A course affiliated with the Quality of Life Technologies ERC

Fall 2008

Carnegie Mellon: Robotics 16-899Q, 12 credits
Pitt: (tba), (tba)

Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00-4:20
Newell-Simon Hall 3002 (Carnegie Mellon, across from the Roboceptionist)

Overview
Implementing new technology, especially Quality of Life Technologies, requires an understanding of the complete context in which the technology will be deployed. This immersive course teaches and demonstrates ethnographic methodology as applied to understanding context in the lives of individuals with disabilities and older adults. Students will be assigned readings both on ethnographic analysis and background readings in areas as diverse as demographics, health care trends, assisted living analyses, etc. The class will also examine related technology insertion cases studies. Students will work in teams to evaluate actual conditions at local facilities, and will complete a term project in which they characterize specific opportunities for technological intervention.

Note: This class will provide many universal skills with respect to technology insertion and selection. It happens to be within the QoLT domain but the benefits of this class will have a much broader impact.

Class topics and activities include:

• Methodologies (field-centric, not "lab coat")
• Demographics, trends, etc
• General principles
• Case studies
• Field trips
• Team project characterizing opportunities for technological intervention

Other details:

• Grad level, juniors & seniors welcome
• No prerequisites
• All majors welcome

If you have any questions, please contact Aaron Steinfeld, steinfeld@cmu.edu.

Instructors

Aaron Steinfeld Robotics Institute Carnegie Mellon University steinfeld@cmu.edu

Dianne Collins Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology University of Pittsburgh collinsd@herlpitt.org

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