P535: Pervasive Computing

Instructor: Kay Connelly
connelly@indiana.edu
LH 301E

Office Hours: Tue 9:00-11:00am, LH301E
Lecture: Tues, Thurs 11:30am-12:05 pm, LH115
Lab: (choose one) Tue 2:30-4:30 pm, LH115 or Thu 2:30-4:30 pm, LH115
Credits: 3 credits
Web: http://cs.indiana.edu/surg/pervasive
Prerequisites: Informatics graduate student and experience
with object oriented programming, or permission of instructor

Overview
Pervasive Computing "moves beyond the desktop" to having computing devices embedded in the world around us. Handheld devices, mobile and wireless technologies, sensor technologies and 'smart places' are just a few of the advances enabling truly pervasive computing. In this course, we will examine recent developments in both the technical and HCI side of pervasive computing. The course will begin by looking at the new paradigms that have emerged and explore how applications can be designed and integrated to support novel forms of user experiences. Case studies and innovative research projects will be used to illustrate the development of pervasive computing.

To put into practice what is being learned, a set of lab-based classes will teach students how to use pervasive computing technologies and design novel user experiences. Students will also work on an in-depth team-based project, putting their understandings of the technical and the human aspects of pervasive computing into practice.

Students will have the opportunity to explore the following topics

  • Core technical challenges in pervasive computing environments
  • Core concepts in HCI as related to pervasive computing
  • How to design, build, program and evaluate ubicomp technologies

Course Organization
The course consists of a combination of readings, labs and a team-based project. For the theory part of the course, students will be required to read two papers a week. Each week students will be selected to provide an overview of the papers and additional background information before the class discussion. All students are expected to participate in a discussion about the papers during class. For the practical part of the course, students will attend the HCI lab and one of the two technical lab sessions. The HCI lab will introduce the HCI methods that will be required for the group projects. The technical labs will provide an introduction to key pervasive computing technologies that may be used in the projects.

Throughout the course students will work on a group project, conducting research, designing, building and evaluating pervasive technologies for a particular user experience. A list of possible projects will be provided for teams to select from. A timeline for the group project will be provided as well. Because students are expected to design, implement and evaluate their projects, the timeline is fast paced. Students should note that there are only a few weeks for each stage, and plan their time appropriately.

The Tuesday lecture of every week will be devoted to readings while the Thursday lecture will be the HCI lab. Students must sign up for one of the two technical lab sections.

Grading
Grades are assigned on a straight 90%, 80%, etc… scale. Grades are weighted as follows:
  • Project (total of 65%)
    • Requirements Document: 10%
    • Design Document: 15%
    • Prototype: 20%
    • Final Report: 20%
  • Lab Assignments: 15%
  • Paper presentation: 10%
  • Class Participation: 10%

Text
There is no set textbook for the course but a collection of papers that are available from the web. A list of readings is at the end of this syllabus.

Cheating Policy
It is expected that you will abide by The Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index.html) and its application to programming courses (http://www.cs.indiana.edu/Academics/integrity.html). Acts of academic dishonesty undermine the effectiveness of the class and the learning experience for all, and will be dealt with in strict accordance to the Code of Student Rights.

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