DMST 3211

Tangible Interactivity

Catalog Description

Explores methods and devices for human-computer interaction beyond the mouse and keyboard. Students learn to create and hack electronic input and output devices and explore multi-touch augmented reality, and other forms of sensor-based technologies. Prerequisites: DMST 2100 or instructor's permission. 4.000 Credit Hours

Return to Top

Course Overview

Mobile Programming

There are nearly 5,500,000,000 mobile phone devices in the world today and increasingly they are "smartphones," devices that are able to run complex user installed applications. These devices use multi-touch screen technology and so require a new way of thinking about interface and interaction. We will explore application development for Android based devices using the Processing IDE and language. The goal will be to rethink the ways we interact with information and graphics on a screen now that the mouse paradigm is becoming extinct

Return to Top

Course Objectives

By the end of this course you will:

Think critically about interaction and interactivity

Have knowledge of the history and future of interaction

Consider all facets of HCI in developing your work

Have working knowledge of cutting edge tools for interactive media creation

Understand the process of planning and executing interactive work

Develop new ways to provide interface with the world around us

Create meaningful content laden interactive experiences

Carefully consider the mobile device as a platform

Return to Top

Materials

There is no required text for this course

You will need at least 1GB of portable storage (flash or thumb drives, ipod, portable hard drive, etc.)

an android mobile device is strongly recommended - if you need to buy one I would recommend a used device, possibly one with a bad ESN can be had on ebay for less than $100 dollars

Return to Top

Policies

This class will combine individual work in the lab with individual and group instruction. Students must come to class prepared to work. Showing up without necessary files or equipment is the same as not attending. Although students may also use their home computers to work on projects, this is not a valid reason to not attend. It will be necessary to work outside of class to complete all projects and assignments. A minimum of eight hours per week of work outside of class is suggested to get an average grade of a C. Computer failure, equipment malfunction, and file corruption are not accepted as excuses for late or unfinished work so BACK UP YOUR WORK. The computer labs are used by many students, so the labs are in high demand. Budget time accordingly as "unavailable computer time" will also not be accepted as an excuse. Participation in all class discussions and critiques as well as constructive use of lab time is considered in the final grade for each project. At any time in the creation process students should be able to produce notes, drawings,charts etc from their sketchbooks, as well as discuss and articulate the nature of their work to their peers as well as to the instructor.

Attendance is mandatory. Attending class is the responsibility of the student. Lectures and demonstrations may be given or changed without notice and every class will start with professional examples of relevant work so punctuality is essential. An individual who is absent, late or sleeps during class will be responsible for getting the information missed. Students will be allowed two (2) absences without penalty. Any absence in excess of two will result in a 10% grade reduction of the final grade for the course per absence. All absences will be counted. A student who misses 15 minutes or more of a class (late or leave early) is considered absent. A student who sleeps will be considered absent. A student who will acquire absences due to a University sponsored activities must provide necessary documentation from the appropriate office prior to the absence to make any special arrangements for missed work.

For any absence due to religious beliefs, written notification should be provided in the first two weeks of the quarter; the student is responsible for any missed work. Any special medical or personal problems that occur, where absenteeism will exceed the allowed two, will require verification by a physician or emergency medical association (a letter from Student Affairs merely explains an absence, and will not qualify as an excuse). These situations may require course withdrawal or "Incomplete" status on the final grade. Six absences mandate an automatic grade of "F." Three late arrivals (less than 15 min.) will equal one absence.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES - Any students with disabilities should contact the Disability Services Program to determine whether and to what extent services or accommodations are required for this course. If you think this notice might apply to you, please contact the Department of Disability Services at 303-871-2278 or visit the program’s website at: http://www.du.edu/disability/dsp/

Return to Top

Grading

Grades will consist of the following:

Assignments @ 60%

Reading Responses @ 5%

Final Project @ 25%

Participation @ 10%

Projects and assignments will be graded on the following basis, listed in order of importance.

Development, creativity and originality of concept or problem solution

Technical development and demonstration of skills

Craftsmanship and presentation of work

Participation in classroom discussions and critiques in connection with the work

Your grade will be calculated according to the following standards:

A = Excellent (100-90%)- work pushes far beyond the project stipulations and shows clear evidence of extreme time, dedication, care and thought about the project as evidenced in effective execution of original/thoughtful ideas.

B = Good (80-89%)- work exceeds the basic criteria, provides creative solutions to the problems and shows technical proficiency. Student has made the project "theirs" in that they do not need to explain project stipulations before showing the work.

C = Average (70-79%)- work fulfills all requirements, does not expand on techniques shown in class, ideas are close derivations of popular culture.

D = Unsatisfactory (60-69%)- work might meet basic criteria but in a careless and/or thoughtless way. Technical proficiency is rudimentary and no chances were taken.

F = Failure (0-59%)- the work does not meet the basic criteria.

Late projects will be penalized a letter grade for every class period they are late. Turning a project in after the beginning of the critique counts as one class day late.

Return to Top

Lab Rules

It is your responsibility to adhere to all rules regarding the use of the DMS labs and equipment. You will be given a sheet stating all rules. Please see Elizabeth Harris in the DMS office if you need a form to access the DMS lab.

Return to Top

Plagiarism

Solutions to assignments you submit will be your own work. A student who is discovered to have plagiarized another's work will immediately receive a grade of F for the course, and a recommendation for disciplinary action will be forwarded to the Dean of Students.

Return to Top

Software

We will be using free open-source software for this class that you will need to install on your laptop. It is your responsibility to work out times when you can use the DMS labs or to make other arrangements for doing your work. Please do not download and/or install trial versions of software or any other onto campus computers.

Return to Top