Spring 2023
INF 385T Special Topics in Information Science: Designing User Interfaces for Children
Wed
Class may alternate between in-person classroom instruction and synchronous online class meetings as determined by by the instructor.
DESCRIPTION
The course provides students with an overview of topics related to child development and user interface design for children, with an emphasis on early and middle childhood. Through this course students will learn about technology’s potential impact on cognitive and social development and how child development relates to media design. Students will interact and evaluate digital media technologies on children’s learning, including social learning. Topics include, but are not limited to, brain development, social cognition, symbolic processing, media usage, and self-representation.
COURSE NOTES
COURSE DESCRIPTION Interactive digital technology infiltrates homes, schools, and entertainment venues, changing how people think, and socialize. What is the impact of growing up with substantially greater access to information? How might a user’s age influence such technologies’ use? The course provides students with an overview of topics related to child development and user interface design for children, with an emphasis on early and middle childhood. Through this course students will learn about technology’s potential impact on cognitive and social development and how child development relates to media design. Students will interact and evaluate digital media technologies on children’s learning, including social learning. Topics include, but are not limited to, brain development, social cognition, symbolic processing, media usage, and self-representation. LEARNING OUTCOMES Students will be able to: 1. Understand and employ developmental research and theory to design digital interfaces for children 2. Effectively identify and evaluate features of interactive technology through a cognitive and social developmental lens 3. Discuss the pros and cons of if and when to introduce technology into children’s lives 4. Develop interpersonal communication skills and collaborative work skills
PREREQUISITES
Graduate standing.
RESTRICTIONS
Restricted to graduate degree seekers in the School of Information during registration periods 1 and 2. Remaining seats will be made available to outside students on January 6. Interested non-iSchool students may request a seat reservation by completing this Registration Support Questionnaire.