Peer Review

MAS.961 Ambient Intelligence

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Reviewed:: Jul 3, 2017 by Computer Science

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Ratings

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This course will provide an overview of a new vision for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in which people are surrounded by intelligent and intuitive interfaces embedded in the everyday objects around them. It will focus on understanding enabling technologies and studying applications and experiments, and, to a lesser extent, it will address the socio-cultural impact. Students will read and discuss the most relevant articles in related areas: smart environments, smart networked objects, augmented and mixed realities, ubiquitous computing, pervasive computing, tangible computing, intelligent interfaces and wearable computing. Finally, they will be asked to come up with new ideas and start innovative projects in this area. [MIT Course Number MAS.961, As taught in Spring 2005]
Type of Material:: Online open access course material
Recommended Uses:: This is course material, thus it can be used as reference material for in-class discussions and homework.
Technical Requirements:: Web browser, Internet access, PDF reader
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Introduce concepts in "ambient intelligence". ("Ambient Intelligence envisions a world where people are surrounded by intelligent and intuitive interfaces embedded in the everyday objects around them. These interfaces recognize and respond to the presence and behavior of an individual in a personalized and relevant way.") -Focuses on understanding enabling technologies and studying applications and experiments, and, to a lesser extent, it will address the socio-cultural impact. - Topics: smart environments, smart networked objects, augmented and mixed realities, ubiquitous computing, pervasive computing, tangible computing, intelligent interfaces and wearable computing.
Target Student Population:: it targets undergraduate and postgraduate students, and computer science professionals and researchers.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Computer science, Human-Computer Interaction

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: - This open access material presents course material used for the module Ambient Intelligence at MIT. - Content is well-organised and provides exercises and examples on discussed topics. - It also provides with suggested related readings.
Concerns:: - Provides supplemental and organizational information; does not suffice on its own. - The content might not be updated as this was a course taught on 2005. - Exercises doesn't include solutions/ answers.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: It is a well organised material with pre-defined learning goals. - It provides to the learner with a progression on topics, from introductory to advanced. - It provides sufficient reference materials and exercises, thus students can apply concepts learned from the material. - Assists instructors with putting together a similar course
Concerns:: - It needs guidance from a teacher/instructor to make the most of the content - As the exercises doesn't provide solutions, students need feedback on the material

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: - Material is easy to access and it is well-organised in sections - Content can be downloaded for offline access
Concerns:: Primarily the framework for such a course rather than a self-contained course itself

Other Issues and Comments:: - The content is not updated anymore as this was a course taught in 2005, however can be used as reference material
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