Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After taking the course the student understands interaction techniques that deviate from the usual interfaces between human and computer, and has practical experience of building applications with such interaction.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 19.01.2023 - 04.05.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Mikko Kytö

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

mikko.kyto@helsinki.fi

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course gives an overview of new and emerging UI paradigms that go beyond traditional WIMP interfaces. These include tangible interaction, multimodal interaction (audio, haptic, smell and taste) and the various sensors and sensing techniques and technologies used to implement them. A significant proportion of the course is spent on hands-on project work, where students will collaborate to implement a novel user interface (most likely tangible) using electronic prototyping tools and software (most likely Arduino).

  • applies in this implementation

    The graphical user interface (GUI) with keyboard and mouse has dominated in offices since the 1980's. For other situations the touch-screen interaction represents the current mainstream paradigm for interaction with computer systems. Although it has only been with us for about 10 years, there are already clear situations where the "app" model doesn't work. From games and entertainment, through to particular user groups, touchscreen interaction is not the only or best way to interact.  

    This course provides an overview of novel and unconventional human-computer interaction techniques. These include for example touch, tangibility,  gestures and use of various physical sensors, currently typically applied in games and 3D virtual environments. Many of these might emerge into the mainstream of interaction in the next few years, so the course provides a good head-start to start thinking about them and how they will be used. The course also focuses on how all human senses including touch, sound, taste and smell can be incorporated into computer interaction and the issues in doing so.  

    The course is largely composed of a group project, where groups of students (preferably from different disciplines) identify, develop and construct a novel user interface using physical computing (e.g. Arduino). 

    The course provides both a theoretical and practical understanding of the area of Experimental User Interaction.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Assessment is made on the report and demonstration of the group implementation project.

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 No teaching
    2023-2024 No teaching

    Enrollment :

    Registration for Courses: In the academic year 2021-2022, registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi) instead of WebOodi.

Details on the schedule
  • applies in this implementation

    Here is a preliminary schedule for the course.
    WeekDate and
    format
    Topic
    3Thurs 18th, Jan, Face-to-faceLecture 1: Introduction to the course, AR/VR
    4Thurs 25th, Jan,
    Zoom
    Lecture 2: Multimodal interaction
    5Mon 30th, Jan, MiroboardHomework: Project topic suggestion
    5Thurs 2nd, Feb,
    Face-to-face
    Matchmaking
    6Thurs 9th, Feb,
    Zoom
    Lecture 3: Design and prototyping
    7Thurs 16th, Feb,
    Face-to-face
    Lecture 4: Physical Computing
    8Thurs 24th, Feb,
    Face-to-face
    Project Pitching, Peer feedback
    9Mon 27th, FebProject proposal Deadline
    9…12Zoom or face-to-faceTutor meetings
    13Thurs 30th, April,
    face-to-face
    Show and tell
    16…18Zoom or face-to-faceTutor meetings
    18Thurs 4th, May,
    Face-to-face
    Project demonstration
    19Sun 15th, May,
    remotely
    Report & Video