Studio 9: Overview of 203CR in Term 1

Blog work for Term 1

1. Definitions and Images of Pervasive Computing
2. Reading Week 1-‘Everyware’ Extract
3. IPod Usability Explorations
4. Design Approaches
5. Usability Tools
6. Writing Reports
7. Identifying Research Activities and Methods; Advice/Supervision on Key Assignment
8. Overview of 203CR Term 1

Coursework for Term 1

Option 1 Report: Usability Evaluation of a Mobile Device or Devices

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of the concept of pervasive computing and howthis differs from, and extends, desktop-based computing.

2. Discuss issues and challenges in designing for usability in the area ofpervasive computing (i.e., designing for ‘pervasive usability’).

3. Demonstrate knowledge of a range of problem spaces for pervasive usability,including single-user and collaborative systems; systems for work, learningand leisure; and mobile devices, smart devices and information appliances.

4. Appropriately select a usability method whether this be user testing, metrics,ethnography, or other; and effectively carry out usability evaluations.

5. Generate prototype solutions appropriately for given design problems.

6. Critically reflect on approaches and achievements.

How these learning outcomes were met

Learning Outcome 1 – i have met this learning outcome by researching and giving definitions for pervasive computing in the first studio (can be found in ‘Definitions and Images of Pervasive Computing).

Learning Outcome 2 – The evaluation on my Sony Ericsson phone demonstrates my understanding of how difficult it is to design a product which incorporates the idea of pervasive computing.

Learning Outcome 3 – In one of the studios we were required to do ‘yes but’ on the different ideas of pervasive computing. By doing this i was able to identify problem spaces for these ideas. Therefore i have met this learning outcome.

Learning Outcome 4 – i have first demonstrated this in my coursework where i have produced an in depth evaluation on my mobile phone. I have clearly explained my methods for testing and for analyzing the information obtained. I have further demonstrated this in the studio work ‘Usability Tools’ and ‘Identifying Research Activities and Methods; Advice/Supervision on Key Assignment’.

Learning Outcome 5 – i have again demonstrated this in my coursework suggesting improvements and solutions to problems for my phone. I was able to do this after the thorough user testing and detailed evaluation.

Learning Outcome 6 – this is clearly shown in this blog where i have related the learning outcomes with the work i have done so far. I have also reflected on the work i have done by creating this blog.

Reading Week 1- 'Everyware' extract

• 'Computing has leapt off the desktop and insinuated itself into everyday life.'
• 'Will appear in many different contexts and take a wide variety of forms, but it will affect almost every one of us, whether we are aware of it or not.'
• 'An "invisible" computing, a computing that "does not live on a personal device of any sort, but is in the woodwork everywhere."'
• 'But computation would flourish, becoming intimately interwined with the stuff of everyday life.'
• 'Ordinary objects, from coffee mugs to raincoats to the paint on the walls.
• ' People would interact with these systems fluently and naturally, barely noticing the powerful informatics they were engaging. the innumerable hassles presented by personal computing would fade into history.'
• Mobile phones (Philips, Samsung and Nokia).
• 'Wireless-enabled, embedded sensors and microcontrollers known as 'motes'.'