Class participation
This is not a lecture class and so your participation is expected. But note the definition of class participation: being willing and able to speak intelligently in class about the topics under discussion. Clearly, in order to be able to speak intelligently about a topic, you will need to have done the readings for that topic. You will also need to be physically present and alert and concentrating on the class...

This class depends vitally on participation, and really suffers from absences and lateness.  And, because we only meet once per week, and the quarter is so so short, every absence or late arrival really makes a difference in how much you will each take away from the class.  However, we understand that sometimes things happen that are beyond your control.  That is why we have instituted the following attendance policy: If you are late to two classes, I won't bat an eye.  However, starting with the third time, each late arrival lowers your grade by one half grade. Likewise, for absences, you may be absent twice without consequences.  However, starting with the third absence (regardless of the reason), your grade will be lowered by one half grade for each absence.  Of course, there is also a reward for full participation: if you have no absences and no late arrivals, then we will bump up the grade of your lowest assignment by one half grade.

In addition, please note that you are not permitted to instant message, send email, chat, carry on phone conversations, or in any other way interact with people outside the class during class time -it disturbs your concentration on the topics and hand and is really disruptive to your peers. And in case you think that the teacher can't tell, just remember that we are experts in these kinds of behaviors! Engaging in these behaviors will lower your class participation grade.

Other than this, please note that all work must be turned in on time, no late work will be accepted. Do not even think of asking for an extension in the following cases: 1) you have a lot of tests or papers in other classes that week; 2) you will be away on the day the assignment is due, 3) a last-minute emergency. Assignments are given well in advance, and just because you planned to write the paper the night before but got food poisoning is not an excuse for not turning in your paper on time!

Weekly Blog
Before each class meeting students are required to post at least one interpretive and motivated question from the readings assigned for that class on the class blog. These posts will be graded with a minus, a check mark, or a plus for each class meeting, to indicate that the requirement was met. Late blog posts will be accepted once during the semester, no questions asked, provided they are posted before the following class meeting.

The point of the questions is (a) to demonstrate that you have done the readings, and (b) to give the instructor a roadmap for class discussion. Questions must therefore relate to a minimum of two of the readings (examples of good questions will be given in class). Questions must be posted to the class blog by Tuesday at noon (24 hours before the class meets), so that the instructor can base her discussion of the readings on the questions submitted. Questions that are posted after Tuesday at noon will be marked down.

Occasionally I may cancel the question requirement in favor of another equally straightforward and non time-consuming assignment. Due each class period.

Blog Comments
Blogs are most interesting when each post launches a conversation. Just to make sure you get to experience that phenomenon, you are required to comment on two of your classmate's posts each week. So, when you are online posting your own questions, take a moment to post a response to a classmate's question. Responses must be posted to the class blog by Wednesday at noon. Responses that are posted after Wednesday at noon will be marked down. Due each class period. .

Class Presentation of Assigned Reading
Each student is required to analyze and present an innovative technology for autism in the context of the theory presented in the assigned readings, once during the course of the quarter, in conjunction with other students. In other words, you will work with your classmates to create a group presentation on an innovative technology that we have not discussed in class, and how it relates to the readings that day. You will sign up for this during the first class.

Please note: you will get points off if you go over the reading point-by-point (after all, we have all read the readings already!). You will get points off if you go over the features of an innovative technology without referring to the theory from the readings for that week. You will get extra points if you find a technology that illustrates the readings, and you tell the class something they don't already know about this technology, by using the theory from the readings to analyze the technology. This is a chance to go hunting for obscure novel technologies, and to learn how to use the theory from the class to analyze them! When done well, this presentation should be fun!

Powerpoint slides from class presentations will be posted on the TwKi. Due once during the quarter.

Proposed Design of an Innovative Technology for Autism (group rpoject)
You will submit a proposal for the design of a new technology (it can be as simple or complex as you like. You will be working in teams with at least one tech-savvy person on each team). Due May 7th .

Implement an Innovative Technology for Autism (group project)
Carry out your proposal! That is, complete the design and implementation of your technology. Test your technology with a user or two. You will demonstrate the final technology to the class, concentrating on the motivation for the design, what worked, and what didn't work. You will also show how your test users used it and what behaviors you witnessed. If possible, try to iterate your design based on the user experience, and show the before and after. This should be done in a power point presentation, that you will show the class on June 4th. Due June 4.

Final Report on your project (individual)
Each team member should turn in a 2-4 page report about your final project (in order to do well on the report, each of you must understand the design, the implementation of your technology, and the use). Due June 9.

Grading Policy

Your grade is based on completion of the following responsibilities:

1. Class participation (10%)
2. Interpretive questions & responses to other people's posts (20%)
3. Class presentation of assigned readings (10%)
4. Proposed design of a technology (15%)
5. Final prototype of technology (15%)
6. Final presentation about project (15%)
7. Individual final report about final project (15%)

Make sure to read the Northwestern guidelines of academic integrity : http://www.northwestern.edu/uacc/ and http://www.northwestern.edu/uacc/plagiar.html .