These activities are designed to help prepare you for each unit’s final project.
If you feel these activities aren’t preparing you, or if you find yourself devoting more than a few hours to each activity, please, reach out, and let’s talk. If you’re having a problem, quite likely so are your peers.
There will be 10 activities, which collectively count for 16% of your grade. Not turning in an activity results in a zero for that activity. Not submitting 3 or more generally results in an F for the Assignments portion of your grade, which can pull your overall grade down by a full letter grade.
Submitting them on time keeps you (and the whole class) on track, so make sure to mark the deadlines in your calendar.
See the Grading page for more details.
Throughout the semester, activities will be posted below in reverse chronological orderâŚ
Activity 10
Due 
 by 11:59 PM, May 15 (Class 28) (submit to #activity10)
By now, you should have already downloaded Max 8 software and installed it on the computer you use for class assignments. (If your machine won’t run Max 8, no worries — it is available in the computer labs at Voorhees Hall.)
1. Complete these two video tutorials:
Tutorial 1: https://vimeo.com/415679601/f2286e8067
Tutorial 2: https://vimeo.com/415903363/f85fdc8302
2. Take this online quiz before Class #28:
Quiz #1 (via Google Forms): https://forms.gle/ZTHMnPibHzXBunqr7
3. Complete these two video tutorials, which should be done before Class #28:
Tutorial 3:Â https://vimeo.com/416182341/dfe9930662
Tutorial 4:Â https://vimeo.com/416347821/2478d2abed
This will prepare you for Quiz #2, which is 25% of your grade for Project 4. Completing these tutorials will make completing Project 4 a simple matter.
Submit all of your patch files (tutorial 2 -4) in #activity10.
Activity 9
Due by 11:59 PM, May 8 (Class 26) (submit to #activity09)
Read and Respond. Read Max/MSP for average music junkies.
Write a response of roughly 250-500 words that thoughtfully and thoroughly addresses these questions:
â˘How is the Max interface described?
â˘How was Max software founded (who, why, and when)?
â˘How did Max software development/distribution evolve?
â˘What are the three precursors of Max software?
â˘How does one of the mentioned composers or musicians work with Max?
Extra credit:
.Listen to two of the sounds in the Modalities (horizontal separator section; the middle link no longer works) and describe what you hear in relation to the written descriptions.
.Watch Audio Facelyzer (horizontal separator section) and describe what effects you see and hear in relation to the written description.
Submit your response as a comment to the #activity09 channel on Slack.
Activity 8
Due by 11:59 PM, Wednesday, April 10 (submit to #activity08)
Read and Respond
Read all three of these articlesâŚ
⢠Physical Computingâs Greatest Hits and Misses, written by Tom Igoe on his blog â Click through to read and view links for projects mentioned throughout (some links are broken)
⢠A Day in the Life of Wearable Tech, in Time Magazine, written by Gee, Ho, and Raab
⢠UX for Wearables and Physical Computing, on the Adobe Blog, written by Andrew Smyk
Write a response of at least 500 words (max 1000 words), demonstrating that youâve read all three articles by referencing and elaborating on at least one specific example from each article. Also reflect on the examples in relation to your current understanding and interest in physical computing.
Submit your response as a comment to the #activity08 channel on the MTEC1101 Slack.
Activity 7
Due by 11:59PM Tuesday March 26th (post in #activity07)
Complete Short Study #1: Algorithmic Drawing
Building on what we did in class, create your own unique drawing using 2D primitive shapes.
- Use the MDN Web Docs Canvas API Reference as a reference to help you understand how <canvas> works
- Consult MDN Web Docs Canvas Tutorial on the basics of how to draw 2D graphics with <canvas>
- Reference the code Iâve provided with you; use it as a framework and a template.
You can draw a character, an object, create an illusion, etc., but your drawing and code must be original. (NB: Feel free to use the github templates as a starting point — but give credit where it is due! Just like writing a paper, cite your source — in this case, cite your source code.)
Your <canvas> composition must include:
- A canvas size of at least 400 x 400
- At least 3 different types of 2D primitive shapes (rectangle, circle, line, triangle, etc.)
- At least 3 types of variation (e.g. stroke vs fill, scale, outline, color, transparency, corner treatment, etc.)
Include a comment at the top of your script.js; see the attached PDF to see what it must include.
Submit your script.js to #activity07.
Activity 6
Due by 11:59PM, Tuesday March 19 (day before Class 15)
This is a collection of different activities.
- Read âSoft skillsâ on the MDN (Mozilla Developer Network) website. Soft skills.
- Read âRubber Duck Debuggingâ: https://rubberduckdebugging.com/, and find a ârubber duckâ.
- Code Editors — Find one that appeals to you â and install it!
- Create a free Codecademy account; complete the Introduction to Learn Javascript.
Response
Write a brief (250-500 word) response:
- Summarize the most important advice from the Soft Skills article.
- What are the things youâre already doing?
- What are the things that describe things you really ought to start doing?
- What challenges do you think youâll encounter as a programmer?
2. What is your ârubber duckâ going to be? Why did you choose it?
3. What code editor are you going to install? Why did you pick that one?
Activity 5
Due by 11:59 PM, Wednesday, March 13 (post in #activity05)
Read and Respond
âWhat is Code?â by Paul Ford:
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-paul-ford-what-is-code/
Read the required sections, as listed in the linked assignment PDFâeach title is linked to the anchor in the pageâand then write a response (around 500 words), making sure to answer the questions in italics.
Activity 4
Due by 9:59 AM, Wednesday, February 28 (post in #activity04)
Read, Research, & Respond:
Read
Visit the Games for Change Game Archive. (https://www.gamesforchange.org/games/)
Browse through the games until you find one that interests you.
