A course project will be a major component of your work. This will require hands-on experience with HCI, while remaining open to different possibilities.
Because you are still new to HCI research, we do not necessarily expect you to produce publishable work. Instead, the expectation is that you will do something interesting. It is then up to you to define interesting according to what you want to accomplish in this project, seeking appropriate feedback from staff. For example, you might choose to:
We expect most students will do projects in groups of three. We will consider groups of two, and very strongly discourage individuals. Working in groups is a necessary part of doing research, and also important for the logistics of this course.
Some sample project ideas, gathered from faculty and researchers, have been made available here:
https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1138154/discussion_topics/3752044
You can also use that discussion identify potential project partners and to post your own ideas.
Sample project deliverables from prior offerings have been made available here:
https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1138154/files/folder/project_samples
Course staff will be available to meet and provide early feedback on Monday April 3 and Friday April 7. Meeting is optional. You can also email to request feedback or to inquire about arranging another time to meet. Sign up for the reserved meeting times here:
http://doodle.com/poll/f6cha4mq2ttns2ra
Project deliverables are defined in terms of a proposal, a pair of self-defined milestones, and a final report. These are due:
Your proposal will define your initial plan for this project. You can and should update this plan based on feedback, progress, and findings. But the proposal needs to demonstrate a robust initial plan for your project.
You are welcome and even encouraged to align your project with your research goals outside this course. However, it is critical to define what you will specifically accomplish in the course project. The course project must stand on its own.
Proposals consist of a short document and a short in-class presentation.
Prepare a 1 page document addressing the following points:
What makes the project interesting? What is the problem or research question?
What is the pain point you want to solve, the new capability you want to enable, or the research you want to explore?
What existing understanding of the problem has been developed?
For a research proposal, this will briefly cover the most important related work in the space you are exploring.
For a design proposal, this will introduce existing solutions, why they fall short, and the potential opportunity.
What milestones will the group plan to accomplish?
There are two milestone reports in the quarter, one early and one late. These are opportunities for feedback and guidance from staff and classmates.
Explain what your group will plan to accomplish by each of these milestones. You will be asked to revisit these plans during those milestone reports.
What might the group explicitly decide to omit?
Progress requires compromise, as you cannot accomplish everything. Explain what aspects of the project you might choose to ignore or defer in this course. This is your opportunity to scope the project appropriately for this course.
Prepare a presentation consisting of 3 to 4 slides.
Each group will give a short in-class presentation of their proposal. This is an opportunity for feedback from staff and classmates. Your presentation should cover the same information as the document.
This is an opportunity for feedback, not a formal presentation. Please be appropriately candid, thoughtful, and engaged.
Due: Uploaded the night before class Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Submit your proposal document in PDF format:
https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1138154/assignments/3697851
Submit your proposal presentation in PDF, PPT, or PPTX format:
https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1138154/assignments/3697898
Two milestone reports serve as a check on the trajectory of your project and an opportunity for feedback and guidance from staff and classmates. Convey the state of your project and your plans for the remainder of the quarter.
Milestone reports consist of a short document and a short in-class presentation.
Prepare a 1 page document addressing the following points:
Prepare a presentation consisting of 3 to 4 slides.
Each group will give a short in-class presentation of their proposal. This is an opportunity for feedback from staff and classmates. Your presentation should cover the same information as the document.
This is an opportunity for feedback, not a formal presentation. Please be appropriately candid, thoughtful, and engaged.
Due: Uploaded the night before class Thursday, April 27, 2017 and Thursday, May 30, 2017.
Submit your milestone document in PDF format.
Submit your milestone presentation in PDF, PPT, or PPTX format.
Prepare a final report that is 4 to 10 pages in length, excluding references.
Your final report should be presented in the same general structure as the papers you read this quarter:
Write according to the content you have. Be appropriately thorough and precise in your presentation, but do not needlessly pad your text.
Format your report according to the SIGCHI Document Format:
https://sigchi.github.io/Document-Formats/
Additional guidance regarding effective paper writing can be found in:
Jacob O. Wobbrock. Catchy Titles are Good: But Avoid Being Cute. Writing Advice, White Paper, 2015.
Due: Uploaded by the end of day Monday, June 5, 2017.
https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1138154/assignments/3697976
Submit your final report document in PDF format.