant to a Psychology degree and meet the GBR BPS guidelines.
DSE212 wont be relevant to your day-to-day job as it focuses on classic case studies etc perhaps a specialist HCI/UX type postgraduate course would be ?
But psychology is a fascinating subject, no harm gaining a deeper understanding of the subject as a whole and provide a stepping stone for further study.
Best
Thanks Alastair. I am certainly working towards a HCI at postgraduate level, but first I need to get a degree. I am sure I will be able to find some relevance to my day job and apply the learning somehow.
Hi
Psychology is a great subject, I am coming to the end of Level 1 and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I come from a non social-sciences background and the course will eventually provide a stepping stone for further study into management.
A good tip - If you can research some side projects related to your background/career goals, help strengthen your learning of the material and good for your CV.
Good tip. I will certainly be trying to do that throughout the course of my studies.
Hello Kevin,
Next month I will sit my social psychology exam. It is my final course for my BSc (Hons) Psychology. I also started to study psychology in relation to human computer interaction (HCI).
DSE212 is very broad and will only cover cognitve psychology to some extent. Chapters of the text book "Mapping Psychology" are:
1 Identities and diversities
2 Evolutionary psychology
3 Three approaches to learning
4 Biological processes and psychological explanation
5 The individual differences approach to personality
6 Perception and attention (highly HCI relevant)
7 Perceiving and understanding the social world
8 Memory: structures, processes and skills (highly HCI relevant)
9 Person psychology: psychoanalytic and humanistic perspectives
So chapter 6 and 8 are the ones that really relate to human computer interaction.
However, level 2 courses prepare students to study on level 3. A level 3 psychology course without having studied psychology on level 2 might be a disadvantage.
Additionally, psychology really is fascinating as it always relates to oneself. I really liked all psychology courses. It really opened my mind in how we behave and think. So I would not see the non HCI related chapters of the DSE212 text book as wasted time but as a benefit to learn more about humans.
I am wondering what other courses you are going to do for your HCI focussed open degree?
Kind regards,
Markus
Hey Markus, sorry for not replying sooner. I have only just come back to the forum again since early September.
I really appreciate your in-depth description and it is helpful that you are HCI focussed too so were able to portray that.
Okay, so what other courses am I thinking of doing are:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
I might swap out the T215 for another design related course at level 2. I am hoping to be able to add some points from my Certificate of Higher Education in Graphic Communication. My application for credit transfer is going through at the moment.
Markus, I would really like to chat with you some more about your experience with the psychology modules and you studying towards HCI. These forums seem limited in ability to add you as a contact, send you a personal message etc. Shoot me an email to kevin [at] digikev [dot-co-dot-uk] if you wouldn’t mind?