Colin Potts & Wendy Newstetter
CoC 102. Thu 4:30-7:30
Naturalistic methods, such as ethnographic interviewing, participant
observation and conversation analysis, have recently received much
attention as a means for understanding the contexts into which
computer-based information systems are introduced and for understanding
the activities in which users engage. In this seminar, we will
investigate the theoretical rationale for using naturalistic methods
in the design process, some (very) practical techniques for gathering,
interpreting and evaluating naturalistic data, and the implications
of naturalistic methods for the practices of software engineering and
human-computer interaction. The course will be structured around a
collection of readings from the research literature as well as
practical exercises and projects. These practical activities will
emphasize a single but pervasive application: the coordination of
everyday activities at all levels of computer-based mediation, from
physical calendars and lists through desktop planning to ubiquitous
computing.