CMU 51-774 : Project 2

Project 2: Tapping environmental predispositions

Environmental predispositions presumably exist, but they are difficult to measure.Latent abilities could be tapped for more usable technology designs, but first they need to be understood better. With this project you are asked to explore current practices in contextual inquiry for ways to structure usability research in ubiquitous computing design.

You are asked to design (but given time limits, not to conduct) a study of the application of some embodied, context dependent, environmental or spatial ability. You are asked to focus on one particular ability. If it is wayfinding, which is perhaps too obvious a possibility, it could be specifically touristic, social, or commercial. But it might be some other sort of condition altogether. It might be expert usage of a configured context, such as an artisan in a shop. It might be recreation rather than work, such as in a gear-intensive sport. It might be focused on memory, or on learning, or reflection-in-action. But it should be context-dependent, latent (that is, waiting to be brought forth), and something that could be realized through design.

Working in a team, prepare a Director piece to include the following.
A statement of the skill you are studying
A couple of examples of low-tech everyday conditions that make use of this skill.
A summary of precedents you are able to find in published research or design about or for this skill.
A couple of examples of digital products or settings you could imagine making use of this skill.
A structure for a study: design of inquiry, selection of settings, model of process, etc.

You may find it useful to refer to the standard text on contextual inquiry: Contextual Design, Beyer and Holzblatt, 1998, Morgan Kaufmann. But bear in mind that most current practices focus on the work task and the enterprise workflow. How can you break away from the desktop or the meeting room, into the expanded field of genuinely ubiquitous computing?

Plan a ten minute presentation, provide a summary handout on paper, and submit a projector file.

Due on Thursday, March 2.