Session 1 Introductions Guidelines for Semester Project Dourish

Session 1: Introductions; Guidelines for Semester Project; Dourish Book; Self-Assessment

1. “activity” is the minimal meaningful unit of human behavior 2. Activity is motivated (not just random) 3. Activity is mediated (by tools)

Activity develops over time…and, actually, that there is a certain dynamic between “structures” (whether these are physical or social structures) and “agency, ” such that it is by habitual action that we make and remake our world.

Note that most complex activities are comprised of all three…so…

Where does HCI usually concentrate ?

Innovative HCI designs focus on the Why, mediating the What and How, those we tend to experience as “structure”…when we act on a “Why, ” we enact agency

Agency is linked to Change. The goal of good HCI design should be transformation of some social practice. Can you think of a successful HCI that transforms a social practice for the better? Whose agency is enabled by your example? Users? Designers?

Dourish’s central argument is that HCI designs are (re)constructions of the world…and as such, are representative of not just “logic” but of values, feelings, desires (even if these are invisible or minimized). He asks us to make our intentions in these areas explicit when we design, and to reconcile them with our goals for change. …but we can’t do it alone

“We define an information ecology to be a system of people, practices, values, and technologies in a particular local environment. ” (p. 49)

Nardi & O’day, p. 65

pp. 72 -74

pp. 72 -74

pp. 72 -74

pp. 72 -74

pp. 72 -74

Have a conversation…start with an information ecology that you are familiar with…then consider a technological change appropriate for that community…run through the questions, coming up with your own for each category.

8: 30 Team 6 8: 50 Review 9: 10 Team 7 9: 30 Team 8 9: 50 Team 9 10: 10 Review

Tableside ordering at sitdown chain restaurants Website allowing community input for design projects A backpacker’s PDA; stores pictures, maps, journals, etc.

So we must ask: Cui Bono? Who benefits from…? Who benefits from the transformations your design introduces? How?

We’ll follow a familiar 3 -phase approach, but we will be reflective about the benefits and constraints of each.

Key Outcomes from each phase

Measures of Team Performance

The Individual Assessment

ability to use tools and techniques related to HCI Design.

ability to work in teams on HCI designs.

Yahoo! Groups? A blog? A wiki?

On 9/5