2012 Syllabus

Date Topic Reading (before class!) In Class Group Activity Assignment (due next class) Notes
2/7 Mobile Applications Overview/Generative Research Methods Overview of research areas in mobile computing. Discussion of the domains and structures of mobile applications. Discussion of how mobile technology is changing communication patterns. Overview of methods used to create new concepts based in field observations. None Share interests, begin to form project gorups Mobile observation study (10%) notes
2/14 Qualitative Data Analysis / Android Fundamentals: Performing analysis of user data to generate concept ideas. Fundamentals of programming on Android devices. Differences from desktop Java. Small overview of iPhone programming. Outline for proposals. Contextual Design Affinity analysis of observation study, informal report on observations Proposal (15%), HelloWorld on device (5%) notes
2/28 Proposal Presentations: Students present proposals for semester projects. Applying UCD to Mobile Application Development
3/6 Mobile Design / Paper Prototyping: Going from requirements to an interaction model down to the design of screens. Rapid prototyping and evaluation. Discovering usability problems early. Prototyping For Tiny Fingers
References:
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
3-4 screens prototyped Complete paper prototype (10%) notes
3/13 Usability / Mobile Location / Networking: Usability testing of paper prototypes. Novel applications of location in social, media tagging, and public safety applications. Mobile location technology including GPS/CellID/Wifi localization. Networking capabilities of mobile devices. Best practices in writing mobile networking code. Testing of paper prototypes. Discuss anticipated technological hurdles Location/Networking/Usability Assignments (10%, due 3/20) notes
3/20 Mobile Persuasion / Urban Computing: Mobile applications that encourage positivie behavior changes (exercise, diet, social, etc.). Systems that combine physical interaction in the world with mobile technology. UbiFit Garden, Persuasive Games Share results of location and networking assignment. Prepare poster/demo on current project state (15%, due 4/3) notes
4/3 Poster/Demo session: Share current progress on project with the class. Present posters and demos.
4/10 Field Evaluation: Methods for evaluating mobile computing concepts through everyday use. Diary studies, logging, understanding long-term use. Serendipitous Family Stories Plan methods and logistics of your field study. notes
4/24 Large Scale Research / Distribution / Instrumentation: Launching research projects in app stores. Business models for mobile services. Instrumenting applications to collect analytics data. None Gather data from other users of your application. Continue working on final project and iterating based on data from your field study. notes
5/1 Final Project Triage: Get help with any remaining issues for final projects. None Share latest progress. Continue working on final project (25%)
5/8, 5/15 Final Presentations None None Final written report due Friday, May 18, noon in Ed Barrett's office (14N-336).