18 December 2006
Everyday Thing Presentations
Each student will do a 3-5 minute presentation evaluating an "everyday thing."
Readings on Presentation Skills
A significant portion of your grade in this class will be based on how well you present your work. Presentation skills are important not just for your grade in this class, but also for your success in the business world. Here are some good resources for giving good presentations:
Everyday Thing Assignment
By now you have begun to delve into Donald Norman's book, "The Design of Everyday Things" and should be beginning to develop a critical eye when interacting with the many "Everyday Things" that you encounter. This exercise will give you a chance to walk in Norman's shoes and practice looking at the world from his perspective.
Find an "Everyday Thing" (an object or class of objects, devices, tools, or whatever you want to call them) that you think has some design flaws according to the criteria set out by Norman. For this assignment there is a requirement that the "Everyday Thing" is located somewhere here on campus and that it is not computer hardware or software.
You will need to turn in a one-page description of your "Everyday Thing". Describe what it is, where it is found, and provide a brief explanation of why it was chosen (consider criteria - "Normanisms" - such as affordances, constraints, mappings, feedback, visibility, conceptual model). Include a photograph or sketch of the item.
In class, you will give a short (3-5 minutes) presentation of your "Everyday Thing" to the class. Obviously you will not be required to bring it in (might be impossible!) but please consider carefully how to convey the salient information to the class. I will be listening/looking for depth of insight, application of "Normanisms" (I will be checking them off), and the persuasiveness and professionalism of your presentation.
