Course Project – 20%

Goals and Learning Outcomes

The goal for this project is for you and your teammates to critically analyze an existing
technology, and to creatively re-imagine it in a different way. You will select a technology,
conduct research on it, and present your analysis in the form of an “artifact” and a
presentation. This project addresses learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3.

Description
For your course project, you will work in a team of 3-4 students to critically analyze and re-
imagine a technology of your choice. This will require the following steps:
1. Select a technology to study. You may choose a specific instance of a technology (e.g.
the Esplanade Riel) or a category of technologies (e.g. mobile phones). The technology
you choose should be one that interests your group, and it should be one that you think
you can develop an argument about.
2. Through research, identify a) the basic intended function(s) of the technology, and b)
the technology’s additional affordances (see Chapter 3 of the textbook and the Jan. 30
lecture for more details on affordances).
3. Develop a research-based argument about the values, worldview(s), or ideolog(y/ies)
that are embedded in or represented by this technology.
4. Propose an alternative, re-imagined version of this technology that represents a
different set of affordances and different values, worldview, or ideology.
5. Create and present an artifact that demonstrates your re-imagined technology.

You are free to choose whichever technology you would like for this project. While you are
welcome to choose a technology that we have discussed in class, please keep in mind that if you
do so, you will still be expected to draw extensively on information sources from outside of the
class material.

This project has three different deliverables:

• An initial project proposal (worth 1% of your final grade, graded for completion)
• An annotated bibliography (worth 9% of your final grade)
• An artifact and an associated presentation (worth 10% of your final grade)

Notes on teamwork and team formation

You will be able to select your own groups for this project. Before or during our class on Friday,
January 27, please notify me that either a) you have formed a team of either 3 or 4 students, or
b) you have been unable to form a team and you would like me to place you in one.

All team members will typically receive the same grade for their project work. A great deal of
engineering work requires teamwork, and learning to work effectively as part of a group – with
people who have different strengths and experiences – is an important engineering skill. If you
are having serious difficulties working with your team, please let me know as soon as possible.
If the issues are too much to overcome, I may take an action such as removing someone from a
team, or assigning some team members a different grade. However, I cannot do anything after
the project is over, so make sure that you are communicating with me if you are having any
issues!

Project Timeline
• Friday, January 27: form your project team and notify me
• Friday, February 17: submit project proposal
• Friday, March 17: submit annotated bibliography
• Week of April 3: present artifact on class demo day (half of the groups will present on
Monday, April 3, and the other half on Wednesday, April 5)

Assignment Guidelines and Rubrics

Deliverable #1 – Project Proposal (due Feb. 17, graded for completion only, 1% of final
grade)
In the project proposal, your team will briefly explain which technology you have chosen, and
why. The proposal should be no more than one page. You should indicate which technology you
have chosen, explain your reasons for selecting it, and include your initial thoughts about how
you will approach your research. Finally, you must list two potential sources (outside of the
course materials) that might be helpful to your research. For this assignment, you do not need
to summarize or discuss the sources. It is sufficient to provide two citations.

This assignment will be graded for completion: all assignments that include all the required
elements will receive 100%. I will provide brief feedback as to whether or not I feel that your
project is appropriate.

This assignment should be submitted electronically through UM Learn by 1:30pm on Friday,

February 17th. Note: only one group member needs to upload the assignment to UM Learn.

Project Proposal Rubric

N/A, graded for completion.
Deliverable #2 – Annotated Bibliography (due March 17, 9% of final grade)
To structure your research process for the final project, you will create an annotated
bibliography that includes at least 8 sources from outside of the course material. These may
include academic articles, book chapters, news articles, images, podcasts, blogs, videos, public
talks, or other materials. For each source, you must include:
- A properly formatted citation (IEEE)
- A one-paragraph description of the main information in the source
- A one-paragraph assessment of the source’s trustworthiness and relevance to your
project: where does it come from? Who is the author? What biases may be present?
How will this source contribute to your understanding of the technology? How might
you draw from this source to build your argument?

