*Update: as of 4/17, I'm closing the class to undergrad enrollment so that we can hold a few spots for graduate students. You can still fill out the form as an undergrad and I'll have that information in a "waitlist." If people drop at the start of the semester, you may be admitted*
To be considered for a permission number fill out this form: https://forms.gle/4xWHCAuHcDjaQJKu9
Welcome, and thank you for your interest in CSci 5127W "Embodied Computing"!
In this class, you will learn how to design and build user-facing devices and systems that aren't just apps, websites, or computer programs. Embodied systems combine hardware and software elements to allow people to solve real-world problems. There is a semester-long group project, which involves doing user research, designing and building a system, writing a paper about it, and creating a video demo for it. Some examples of past projects include a networked donation fridge, playground check-in systems to support free-range parenting, and a device for supporting grandparent-grandchild communication. Students are encouraged to submit their work for publication (most specifically for the CHI Student Design competition, but other venues are also discussed). In addition to this project, each student will also be expected to independently learn some kind of an embodied computing skill (e.g., API, piece of hardware, rapid prototyping skill, etc.), apply it to a demo project, and create an online tutorial to teach the skill to others.
The course is restricted to enrollment by instructor permission because I want to make sure that students who enroll are well-positioned for success in the course. There isn't a particular level of seniority or single past pre-requisite for success, but students are expected to have had some prior experience with relevant skills AND be comfortable with independent learning. This class includes some challenging soft skills such as group work, independent learning, technical writing, and managing a large semester-long project. It also includes some challenging technical skills such as research methods, user-interface design, rapid prototyping, and hardware that might be new for each student. You don't have to have prior experience with all the soft and hard skills in this course to succeed, but if ALL these things are new to you, this course will be a challenge.
*Update: as of 4/17, I'm closing the class to undergrad enrollment so that we can hold a few spots for graduate students. You can still fill out the form as an undergrad and I'll have that information in a "waitlist." If people drop at the start of the semester, you may be admitted*
To be considered for a permission number fill out this form: https://forms.gle/4xWHCAuHcDjaQJKu9