Building Mobile Experiences

Course Description

Are you ready to revolutionize the way people interact with their mobile devices? Welcome to "Building Mobile Experiences," an exciting and comprehensive course that will take you on a journey through the entire process of creating innovative mobile applications. This course, based on a popular MIT class taught since 2006, will equip you with the skills and knowledge to design, implement, and evaluate mobile experiences that truly make a difference in people's lives.

What students will learn from the course

• Master the complete Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) design process for mobile applications
• Create a unique mobile app and analyze its real-world usage over a two-week period
• Gain hands-on experience in conducting three types of HCI research studies: generative, usability, and field studies
• Develop the ability to critically analyze research papers from the CHI community and craft your own CHI-style paper
• Explore the unique capabilities of mobile devices and learn how to leverage them for innovative user experiences
• Understand both quantitative and qualitative methods for evaluating mobile applications

Pre-requisites or skills necessary to complete the course

• Java programming experience (or Objective C for iOS users)
• Access to an Android or iOS smartphone
• Basic understanding of mobile app development concepts
• Willingness to engage in hands-on projects and research studies

What the course will cover

• Mobile device capabilities and their impact on user interaction
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) design principles for mobile applications
• Generative research techniques for identifying user needs and behaviors
• Mobile app design and prototyping
• Usability testing and evaluation methods
• Implementation of mobile applications
• Field evaluation and real-world testing of mobile experiences
• Analysis and interpretation of user data
• Research paper writing and presentation skills

Who this course is for

• Computer science students interested in mobile app development and user experience design
• Professional software developers looking to expand their skills in mobile application creation
• UX/UI designers wanting to deepen their understanding of mobile-specific design challenges
• Entrepreneurs and product managers seeking to create innovative mobile experiences
• Researchers interested in mobile HCI and user behavior studies

How learners can use these skills in the real world

• Developing and launching successful mobile applications in the app store
• Improving existing mobile products through data-driven design decisions
• Conducting user research to inform product strategy and development
• Creating mobile experiences that solve real-world problems and enhance users' lives
• Contributing to the academic community through research papers and presentations
• Enhancing career prospects in mobile development, UX design, and product management roles

Syllabus

While a detailed syllabus is not provided, the course structure likely includes:

• Introduction to mobile HCI and unique aspects of mobile devices
• Generative research techniques and user behavior analysis
• Mobile app design principles and prototyping
• Usability testing methods and best practices
• Mobile app implementation (for Android or iOS)
• Field evaluation techniques and data analysis
• Research paper writing and CHI-style presentation
• Final project: Designing, implementing, and evaluating a novel mobile application

By the end of this course, you'll have a deep understanding of mobile user experiences and the skills to create impactful applications that can truly change people's lives. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts and join a global community of mobile innovators!