Schedule at a glance
Class Structure, Assignments, Teams, and Projects
Slides, Recordings, and Handouts

Synopsis

This course is designed to develop an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of what it means to introduce and study ubiquitous computing technologies. Students will be exposed to a variety of real-world examples, gain a user-centered understanding from multiple points of view, and develop the skills needed to design solutions to solve real problems.

The focus of CSE 118/218 is to learn how to use Human-Centered Design (HCD), and Agile Software Engineering (especially Scrum) to design and develop technology that blends into and augments our human world/experience. By the end of the class, students will have developed a functioning prototype that addresses a specific problem of their choosing.

Goals

By the end of the quarter students will gain:

• Clear understanding of what UbiComp is, has been, and is becoming
• Experience unpacking the complex relationship humans have with their environment and with each other
• Experience following Human-Centered Design principles to arrive at a proposed solution
• Experience working on an agile software-hardware project and (for graduate students) leading it as a Scrum Master
• Knowledge to propose technology-centered research for real-world deployment
• Experience developing for IoT or related technology

Textbooks and Readings

Readings will be assigned each week. Students are expected to read the given paper or article prior to attending class. These readings will expose students to important ideas to be discussed further in class. To incentivize reading, we may conduct reading checks / quizzes at the beginning of classes.

In addition to the assigned readings, students are expected to find their own resources throughout the quarter that will specifically help them towards the completion of their unique project.

Some assigned readings may direct you to the ACM or IEEE digital libraries, which might require payment for downloads. In this case, please connect to UCSD-PROTECTED campus WiFi or use the VPN if you are not on campus network. The university has already subscribed to most commonly used library resources.

Access to XR Lab at CSE 3219

The Extended Reality (XR) Lab is the hub at UCSD for activities in the context of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). The XR Lab works with faculties, staff, and students to provide a welcoming environment for XR project brainstorming and development, inside or outside the classes offered by various departments. We will be using the XR lab at CSE 3219 for this class throughout the quarter. Please refer to this website for more information about the lab space.

Building Access: If you don't have access to CSE Building during non-working hours, please let the instruction team know asap.

Access Code: Please refer to this Discussion note.

WiFi: Please refer to this Discussion note.

Other Rules: While you are using the lab resources, please follow the following rules:

• We will be sharing lab resources with VIS 143 throughout the quarter. The lab opens 24/7 throughout the week. While you are welcome to use the lab whenever you are free, please do not enter the room if there is a class going on. You could refer to the class schedule in this calendar: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/xrlab/calendar-events.
• For Quest 2-related lab work, please DO NOT take the device out of the lab. If you want to use the device, please come to the lab, as we will be sharing the devices with VIS 143 class. In addition, after using the device, please reset the device, as you don't want to let other students access to your account. To factory reset your Oculus Quest 2, turn off your headset, then press and hold the power and volume down buttons simultaneously until the boot screen loads. Then use the volume buttons to highlight the “Factory reset” button and press the power button to select it.
• You may need battery for Quest 2 controllers. If your battery is out of charge, feel free to take one from the white cabin on the front white cabinet (under the TV). However, please put the wasted battery in the white box, and do not drop them into trash can. We will be recycling them together at the end of the class.
• After using locker box, ALWAYS keep it closed and locked. We track the devices, and you don't want to let other students take the devices that are assigned to you.
• After using the lab, please log out of your machine, lock the door and close the light (if you are the last person) before leaving.
• Finally, please be respectful to our shared lab space, and take all the trash when you leave.

Engagement with the Class and Evaluation

CSE 118/218 consists of both team assignments and a final group project and students will be assessed for both types of engagements throughout the quarter.

Weekly Assignments

During weeks 1-5 students will be required to get acquainted with both (1) the research literature on Ubiquitous Computing and (2) Specific Ubiquitous Computing technology. 

• Weekly quizzes will test the student understanding of the research literature
• Weekly tutorials/assignments will guide students through the new technology, and completion of the tutorial/assignment will be required.

Schedule at a Glance