Your annotated bibliography will be assessed on the quality and diversity of your sources, the
accuracy of your summaries, the quality of your comments on each source’s trustworthiness
and relevance, and the formatting of your citations in IEEE style.

This assignment should be submitted electronically via UM Learn by 1:30pm on Friday, March
17th. Note: only one group member needs to upload the assignment to UM Learn.

Rubric
Element Strong Competent Developing Needs work (0- Valu
(86-100%) (73-85%) (60-72%) 59%) e

Quality and All sources are Most sources Sources are not Sources are /20
diversity of authoritative, are consistently consistently
selected and the sources authoritative. authoritative, weak,
sources taken together Taken together, and may inappropriate,
demonstrate the sources represent a or fewer than
IE.1 varied and demonstrate limited view of eight sources
IE.2
IE.4
nuanced some variety, the selected are included.
EE.1 perspectives on but may technology. Sources may
EE.2 the selected include sources represent a
technology. that represent severely
similar limited or
perspectives or myopic view of
contributions. the selected
technology.
Quality of Key ideas from Key ideas from Ideas from the Ideas are /10
summary the source are the source are source are challenging to
paragraphs clearly summarized. summarized, pick out, either
summarized. Summary may but the because they
CS.1 The summary be overly summary may are too vague
identifies the detailed or not be unclear, or there is too
 most important detailed incomplete, or much detail.
or relevant enough, OR inappropriate Summary
information over-emphasize in terms of consistently
from the some points at scope and level mis-identifies
source, and the expense of of detail. or fails to
presents it other relevant Summary may identify key
fairly and information. mis-identify or information.
logically. fail to identify
key ideas from
the source.
Quality of Trustworthines Trustworthines Discussion of Discussion of /10
assessment s and relevance s and relevance either either
paragraphs are clearly, are discussed trustworthines trustworthines
concisely, and for most or all s or relevance s or relevance
LL.3 insightfully sources, but is missing for is missing for
LL.4
discussed for discussion may several many sources,
each source. be limited or sources, OR the or the
overly discussion is discussion is
simplistic. consistently inappropriate
vague. to the
assignment.
Writing Writing follows Writing follows Writing is Writing does
quality: a logical a logical somewhat not have a
organization sequence with sequence with organized, but logical order
, clarity, all ideas most ideas may be difficult and is often
mechanics seamlessly seamlessly to follow at incoherent and
integrated into integrated into times. difficult to
the text. Clear the text. Clear Confusing follow.
language is language is language or Language is
used to explain usually used to phrasing unclear and/or
ideas. The text explain ideas, detracts from wordy. Many
contains very though some the grammatical
few terms or understanding. and/or spelling
grammatical or phrases may be Grammatical errors impede
spelling errors. unclear. The and/or spelling understanding.
text contains a errors are
few distracting.
grammatical
and/or spelling
errors, but they
do not detract
from overall
understanding.
 Use of IEEE Citations are Citations are Citations are Citations are /5
citations clearly mostly well unclear and/or incomplete,
formatted and formatted, with include missing, or not
LL.4 have no IEEE a few IEEE style significant IEEE formatted in
style errors. errors. style errors. IEEE style.

Deliverable #3 – Artifact and Presentation (due April 3, 10% of final grade)

Based on the sources from your annotated bibliography (as well as class material and, if you
wish, additional sources), you will develop a research-based argument about the connections
between your technology’s affordances and an associated worldview, ideology, or set of values.
Following this argument, you will re-imagine how different values or worldviews might result in
a different set of affordances and a different technological design.

Your final deliverable consists of 1) a presentation to the class that presents both your
argument and your re-imagined technology, and 2) an artifact that represents your re-imagined
technology. You will present and demonstrate your artifact on either Monday, April 3 rd or
Wednesday, April 5th – groups will be randomly assigned to one of these two days, at least one
week in advance. All groups must submit their presentation slides and their artifact by Monday,
April 3rd, regardless of the day that they will present on.

