Intro to Human Centered Computing 

CS 6451

Tentative Syllabus, Fall 2023

CS 6451: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN-CENTERED COMPUTING (HCC1)

Instructor: Rosa Arriaga Office: TSRB 230A                     Office Hours: after class, or email for an appointment.

Time: Monday & Wednesday, 9:30–10:45 am                                  Location: Howey Physics S107 (will change after first week) 

Schedule: Class and reading schedule

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This class provides an introduction to the field of Human-Centered Computing. It is designed for incoming, first semester HCC PhD students.

This class introduces students to theoretical readings that inform the School of Interactive Computing’s approach to Human-Centered Computing. The class is recommended for students with a theoretical bent. Master’s students considering a PhD in the future may enjoy this class (a recommendation from an HCC faculty is required). If you are an interdisciplinary student mainly seeking a general introduction to how computing systems for humans are designed, then the class you are looking for is most likely CS 6750, Human-Computer Interaction.

Topics covered include an introduction to a wide range of theories, and their application to the design of interactive computing systems, including:

Where ever possible, we try to pair a theoretical reading with an application of that theory to human-centered computing. The applications papers are not necessarily foundational to the field, but are good examples of the use of theories and illustrate theory’s relevance.

READINGS

A goal of this course is to expose incoming HCC PhD students to the majority of HCC Core Reading List. These readings along with those from the students specialization are the bases for the first day of the qualifying exam.   Another subset of the list is covered in HCC 3.The HCC Core Reading List includes a number of books but you do not have to buy them for this class. We will provide copies of the material that is required.   

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Assignments

Assignments will be graded out of 100 and according to the criteria listed for each assignment that could include quality of writing, completeness, insight into technical issues, insight into social issues, etc.

Late Policy

Assignments are due at the start of class on the day they are due. Over the course of the term, you have three “late days” where work may be late with no explanation needed. Once you have used up your late days, late assignments will be penalized at a rate of 5 pts (e.g., 10 points from A to B) per day. Assignments more than one week late will not be accepted.

Reading reflections may not be late.

Class Participation 20%

Research is a discursive practice. We write, we ask questions, we discuss. You cannot learn all that you will need to learn without engaging with others. Graduate School is the perfect place to work on this skill. Graduate School is an apprenticeship for what will come afterwards. Take advantage of the fact that you are learning with others in this safe space. Practice speaking in class. Come to class with questions. You think you are the only one with that question, unlikely.

Class attendance and participation are intertwined. Students get 2 points for attending class and participating in class discussion.

Class starts at 9:30am and students are expected to be on time. Coming in late disrupts the class. Students will get one warning and will thereafter receive partial attendance/participation credit (1 point).

Week 1- 2

Class participation also includes homework (HW) assignments. The point of these HW assignments is to guide you in extracting information that will be relevant to the class discussion for that day. HW assignments will earn a check/check plus/check-minus. Most HWs will receive a "check" this means well done, good extraction and synthesis. A "check plus" means you did a great job, provided some insight. A check minus means the contribution met the minimal expected standard for graduate work, no insight but I can tell you read the material. If students do not meet the minimal requirements for homework they will receive an "X". 

HW will provide an opportunity for you to practice skills which will be critical in developing your Reading Reflections. These activity ask you to summarize readings, extrapolate concepts between readings and to share your insights about how the readings relate to each other and to the topic at hand.

Class attendance is required. This is a small class, so please email the instructor in advance if you can’t attend for some reason. Legitimate reasons for missing class include illness (please keep your germs to yourself–we’ll give you good notes–we promise!), a job interview, or attending a conference. Excuses that will not be accepted include for example picking someone up at the airport, having something due in another class, or having furniture delivered.

PORTFOLIO: We have no final in this class, instead you will prepare a NOTEBOOK with the following tabs: Reflections (3 best), Elevator Pitch, Research Proposal, Mini Project 1 & 2.

Grade Overview for Participation

A Grade Participation (90-100%) : you come to class prepared, with thoughtful notes/questions based on reading and reflecting on the materials. You participate by listening to others and encouraging them to speak. You have insights and questions to share.You earned mostly check pluses in your homework

B Grade Participation (80-89%) : you have comments but they are not deeply connected to the readings. You may respond to others questions, but you don’t share any deeper insights or raise questions of your own. You have opinions but not ideas.You earned an even number of checks and check pluses in your homework

C and less Participation (79-70%) you may or may not have done the readings. You spent no time with them of any substance.You earned mostly check minuses or Xs in your homework.

Reading Reflections 20% (Best 8 of 11)

Due: Start of class, the day the reading is assigned. You owe one reading reflection each week, Weeks 3–14.

Format: 12 pt font, double spaced. 

