Examination arrangement

Course content

In this course, students immerse themselves in a self-selected project, preferably in groups.

In a self-selected or self-developed problem-based project, students must work with a physical/tactile/sensory challenge.

The client for the project can be internal or external, and projects can be sourced from environments within pedagogy, health, communication, art, social work or others.

The students must, through a self-selected design framework and human-centred methods they have acquired so far in the study programme, map and describe the problem, and then work out one or more proposals for solutions that can be tested with scientific methods.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After the course has been completed, the student will have fundamental knowledge about:

1. The human sensory system
2. Human functional variations and universal design
3. How to document a work in the form of a formal report
4. Methods for working with unclear problems

Skills

After completing the course, students will have the following fundamental skills:

1. Have experience in breaking down a problem into a set of tasks
2. Be able to document work in the form of a formal report
3. Have the ability to map a subject-centred problem, and propose solutions to this problem that are professionally grounded
4. Be able to develop sketches, computer models or physical/tactile/sensory prototypes (including simple programmable electronics if needed) to create tangible solutions
5. Choose appropriate methods to test a proposalfor a tangible solution

General competence

The national qualifications framework for lifelong learning defines general competence as follows:

"General competence is understood as the ability to apply knowledge and skills independently in various situations by showing cooperation, responsibility, ability to reflect and critical thinking in educational and professional contexts."

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Collaborate with other people to solve a tactile/sensory/physical problem
2. Collaborate with others to map a human-centered problem, and choose appropriate frameworks and methods to outline/prototype solution proposals
3. Demonstrate an ability for critical reflection in choosing a solution to an assigned/self-selected problem
4. Be an active and constructive contributor in a project and be able to work together with other people having different roles and tasks
5. Document a work scientific work in scientific report format

Learning methods and activities

The teaching methods in the subject will be lectures, group tutoring, project work, lab/workshop work, and concept development and testing with users.

Some of the work may take place in another location if the project employer is external.

The course is open to students who can speak and write English. Teaching materials are in English. This project is to be done in self-selected groups, and it is suggested that the size of the group is between 2-5 students.

Compulsory assignments

• Project outline

Further on evaluation

Students have one compulsory group assignment early in the course. The assignment is a project description and plan for the group and will have to be delivered before the project can start.

The grade will be set based on two deliveries:

1. A group-based report using references to sources and a formal structure (e.g. IMRaD). The report will count for 70% of the grade
2. A reflection note using a formal structure (e.g. Gibbs Reflective Cycle). The note will count for 30% of the grade

The students will have to have delivered both the project report and the reflection note in order to get a passing grade in the course.

Students with approved reasons that have not submitted and approved the individual reflection note, can do so later and have the course approved. Students who wish to improve the grade in the course must complete the course again and submit a new project report and reflection note.

A repeated/improved individual reflection note can be based on a previous project report in the course.

If the student needs to repeat/improve the group report, the student is required to complete the entire project again, including the individual reflection note.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

The course builds on skills and knowledge in physical and tangible prototyping (eg IDG1006) and design methods (eg IDG1362), or a similar course.

Required previous knowledge

A completed health and safety (HSE) course is required in advance of the course before the student can use the workshop facilities and its machines.

Course materials

Information about textbooks/materials will be made known before the course starts.