As a final assignment in most of my classes, I ask students to write a short reflection about their experience and learning in the course.
This is nominally a 300-500 word essay, given a few specific prompts about what they accomplished and learned, challenges and surprises they experienced during the course, and how they might make use of what they learned in the future.
Research (not mine) shows that this reflection process helps students to cement their learning in a course, and to put it in context with the rest of their education. It is always educational for the instructor, as well, to get a view of the student experience in a course.
My colleague Jennifer Turns gave me the idea to offer the option to apply some creativity in a media-rich version of the same reflection, as long as it satisfies the prompts. I now offer that to my students every quarter, and some of them always take that option, even though it is undoubtedly more work for them.
Here are some examples of creative more narrative final reflections I have received and especially enjoyed and valued. (Click on the image to read, view, listen, or watch.)
HCDE 518: User-Centered Design
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UCD Graphic Story Denise Borges, HCDE MS Cartoon 2013 Autumn |
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The Paradox of Choice Sean Lemme, HCDE MS Video 2012 Autumn |
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Gabby and User-Centered Design Gabrielle Mehlman, HCDE MS Video 2013 Autumn |
HCID 521: Prototyping Studio
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Confessions of a Prototyper Hadiza Ismaila, MHCI+D MS Video 2014 Winter |
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Prototyping Nina Shahriaree, MHCI+D MS Illustration 2014 Winter |
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Prototypin’ Rap Carolyn Wong, MHCI+D MS Rap (Video) 2014 Winter |
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Prototyping Studio David Yang, MHCI+D MS Graphic 2014 Winter |
HCDE 517: Usability Testing
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Usability Rap Daren Chaisy, HCDE UCD Rap (Audio) 2013 Winter |
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Usability Reflection Andri Pangetsu, HCDE MS Cartoon 2013 Winter |
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Test in Context Yongji Zhou, HCDE MS Poster 2013 Winter |