Length: Approx. 2–4 pages

Pick an assigned course reading and write a one to two page ‘reflection’ on that reading.  Each reflection should include a) a summary of the important points (perhaps why these are interesting to you) and b) some extrapolation to other readings or themes in the class c)personal commentary (Is it relevant for your work in some way? had you read material outside of this class that this relates to?, Does it touch on some current event?You should also attempt to provide some insight into how the readings are related, how they effect your understanding of HCC or your research approach. The reflection may focus on one reading, or you may compare and contrast more than one.

While it’s OK to say some critical things about the paper, keep in mind that you can rip everything to shreds. The best paper has flaws. It’s a better use of your time to focus on what is good about a paper than what is wrong with it.

Each reflection will be graded out of 100. You can earn up to 20% of your entire grade via reading reflections. Reading reflections will be associated with the readings in Weeks 3–13. Reflections are due at the start of class on the day the reading is assigned, and will not be accepted late. Each reflection will generally earn a 90/80/70. Most reflections will receive an 80%--that means well done, good reflection. A 90% means "you did a great job." A 70% means the contribution met the minimal expected standard for graduate work, no insight but I can tell you read the material. 60% the reflection doesn't show that you did the reading. 

LATE REFLECTIONS are not an option. They will not be graded -- but the good news is that you get to SKIP up to three.

Mini-Projects 20% (due week 9 and 15)

The purpose of the mini-project is to allow you to explore the breadth of research that is being performed by faculty in the Human-Centered Computing program. You may want to make it a goal of your mini-project to explore a community of practice that is outside of your immediate research interest or area.

Elevator Pitch 20%

Due: see class schedule

Format: 12 pt font, double spaced

Length:  2-3 minutes long

Grading criteria:

Write an “elevator pitch” for a research project you would like to do. As succinctly as possible, describe the research questions and methods you will use. Why is this work interesting?

You will deliver your elevator pitch in class, it should be no more than 2-3 minutes long.

Research Proposal 20%

Writing research proposals is a critical part of academic life. Proposals provide funds for moving our research agenda forward (i.e., answering important research questions) and supporting students. Getting proposals funded is one way that we get feedback that our work is compelling and relevant.

Due: see class schedule

Format: 12 pt font, double spaced

Length: 10–12 pages

Identify a Funding Call! Ask your advisor what funding calls s/he/they are attending to.

Easy Option: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), deadline is OCTOBER 17th, 2023

Grading criteria:

Write a proposal for a research project:

Begin by providing the background/rationale that motivates your research questions. Proceed by stating the research question(s) and why they are important. Next you will state your research AIMS (as you would for an NSF or NIH proposal).Next, review the literature in this area. Next, describe the methods you will employ. Finally, describe risks of the project. What is hard about this work? What difficulties might you anticipate, and how will you address them? What are minimal contributions that are expected from this work

This can be directly related to your ‘elevator pitch’ idea.

*Note that the professor has included due dates for drafts of the various parts of the research proposals. These are meant to give the student feedback throughout the semester. Students will get a grade for the final document and there will be no opportunities to "improve" the document.

OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

Use of Laptops in Class

Some people like to use laptops in class to take notes. I personally prefer to take notes on paper, because I find if my laptop is open I end up getting too distracted. Please think carefully about whether using a laptop in class is the right choice for you. Whatever you decide, please do not do anything that distracts your fellow students or the professor. This is a small class and we will all notice if you are checking mail, etc

Honor Code

This class abides by the Georgia Tech Honor Code. All assigned work is expected to be individual, except where explicitly written otherwise. You are encouraged to discuss the assignments with your classmates; however, what you hand in should be your own work. Please do not use large language models as resources.

Course Evaluation

Course evaluations are an important part of how we improve the educational experience at Georgia Tech. We take your feedback very seriously, and use it to improve classes for future years. In a small class like this one, the Dean expects 100% participation on the course evaluation. If you take this class, you agree to complete your course evaluation at the end of the term. Thanks in advance–your input is really helpful!

If you need help dealing with larger issues than this class:

If you are struggling to manage with your life, there are resources that you can draw upon. The Georgia Tech Counseling Center is staffed by psychologists and mental health counselors. They offer brief, confidential counseling and crisis intervention services to students, and after-hours on-call counselors to speak and consult with students in crisis. They also offer a series of workshops for managing stress.

The Stamps Health Services offers psychiatrist services to students and spouses. Call 404–894–2585 or visit the second floor of Student Health Services.

The Office of the Dean of Students welcomes referrals if you are concerned about a colleague.

Acknowledgments

Assignments and ideas on this syllabus build on those from everyone who has taught it before, especially Mark Guzdial, Beki Grinter, Amy Bruckman, Eric Gilbert, and Colin Potts.