CSS 290 – Technology, Culture, and Human-Computer Interaction

Spring 2013

Room LBA 003, F 8:45am – 10:45pm
Library Annex 003

University of Washington Bothell

 

 

Name

Email

Peter Gruenbaum

peter@sdkbridge.com

Office Hours:

By appointment

Phone

 

(206)-226-2366

Office:

We will be learning:

Computer science concepts and how they can reflect culture. The class is project-based, where software projects will be built to express various cultures. There will be an emphasis on human-computer interaction that is not based on mouse and keyboard. Topics to be covered include:

·         eXtensible Markup Language (XML)

·         JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)

·         User interface design

·         Simple audio editing

·         Speech recognition

·         How a Wii remote works

·         Programming concepts

 

You will create the following projects:

·         Dance Dance Revolution game using XML. Step on the dance pads in time to music.

·         Wii Dance Game using XML. Imitate the dance on the screen to get points.

·         Speech recognition apps using JSON. Three small apps allow them to hear words in a non-English language, quiz people on word knowledge, and respond to English phrases.

·         Simple 2D animations and games. Use MIT's drag-and-drop programming language, Scratch, to create simple animations and games that reflect culture.

TextBook

There is no textbook. Reading material may be handed out in class.

 

 

Grading:

The class is pass/fail. Students who complete all projects will pass.

 

Schedule:

 

Week

Topics

Date

1

Introduction

Start Dance Arcade Game

XML

Apr 5

2

Continue Dance Arcade Game

Simple Audio Editing

Apr 12

3

Guest Lecture: User Experience

User-Centered Design, Naturalistic Observation, Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Heuristics and Testing, and Device-specific Design

Apr 19

4

Finish Dance Arcade Game

Begin Wii Dance Game

Apr 26

5

Continue Wii Dance Game

Create Video and Acceleration Data

May 3

6

Finish Wii Dance Game

Intro to Speech Recognition and JSON

May 10

7

JSON

Speech Recognition

May 17

8

More complex speech recognition and JSON

Specification

May 24

9

Scratch: Animation, interactivity, and simple games

Loops, conditionals

May 31

10

Scratch: Cultural games

Random numbers, events

June 7

 

 

General Policies:

Assignment Deadlines: Class time is spent on projects. Assignments are preparation for classes. It is therefore critical that assignments are completed on time so that class time can be used effectively.

 

Lateness to classes: Coming to class on time and coming to all classes are important. Late arrivals interrupt our in-progress projects and discussions. If you must miss a class session, let the instructor know as soon as possible so that you can make up the work that you miss.

 

Technology in the Classroom: This class is project-based, meaning that we will use computers in the classroom. However, this means that personal technology (laptops, cell phones, iPods, etc) must be turned off during class so that they do not act as a distraction.

 

 

Academic Conduct

 

Student Code of Conduct: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=478-120:

 

“The university is a public institution having special responsibility for providing instruction in higher education, for advancing knowledge through scholarship and research, and for providing related services to the community. As a center of learning, the university also has the obligation to maintain conditions conducive to freedom of inquiry and expression to the maximum degree compatible with the orderly conduct of its functions. For these purposes, the university is governed by the rules, regulations, procedures, policies, and standards of conduct that safeguard its functions and protect the rights and freedoms of all members of the academic community.”

…

“An instructor has the authority to exclude a student from any class session in which the student is disorderly or disruptive. If the student persists in the disorderly or disruptive conduct, the instructor should report the matter to the dean of the school or college, or, at the University of Washington Bothell and Tacoma campuses, to the dean or director of the program in which the student is enrolled.”

 

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: See http://www.uwb.edu/studentservices/academicconduct

for crucial information regarding academic integrity.  The library also has an extremely useful website with resources at http://libguides.uwb.edu/ai.  You are responsible for knowing what constitutes a violation of the University of Washington Student Code, and you will be held responsible for any such violations whether they were intentional or not.  Plagiarism is one of the most common violations of academic integrity, so please pay attention to both the web information and when your instructor explains all of this in class. In short, do your own work, and clearly cite all your sources. If you are unsure, ask for help!

 

Privacy: The opinion you expressed (in class discussion, in written assignments, on our course discussion board), are yours. None of this information will be shared with anyone, not even your parents.

 

Special Needs

If you believe that you have a disability and would like academic accommodations, please contact Disability Resources for Students (UW1-175) at 425.352.5307 or at drs@uwb.edu. In most cases, you will need to provide documentation of your disability as part of the review process. I will coordinate with the University to ensure that the appropriate accommodations are made in this class.

 

Other potentially useful/important information

H1N1 and Other Communicable Diseases Action Steps:

As part of the campus community’s shared responsibility for minimizing the possible spread of H1N1 virus and other diseases this year, it is critical that all students are familiar with the symptoms of H1N1 Flu described on the UW Bothell website at http://www.uwb.edu/flu. Any student or instructor with flu-like symptoms is encouraged to stay at home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. If you are sick and have an extended absence, please speak with me regarding alternative ways to maintain your progress in your courses. If I am sick and need to cancel class, I will post an announcement on Blackboard.

 

Inclement Weather:

Please check if the campus may be closed due to weather. Information about

suspension of operations will be made public and available through the media. Students can learn of campus operations status from the website or by calling the Campus Information Hotline 425.352.3333. You may also sign up with an alert system that will contact you via email or text message if classes are canceled. For more information on the alert process, please see http://www.uwb.edu/alert. Class activities will be rescheduled as needed.

 

Student Support Services:

IT Helpdesk: IT@uwb.edu  , 425-352-3456

Library: http://library.uwb.edu/ 425-352-5340

Writing Center: www.uwb.edu/WritingCenter/ 425-352-5253

Quantitative Skills Center: http://www.uwb.edu/qsc     425-352-3170

Student Success Services:  http://www.uwb.edu/cusp/studentsuccess 425-352-3776

Career Services:  http://www.uwb.edu/careers 425-352-3706

Student Counseling Services: http://www.uwb.edu/studentservices/counseling    425-352-3183