The presentation should be approximately 10 minutes long, and should clearly present your
argument and the key points from your research. The end of your presentation should include a
bibliography slide that lists all the sources you have drawn from, formatted in IEEE style.

The artifact is open to your own interpretation and definition, and can be anything that
represents your re-imagined technology. Possibilities include a model, a prototype, a
storyboard, a set of images, a video, etc. It is not a written report. The artifact should be
something that your classmates can experience/engage with/review in person, during our class
time.

You will be assessed on the strength of your analysis, the design, clarity, and organization of
your presentation, and the clarity and creativity of your artifact.

Please submit your presentation slides and your artifact – or an image of your artifact – via
UM Learn by 1:30pm on Monday, April 3rd. Note: only one group member needs to upload the
assignment to UM Learn.
Rubric
Element Strong Competent Developing Needs work Value
(86-100%) (73-85%) (60-72%) (0-59%)

Quality of Insightful Affordances Affordances Consistently /20

Argumentation identification and values / and values / simplistic,
and Analysis and analysis of worldviews worldviews surface-level
affordances and associated associated with analysis, with
values / with the the existing multiple
worldviews existing technology and elements
connected to technology the re-imagined that are
the existing are identified technology are missing or
technology, and identified, vaguely
including their discussed, as though the discussed.
possible origins are the re- discussion is Arguments
and imagined overly are not well
implications. affordances, simplistic at supported
Thoughtful and values / times. with
original analysis worldviews, Arguments are evidence.
that goes and not consistently Connection
beyond surface- technology. supported with to course
level concerns. Arguments evidence. materials is
Re-imagined are supported Connection to missing or
affordances, with course very slight.
values / evidence. materials may
worldviews, and Connection to be superficial
technology are course or brief.
clearly materials is
discussed. evident,
Arguments are though it may
clearly be surface-
supported with level.
evidence,
including from
course
materials.
Presentation Excellent The main The main Organization, /10
Quality: organization: message of message of the delivery, and
Organization, main message is the presentation is visuals do not
Delivery, clearly presentation not reach an
Visuals structured and is identifiable. immediately acceptable
delivered. Organization apparent. standard. The
Strong verbal mostly Presentation main
delivery with supports the structure is message of
 good volume message, but sometimes the
and minimal may include unclear, and presentation
pauses/filler digressions or not all is unclear.
words. Strong areas that statements are
non-verbal require more well supported.
delivery: explanation. Consistent
confident body Delivery is issues with
language and appropriate, verbal or non-
good use of with only verbal delivery.
physical space. minor issues. Visuals may be
Clear and Visuals are poor quality or
engaging visuals clear but may do not always
that support the not always support the
message of the enhance the message.
presentation. presentation’s
message.
Artifact The artifact The artifact Some Connection /10
Quality: clearly connects connects to connection between
Connection to to the re- the re- between artifact and
Analysis and imagined imagined artifact and re- argument
Argument affordances and affordances imagined from
values / and values / affordances / presentation
worldviews worldviews worldviews. is unclear.
discussed in the discussed in The re-
presentation. the imagined world
The design of presentation. of the artifact is
the artifact Design not always
enhances the supports the clear to the
message of the argument but audience.
presentation, does not
helping to make enhance it.
the re-imagined
world clearer to
the audience.
Artifact Artifact Artifact Artifact Artifact /5
Quality: demonstrates design demonstrates demonstrates
Creativity and exceptional demonstrates limited little
Execution creativity in some thought creativity. creativity:
design. and creativity. Execution is concept is
Execution of the Execution is middling, with reductive or
artifact good overall, some aspects nearly
demonstrates though minor that are sloppy unchanged
care and aspects may or incomplete. from existing
design.
 attention to be incomplete Execution is
detail. or imperfect. consistently
sloppy or
unfinished.
Citations and Bibliography is Multiple small Significant IEEE Sources are /5
Bibliography complete and IEEE style style errors in missing.
has no IEEE style errors in bibliography, or Reference
errors. bibliography. a small number style (IEEE) is
of sources are not followed.
missing.