Projects

Teams of students work will design a mobile solution to solve a real-world problem.

Each team will work on a specific project topic within a theme (e.g., A3: supporting living with roommates). Topics are assigned to teams based on a ranked list of preferred topics submitted by the team. It’s possible for teams to work on a topic not listed below, but this requires instructor approval. Project topics for all teams must be finalized by the second week of the course.

The final product is a high-fidelity prototype; no implementation (i.e. no programming) is required. During the term, teams design the final product through a series of phases including empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. More information about the deliverables is on the information page. Examples of projects in previous terms can be found here: F20 and F21.

Themes

A. Connecting People

1. helping newcomers, immigrants, or refugees
2. helping student cohorts stay in touch
3. supporting living with roommates
4. helping families stay in touch
5. improving cross-generational or cross-cultural communication
6. supporting collaboration in different time zones
7. helping people to connect during crisis and disasters
8. sharing important information in a timely manner (e.g., covid-19 outbreak)

B. Supporting Teaching or Learning

1. enabling online study groups
2. supporting presenters for performing live talks
3. helping users take notes on live streamed presentations
4. enabling informal learning online (e.g., music lessons, cooking lessons)
5. supporting mixed-mode (i.e., online and offline) discussion and meetings
6. supporting brainstorming across time zones
7. enhancing team building in remote settings
8. helping teachers prepare course materials

C. Promoting Personal and Community Well-Being

1. enhancing information/data literacy
2. encouraging healthy habits (e.g., diet)
3. reducing carbon footprint
4. maintaining good work-life balance
5. supporting maintaining good mental health
6. supporting obtaining new skills (e.g., cooking)
7. helping overcome difficulties and build resilience
8. supporting post-pandemic life

D. Specific Application Domains and User Groups

1. supporting casual gig workers
2. helping young adults learn programming
3. improving teens’ financial literacy
4. helping live streamers to connect with their audience
5. improving transparency or trustworthy of existing AI systems (e.g., chatbot)
6. empowering women in technology
7. helping teens express themselves (e.g., via art making)
8. supporting elderly in their use of modern digital technology

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