Embedding a Design Studio Course in a Conventional Computer Science Program
Date
2007-07-12
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Abstract
Within undergraduate Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction is
often considered a blend of user-centered requirements analysis, design,
implementation and evaluation. While most are teachable within the constraints
of a conventional undergraduate lecture course, design is much more difficult
to pass on. We know that design-oriented programs (e.g., arts, industrial
design, and architecture) teach design practice as arising from the culture of
a design studio. The problem is: how can we pass on the best practices of
design studios within traditional programs that follow a standard
lecture/tutorial format? My solution was to create a design studio atmosphere
within a lecture/tutorial time-frame. Over the semester, students are
introduced to four quite different state-of-the-art interaction domains, each
chosen to minimize students pre-conceived notions of what comprises a
standard design within these domains. They are given substantial freedom to
design projects within these domains. They are required to sketch out their
ideas and publicly show these sketches to other classmates for critique. Idea
exchange is encouraged, where classmates can use parts of each other s ideas
in their own work (conventional courses call this cheating ). Many lectures
are replaced by studio work where students develop their designs during class
time. Thus students and instructors see each other s work as it is being
develop, they share tricks and techniques, and they engage in on-going
commentaries. Students demonstrate final projects publicly within a design
critique setting. Finally, every student has to create learning and
professional portfolios illustrating their work using a mix of paper and
electronic mediums.
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Computer Science