Q&A

=Post your questions here=


 * Q: Hello, Has anyone found the book at the bookstore? This course isn't listed in the course list...**
 * A:** Same, I couldn't find it either when I checked...
 * A:** It isn't at the bookstore yet, apparently it will be there within the next couple of weeks.
 * A:** Yepp, I just ordered mine off Amazon, it's still fairly expensive, but probably alot cheaper than the bookstore.
 * A:** You can actually get the book on google books, if you access it through your home connection some pages may be limited, but if you access it through the UTM library website you are able to gain full access to every page. Definitely a cheaper option than buying it.
 * A:** It seems like even if we access it through our UTOR account still we are only able to access to the limited view version.
 * A:** I am afraid so, either way the copies should be appearing in the bookstore soon.
 * A:** Hey everyone I went to the bookstore and check last Friday but the book still haven't arrived yet. They told me to check next Friday again - inventory arrives every Thur. Hope they will be there by this coming Friday as we will have our first test soon.
 * A:** I have recently visited the UTM bookstore and I saw that the green book (Erlandson, Universal and Accessible Design for Products, Services, and Processes) is already available, although it might be too late to get it now since it`s almost the end of the term.


 * Q: I want to know if we even need the book anymore with 3 weeks left.**
 * A:** I would say is not a must, as I said you would need it if you feel you need to expand on something. - Norman


 * Q: For the Final project, are we inventing a new product or improving a current product? Im a little confused...**
 * A:** From what I understand, you can do both or a mix of the two, so long as the product implements the principles of universal design.
 * A:** That is correct. - Norman


 * Q: Update on Bookstore checkup - still no inventory arrived as of Feb 12. So how are we supposed to prepare for the upcoming mid-term?**
 * A:** As I explained in class if you cannot get a hold of the book, you need to rely on studying your notes and slides I posted (which are quite extensive in themselves). - Norman


 * Q: So does it mean the test will not cover anything concepts in the textbook which we never learned during class?**
 * A:** The slides covers concepts and applications drawn from the book, therefore if you took notes and study my slides, you will see that the test will be covering concepts in the textbook. - Norman


 * Q: Would it be possible to post the lecture slides before class? So we can make notes on them during class.**
 * A:** I will posted them before class. - Norman


 * Q. Is anyone else having a hard time opening up the slides from week 6??**
 * A:** Yes, I thought it was just me.. there is no PDF available for week 6 which is what I used for all the others...


 * Q. Anyone have an idea of what to concentrate on for the test besides the design principles and concepts?**
 * A:** I mean it's pretty much all centered around the principles.. important to understand what they mean and how they can be applied.


 * Q: Is there a word count or page limit for the independent study?**
 * A:** There isn't a specific word count for this assignment, however, im sure there is a number of pages we have to include. But its not posted under the independent study overview section.


 * Q: Do we need to make a prototype of the design?**
 * A:** Yea we do need to make a prototype, it doesn't need to have technical elements, if you refer to the slides from today's lecture, March 4th, you'll find information to help with the prototype
 * A:** Not a physical prototype that will be required though, according to Norman. Sketches (hand drawing) or using tools like Illustrator or Photoshop showing the design will be good enough, based on my understanding.
 * A:** That is all correct. However, I wont stop you if you want to be passionate and build an actual tangible prototype! - Norman

A:** Of course. - Norman
 * Q: Can we hand in the essay early?

A:** What I did was create a person for whom the product would show an example of how it benefits the population. For example, Sam is a 22 year old college student who has been deaf since birth.. then adapt the details according to your product.
 * Q: Can anyone provide some information on what the "personas" should be for the population section of the Independent Study?
 * A:** The characteristics of your target users - their background, behaviour, value to your proposed product, etc.

A:** This is very similar to the first assignment because the first assignment was a proposal for this final project. Use your first assignment as a starting point for this project - the design concept should be the same, or similar.
 * Q. Does anyone else find this very similar to the first assignment? or am I totally on the wrong track?


 * Q. Could someone please verify if the 5% late penalty will be applicable to the final assignment? I would like to hand the assignment in on Friday before midnight and just want to confirm that I will only be penalized by 5% and not receive a Zero for missing the Thursday deadline.**
 * A.** I dunno if i'm qualified to verify, but i would think the 5% penalty would apply to this assignment, just like any other

A.** I'm not sure where you would submit it but you should try contacting him, his email is, norman.valdezchavez@sheridanc.on.ca, and his phone number is 905-845-9430 ext. 2527
 * Q.** **Hi, I had built a physical prototype for the final project and due to Thursday's class cancellation, I was wondering if anyone knew when/where the prototype could be submitted to the professor.

A.** I was able to open the Powerpoint file for Week 12 (review) without any problem. I can send it to you if you still need it.
 * Q. I can't open the slides for week 12, the course review files. Is anyone else having that problem?

A.** Week 12 slides are overview of weeks 1-4, so i think we need to also go over subsequent slides for the rest of the weeks.
 * Q. Does anyone know if the Week 12 Slides (Review) cover everything we need to know for the exam or if we are still required to know about material mentioned in other lecture slides?

A:** It is everything, but more focus is put on the second half.
 * Q. Does the final exam cover everything? Or just the material that was covered after the first test?

A:** Week 11 was a screening of [|Objectified (2009)] and Week 10 were slides on the case study on transportation (these were much more for the benefit of learning rather than testing you on them - however I posted the slides), you can use them so you know and understand what to talk about when you need to write for the short answer questions. - Norman
 * Q: Where are the week 10 & 11 slides?

A:** I hope we do or at least soon after the exam. Good luck everyone.
 * Q: Will we know our essay marks before the exam?