T540 SEMINAR IN DESIGNING PHYSICAL GAMES AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA SYLLABUS
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Instructor :: Professor Andrew Bucksbarg
Meeting Times :: Tuesday/Thursday 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM
Office Hours ::
Tuesdays 10:00-11:00 AM
Thursdays 4:30-5:30 PM
and by appointment
Room :: TV 250
E-mail :: abucksba(at)indiana(dot)edu
Description ::
Individuals and/or groups will work together to explore embedded electronics (microcontrollers) and sensors for the design of interactive/social media, games, personal/social/environmental design with a focus on education, cognitive and physical health, special needs, sustainable/green technologies or creative expression. No prior experience required, however an avid passion to learn and overcome self-defeating schema helps!
Process ::
Design Context---> Brain/Bodystorming/Thinking--->Ideas/Projects--->Evaluation/Critique--->Design Concept
Groups--->Project Goals/Needs/Design--->Design Context--->Prototype--->Design Context
You will be required to observe the context/environment of the design, as well as the design in the context or environment you have designed for, making sure you integrate your work (observation of use, value, impact, etc.) Always seek to intellectualize both success and failure (what can I do better?)
Weekly Schedule ::
TUESDAY-
BRIEF: DESIGN IDEAS, DISCUSSION, PRESENTATIONS, PROJECT REVIEW
WORK LAB
THURSDAY-
WORK LAB
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Objectives ::
What will you do?
Design projects using sensors and embedded electronics, as well as integrating these with A/V content.
° Electronics/Soldering- by the end of the semester you will have a very basic understanding of electronics and the ability to solder your own components.
° Bread Boards- how they work and how to use them.
° Microcontrollers (Arduino)- connecting, using, programming, integrating with other software, etc.
° Sensors- knowledge of and use of in projects.
° Interfacing microcontrollers and sensor data with software and controlling A/V content (or motors and actuators).
° Designing interactive/social media/games for body, movement or space/environment, as well as cognitive/physical health, special needs, learning, etc. of individuals and groups.
° Creation of two prototypes that address an original design question, a new means of creative expression or innovative technical contribution in your particular discipline(s).
Required ::
100% attendance (documented cases/emergencies, etc. will be excused)
100% participation (discussion, feedback, work, support, criticism, etc.)
100% support for seminar fellows (in a diverse group with diverse expertise)
85-100% grade (at least a "B")
Project research presentations- two researched projects that relate to your work in the seminar, including leading discussion/critique.
Projects-
Two project proposals (in preparation for the projects)
Two project prototypes
Required technology (in lieu of books)-
° Arduino board, one or two sensors
Information on-
http://www.arduino.cc
Purchasing-
http://www.sparkfun.com, http://www.adafruit.com, http://www.makershed.com, http://www.moderndevice.com
° Small breadboard- http://www.sparkfun.com, http://www.curiousinventor.com, http://www.adafruit.com, as well as other online or local electronics stores (see links on resource and info. page)
° Sensors- http://www.sensorwiki.org, http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/sensors, http://www.sparkfun.com is a good place to start for acquiring sensors
° Misc. open source software, such as Pure Data, Processing, etc.
Completion of simple assignments, design thinking and readings.
Work, Evaluation and Grading ::
A VERY important part of how you will be evaluated is how you engage in class work and discussion. You should come prepared to talk and facilitate and support discussion and group work, as well as interact with others in the seminar in a constructive manner. If you are not participating is this fashion, your grade will suffer...
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I usually look at each person's work at least several times to make sure I am happy with how it is evaluated before I return it to you. If you feel that I have seriously mis-evaluated your work, I will re-grade it, however you should know that I may give you the same grade, a higher one or a lower one.
Design Proposal I (10%)
Including text description/design goal, sketches/diagrams/images, technical needs. Must be clear, articulate and address potential problems for prototyping.
++Please include the following
Project I (20%)
Use of Arduino, sensors, A/V content
Project I Presentation/Demo (part of Project I grade)
Design Proposal II (10%)
Including text description/design goal, sketches/diagrams/images, technical needs. Must be clear, articulate and address potential problems for prototyping.
++Please include the following
Project II (30%)
Use of Arduino, sensors, A/V content
Project II Public Presentation/Demo (part of Project II grade)
Project research presentations- two researched project presentations of interesting work that relate to your work in the seminar (10%)
Participation (10%)
This is based on attendance and participation in discussion, group work, etc.
Assignments(10%)
Small assignments, tutorials and readings
Grade Scale-
A+ 100 %
A 95-99 %
A- 90-94 %
B+ 87-89 %
B 83-86 %
B- 80-82 %
C+ 77-79 %
C 73-76 %
C- 70-72 %
D+ 67-69 %
D 63-66 %
D- 60-62 %
F 0-59 %
IU policy for religious holidays- http://www.indiana.edu/~deanfac/download/rel_obs.html#holreq
As members of the class organism, we abide by the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct. Please refer to this site for any questions you may have- http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index.html
I am available to meet with you to discuss course work, policies or other questions and concerns you may have during office hours and by appointment. I look forward to a great semester and to engaging with your thought and practice!
