Fall 2005 -- SPCM 496-CS, Prof. Sandvig
 
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Project Elements Menu

How to Choose

This list is not exhaustive; it is meant to give you ideas. Since every project will be different, many of these elements may not apply. Required elements are in red. If an element is required, this means it is required for the final Project Web Site.

If you think of an element that other students might want to use, please email csandvig@uiuc.edu and suggest that it be added to this menu.

How Many to Choose

As specified in the project assignment handout, you'll need:

Interim Web Site: At least 5 elements from this menu. 

Complete Web Site: At least 12 elements from this menu, including all of the required elements.

Menu of Elements

I. BACKGROUND

• Definition of Play (required)
    What is play?
    How does your technology involve play?
• Description of Playful Techs (required)
    Both old and new
• Bibliography, Further Reading, Sources Cited, or Reference List (required)
    At least 3 sources must be original (not assigned)

II. FIELDWORK ABOUT OLD PLAYFUL TECH
(required: at least one from this list or list VI.)
All fieldwork must follow the Fieldwork Guidelines Handout.

• Observation of Users
    May include: Photographs, Audio Recording, Video
    Could be "expert" players or new players
• Other Fieldwork on Users
     Must be approved by the instructor

III. ANALYSIS
(required: at least two from this list)
for the old and/or new playful tech, include analysis of

• Gender Effects
• Cognitive/Motivational Aspects
• Historical Precedents of the Tech
• Economic/Industrial Elements
• Online Fan/User Community
• Relationship to Animal Play
     E.g., evolutionary aspects
• Subversive Elements/Resistance
     Hacking, reverse engineering, repurposing

IV. DESIGN OF NEW PLAYFUL TECH

• Storyboards (required)
• Sample Character Design
• Script Segment (Dialogue/Action)
• Plot/Narrative Summary
• Photographs of User with Mock-Up
• Map of "Spaces"
• Flowcharts
• Controls/Menus
• Aesthetics/Style/"Look"

V. CONTEXT OF NEW PLAYFUL TECH

• Ideal Users
• Setting for Use
• Social Elements
     I.e., not solitary elements
• Expected Contributions from Fans/Users
     e.g., ways to contribute

VI. FIELDWORK TESTING NEW PLAYFUL TECH
(required: at least one from this list or list II.)
All fieldwork must follow the Fieldwork Guidelines Handout.

• Observations of prospective users with "Paper Screens"/Mock-Ups
    May include: Photographs, Audio Recording, Video
• Observations and Interviews with prospective users
    May include: Photographs, Audio Recording, Video
• Other Usability Test/Fieldwork
     Must be approved by the instructor

VII. LEARNING
for new and/or old tech, discuss and analyze

• Usability
• Learning
     How do new players know what to do?
• Educational Elements
• Developmental Elements
• Incentive Systems
     Rewards, Punishments

VIII. LARGER QUESTIONS
(required: at least one from this list)
in the context of your project, discuss implications of

• Social Structure/Power Relationships
• Violence/Aggression
• Ownership of Content (characters, symbols)
• Content Ratings
• A Relevant Industry/Institution
     E.g., the video game industry,
     primary schools
• Gambling, Chance/Fate, Risk, Danger
• Other Societal Question
     Must be approved by the instructor

IX. OTHER ELEMENTS

• Other Elements of Your Choice