Research
Research the game:
Read the synopsis.
Look at the graphics.
If you can, try playing it!
If thereâs a video trailer, watch it.
Respond
Before next class, write a brief (250-500 word) review of the game in question.
At the minimum, your response should include:
The gameâs name
Who made it
A brief summary of the game
When it was released
An analysis of the game that follows the VAP game-design rubric:
pink (describe the game),
orange (the social issue it deals with),
green (game mechanics)
and
blue (values).
To review the VAP game-design cards concept, visit the VAP / Grow-a-Game website, or check out this word doc which provides a sample list of games, issues, actions and values.
Due by 11:59 PM, Thursday 2/22 (post in #activity03)
Read and Respond
- Read this NYT article: Dozens of Women in Gaming Speak Out About Sexism and Harassment.
Write a response of around 300 words that answers these questions:- What were the events that prompted female gamers and streamers to begin sharing their stories about sexism and harassment on social media?
- What actions do you think would be most effective in creating structural change in the gaming industry?
- What is one of the specific womenâs stories, along with the corresponding responses/results?
- What were the events that prompted female gamers and streamers to begin sharing their stories about sexism and harassment on social media?
- Read this NYT article: Chess (Yes, Chess) Is Now a Streaming Obsession.
Write a response of around 300 words that answers these questions:- Describe the viewing of live chess games in relation to the streaming statistics, and other games, that are mentioned in this article (make sure to mention the specific streaming platform and which Big Tech company owns it).
- Describe how the accomplishments of a top player like Mr. Nakamura attracts attention from other media, and how that feeds back into the gaming culture.
- How does your own experience of playing/watching/streaming games relate to any of this?
- Describe how the accomplishments of a top player like Mr. Nakamura attracts attention from other media, and how that feeds back into the gaming culture.
- Describe the viewing of live chess games in relation to the streaming statistics, and other games, that are mentioned in this article (make sure to mention the specific streaming platform and which Big Tech company owns it).
Post your response (two separate ones, or together as one with a combined total word count of around 600 words) as a comment to âactivity03â on Slack.
Activity 2
Due by 9:59 PM, Wednesday, February 14 (post in #activity02)
Before watching the videos specified below, write a summary (around 100 words) of how you usually come up with an idea for a project.
Break this process into discrete steps. As an example of what I mean by âdiscrete stepsâ: if I were describing how I make a sandwich, Iâd say: 1) I get a loaf of bread, 2) I get the fillings for the sandwich, 3) I assemble the fillings on a slice of bread, 4) I put another slice of bread on top.
Watch and respond: Watch two videos (embedded below and included in the assignment PDF) and respond to the prompts in the assignment PDF.
Read and respond: Read Speculative design: 3 examples of design fiction by Tony Ho Tran and respond to the prompts in the assignment PDF.
Follow the instructions in the assignment link for response & how to submit.
The 4 Steps to Getting an Idea, Kirby Fergusson (https://youtu.be/JPJ3oy-rWUk)
Build your creative confidence, David Kelly (https://youtu.be/16p9YRF0l-g)
Activity 1
Due ⥠by 9:59 AM, Wednesday, February 7th
Watch and Respond:
Watch the second half of the documentary âThe Digital Promiseâ (2014) by JosĂŠ Manuel Pinillo at https://vimeo.com/199075255. (Download the documentary for easier reviewing.)
Navigate to the time stamp of 36:51; youâll see a couple seconds of black screen and start watching from there through the end of the video.
Respond
Write a response, around 500 words, and submit it as a comment to the âActivity 01â channel on Slack (#activity01):
1. Choose one of the intervieweeâs quotes to thoughtfully reflect on (for example, Mark Dery, Clay Shirky, Nicholas Negroponte, Tiffany Shlain, or any others who are identified in this section), making sure to relate it to how you utilize technology in your life.
2. Choose one of the specific examples of technological development or innovation thatâs mentioned in the video and find one news article that was published within the past year to relate it to (include a hyperlink to the news article in your response).
The news article could be about a current technology that you think is related, or a review of movie, tv/streaming show, art exhibition, etc. that deals with a similar issue.
Compare and contrast some aspect of what is stated and shown in the video with whatâs mentioned in the article.
BONUS POINTS
Earn extra participation credit! Read and meaningfully engage with the written responses of your peers.
Activity 0
Due ⥠by 9:59 AM, Wednesday, February 14th (happy valentines day!)
Soon, weâll be working in groups. The final project of our second unit involves building a presentation. I want to give you a low-stakes opportunity to work on a presentation first.
This activity is a chance for you to work on a presentation that will help you introduce yourself to your new group.
Writing is Thinking:
Take a second and write out answers to the following questions:
- Who are you? What is your name, your pronouns? What other information may be relevant?
- Where are you from? Be as general or specific as you like â and feel free to say more than one place!
- What do you do? When youâre not in class, what do you get up to?
- What inspires you? Who is doing what you want to do? Who or what do you admire or emulate?
- What do you value? What is important? What makes life worth living? What renews your spirit?
After youâve written it out, work on thinking visually about your answers. For each of the five questions, draw an answer to the question.
Build The Presentation:
Using a program such as KeyNote, Google Slides, OpenOffice Presentation, or Microsoft Powerpoint, produce a brief five slide presentation that addresses the five questions Iâve listed above.
Each slide may only use a limited amount of text: the question, and some brief form of the answer.
Each slide should, instead, show rather than tell the answer to each question.
Feel free to use your sketches from the first part of the exercise â but also, there are all kinds of other images! Photographs, screenshots, videos, clip art â explore the medium!
