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Some time in weeks 1 - 3: Attend a tool safety session in the shop

This course is broken into three main sections. We'll cover the material in each section more or less in the order presented here. We may move slightly faster or slower some weeks, depending on the whole class' level of understanding of the material. You may want to read all the conceptual material for a given section at the beginning of that section. I'll let you know at the end of each class what we'll work on the next week, so you can prepare.

Each week, I'll do one or two of the lab exercises in class that relate to the technical concepts we're discussing. You should bring materials to do the lab in class as well. You may not finish it all in class, but handling the parts as we do it together and talk about it will help you to complete it on your own. The materials for each lab are listed in the lab, and most all of them come from your intro parts kit or are available in the shop or the NYU computer store.

Lab Projects: you'll be expected to show at least one lab project for each of the first two sections. These projects don't have to be complex. They should be the kind of thing you can finish in a week. But they should show that you understood the concept and can use it. You'll be doing a lab each week, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to come up with several ideas; the more you do, the more you'll learn. In addition, many of the labs mention project ideas. You can show more than one lab project per section if you're so inspired. You may work with other students on these if you wish. It's often helpful to do so.

I will be updating the labs with new material as this semester progresses. I'll let you know when that happens.

Weeks 5 and 10 are left open so that we can review any questions and see any projects from people who haven't presented already that section.

Weeks 1 - 4: Control of Input & Output

In this section, we'll cover what physical computing is conceptually. You'll learn the basics of input from the physical world to a microcontroller, and output from the microcontroller to the physical world.

Readings for section 1:

• Crawford, The Art of Interactive Design, chapters 1 and 2 (note: you will need to sign into NYUHome to view this. From your NYUHome home page, click "Research" then "books24x7.com" then search for "The Art of Interactive Design" by Chris Crawford. Alternately, try this link. )
• Norman, Design of Everyday Things, ch. 1
• Norman, Emotional Design, Chapter 1, "Attractive Things Work Better".

Technical readings (may help clarify the class discussions and labs):

• Physical Computing, introduction
• Physical Computing, chapters 1 - 6

Blogging for section 1:

• Observation. Pick a piece of interactive technology in public, used by multiple people. Write down your assumptions as to how it's used, and describe the context in which it's being used. Watch people use it, preferably without them knowing they're being observed. Take notes on how they use it, what they do differently, what appear to be the difficulties, what appear to be the easiest parts. Record what takes the longest, what takes the least amount of time, and how long the whole transaction takes. Consider how the readings from Norman and Crawford reflect on what you see.

Week 1 Assignment:

• Join the physcomp listserve
• Introduce yourself in the class Journals page for your section. Include links to any external site you're maintaining for this class.
• Sign up for two days of shop cleaning.

Week 1 Jan 20	CONCEPTS: What is Physical Computing? What is a Microcontroller? Microcontrollers and sensors in the everyday environment Analog vs. Digital	LABS: Week 1 in-class exercise (in groups): Fantasy Device. Think of a fantasy device you've always wanted. Doesn't have to be physically possible, but it has to have a physical interface. Design what the physical interface was. Document your design on your blog, and bring it in for the class. Your mock-up doesn't have to work, and it can be made out of any materials you're comfortable with. Make this a quick sketch, just enough so that your classmates have a sense of what they would do to use your device.
Week 2 Jan 27	Understanding Electricity Breadboards	Lab: Electronics Lab: Setting up a breadboard Lab: Switches
Week 3 Feb 3	Intro to Arduino and first program. Digital Input and Output high current loads and motors controlling DC Motors	Lab: first Arduino program Lab: Transistors Lab: HBridges
Week 4 Feb 10	analog input analog output pulsewidth modulation sound out	Lab: Analog in; tracking changes with variables Lab: servo/analog out Lab: Tone output

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Week 5: Feb 17 I/O review

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Weeks 6 -9: Communication

In this section, you'll learn more about communication between computers using serial communication.

Readings for section 2:

• Norretranders, The User Illusion, Chapter 6: The Bandwidth of Consciousness
• Graham Pullin, Design Meets Disability
• Hoffman, Visual Intelligence

Technical readings (may help clarify the class discussions and labs):

• Physical Computing, chapters 7 - 8, 12, 14
• Making Things Talk, chapter 2, 6

Blogging for section 2:

• Sensor walk. Take a walk around your neighborhood, or a different one. Take a count of every interaction with a sensor you see. These might include:
  • Pushbuttons on an ATM
  • motion sensors on doors, faucets, etc.
  • Floor mats
  • Cameras
• Take pictures or video as appropriate, of the most interesting ones.

Week 6 Feb 24	serial communication	LABS: Lab: Serial Output
Week 7 Mar 3	serial communication week 2 multiple sensors Interpreting bytes: ASCII vs. binary handshaking/call-and-response	Lab: Multiple Serial Output
Week 8 Mar 10	complex data communications configuration vs. communication (command move vs. data mode) addressing XBee serial as example protocols discussion
Week 9 Mar 24	Synchronous Serial Communication Shift Registers Multiplexers

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Week 10: Mar 31 Communications Review

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Weeks 11 - 13: Construction & Project Development

In the final section, you'll develop a final project that demonstrates good physical interaction design. We'll also cover some advanced topics, as appropriate to the projects you're working on. Your final project will most likely be an extension of one of the labs you've already worked on. Or you may develop a new project. ou may work with other students on these if you wish. It's highly recommended.

Reading for section 3:

• Rory Hamilton's notes on preparing presentations and giving presentations

Technical readings (may help with specific concepts, depending on your project):

• Physical Computing, chapters 9 - 11, 13
• Making Things Talk

Blogging for section 3:

• Document your project in the ITP Project Database. You may want to do this over the course of the whole section, returning to the various sections as you develop the work. Fill in all sections:Project Title, Project URL/Website, Elevator Pitch/One Liner, Description, Personal Statement, Background(Research), Audience, User Scenario, Implementation(Work Description), Conclusion, and Reference. If you have questions on any of the sections, we'll discuss them in class.
• Keep running blog notes on your progress as well.

Week 11: Apr 7 Project concept presentations

• present final project concept. Describe the concept, the interaction, and the proposed technologies

Week 12: Apr 14

• Present work in progress. Show interface and any working elements.

Week 13: Apr 21

• Discuss any remaining technical issues

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Week 14: Apr 28 Present final project

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