Q1JaneMeyers

Document Q1JaneMeyers

1. Your Name

Jane Meyers

2. Your field of study?

Computer Science -> Human and Computer Interaction

3. In which semester of study are you?

3rd semester graduate student

4. Why are you interested in taking this course?

I have never taken a course which provided a foundation or broad overview of the wide array of research topics umbrellaed by DSS. Furthermore I like active participation courses where people from diverse backgrounds can offer a multi-perspective views on the material.

5. What courses / work activities / background knowledge do you have which might be relevant to this course?

I have taken a UID, user interface design, and a Methods of Cognitive Science course, which may serve to be useful in some discussions. I have also participated in several research projects within the area of DSS including: a project to develop assistive technologies to assist older adults in managing their medications, a cell phone application to help young adults in transitions of care programs be more independent, as well as work on the Community of Soundscapes project.

6. Indicate your own digital literacy / fluency:
6.1. Describe your programming experience (languages, projects)

C++ - mostly undergraduate projects SQL, PLSQL - a fair bit of experience in classes and during internships KML, XML, HTML - google earth resource locating project for DHS Very little experience with: Scheme, PHP, Python, and possibly a few others

6.2. What applications are you familiar with (e.g. Photoshop, Canvas, Dreamweaver,...)?

Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flex, Sketch-up, Illustrator, a little Maya, Cobalt

7 Give a brief description of the most important book / article which you have read with respect to the topic of the course.

I read an article this spring which described the changing purpose and landscape of a museums in the digital world. Museums have traditionally provided the public with authentic information in very tangible, visible, affordable, and sometimes very creative ways. Over the last decade computers, namely the internet, have taken over the role of providing instantaneous access to an unbelievable number of resources. So what should be the purpose/role of museums be in a digitized world? The article which I read explored next generation museum exhibits, and discussed what new and innovative ideas they employ. I think that museums are in a unique, traditionally social space where the incorporation of creative and meaningful technological solutions is necessary to retain their value in society.

8. What do you hope and expect to learn from this course?

I would really like to have a solid understanding of the breadth of DSS. I am also interested in working with people from various backgrounds and fields, to discover new understandings and shared/differing perspectives.