NYU D&T 2020: Phase 2 Blog Assignments

All of the following assignments are required for Phase 2. Please visit the Phase 2 Syllabus Revisions for more information. All sessions are being recorded and linked from the Phase 2 Recordings page; please contact Prof D if you need the password.

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #1 (Session 15): Choose at least one other midterm project from this class (not your own) and discuss: If both/all of your projects were to be created in real life, how might they influence each other? You can pick whichever project you like, but below I will highlight some common themes and finished projects that explore these themes (in alphabetical order by first name). 
    • Mass Manufacturing, Logistics, and Supply Chain: Andreas, Hofai, Idriss/Nicolai, Jenny, Kimberly
    • Language Processing: Rafael, Shehara, Helen 
    • Education: Derick/Joey/Luiza, Nicola
    • Mobile OS System Revisions: Brandon/Halenur, Mahek
    • Social Media Algorithms: Chino, Jennifer, Landon, Maggie, Weixiong
    • Influence in the Media: Ian/Anna, Masthora, Jade, Harry

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #2 (Session 16): Dr. Chodosh presented many aspects of the NYU Aging Incubator today (see the slideshow here), including some of the points below. Did any particular points stand out to you? Are there are any particular points on which you’re interested to contribute, particularly as a Tandon STEM student?The NYU Aging Incubator is one of three university-wide scholarly strengths, along with Urban Initiative and Strategies to Reduce Inequality.
    • Innovators in Aging Award
    • Conferences, Fellows, Brown Bag lunch series
    • NYSDOH Buddy Program (pairs NYU Students with people in the early stages of Alzheimers)
    • Student Image Competitions, Makerthons
    • Partnerships with universities in China
    • Aging Incubator’s COVID response
    • Technologies: Actigraph Watch, Naturally Recurring Retirement Communities, Smartphone UIs, Telemedicine through NYU Langone

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #4 (Session 18): Review the guest speaker links from Session 18‘s agenda and discuss today’s guest lectures on multi-sensory reading. Some points to consider:
    • What surprising multi-sensory technologies came up in today’s discussion? Some examples:
      • Boston Linetype vs. Braille in the debate over Universal Design. (Touch this Page exhibit)
      • BARD app
    • In the disability movement, there are been many “Moments in which technologies of access and accommodation are in contention with one other” (also mentioned in the podcast for Touch this Page). Discuss the SSIs involved in these conflicts. For example: vision impaired, hearing impaired, gender, etc.
    • When it comes to multi-sensory reading, why do you think haptic technologies are less “privileged” than audiovisual technologies?

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #6 (Session 20): Reflect on the experiences and insights shared by Chancey Fleet and Max Evans in their talks. Feel free to refer to the links they shared (Session 19 in the Agenda section–it’s a lot of links). What does Chancey mean by “dark patterns in accessibility?” What does Max mean by companies that “cede their authority to the algorithm?”

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #7 (Session 21): Reflect on the experiences and insights shared by Yvonne Muthoni, Lander Bosch, and Joshua Ogure. Suggested questions to address in your post:
    • Yvonne Muthoni’s work: What are some of the issues that Open for Business highlights for LGBTQ+ workers, particularly in African countries? How does Open for Business work with tech companies? What is “pinkwashing?” (Refer to the reading above for more information.)
    • Lander Bosch: How do different environmental factors affect child wellbeing? What are some of the factors and metrics that are used to measure child wellbeing in the built environment? What kinds of technologies does Lander use to research this issue?
    • Joshua Ogure: How do technology, cultural competence, and local trust mix in Josh’s work? Why is it important to map slums? Why is it important for slum community members to take the lead in this kind of work?\

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #8 (Session 22): Please discuss the work of today’s guest lecturers. Where do you think their work overlaps? Additional questions to consider:
    • Dr. Michael Lindsey (McSilver Institute): How would you characterize McSilver’s approach to poverty? Where might technology come into play?
    • Uzoma Orchingwa (Ameelio): How does Ameelio use a mix of high tech and low tech to serve vulnerable populations? Considering that incarcerated female and male populations are kept separate, how might they be served differently by Ameelio?

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #9 (Session 23): Please discuss today’s discussion from Raechel Bosch and Jerry Leverette from the NYU Prison Eduation Program. How do you think technology is used for positive and negative ends within the prison system?
    In addition to watching/listening to today’s lecture, you may want to review the assignment links (After Now and Democracy Now), as well as this article shared during the discussion: Rikers in Crisis: Interview with Jose Diaz (PEP alum who was arrested and sent to Rikers during the COVID crisis).

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #10 (Session #24): Please discuss today’s Intro to LGBTQ+ workshop with Chris Woods. Please discuss any new terms, strategies, concepts, or resources that you learned about. Discuss the Breakout Room prompt: How can technology support LGBTQ+ communities in the time of COVID? How can different kinds of living situations be supported?

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #11 (Session 25): Please discuss today’s presentation from Michael Higgins, “When Tech Took A Bite Off Our Cities.” How has technology been a positive and negative force in the recent development of the cities Mike discussed?

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #12Β (Session 26): Please post what you made in today’s workshop. It doesn’t have to be finished. If you plan to continue working on your story for the final project,Β PLEASE EMAIL ME (preferably now) and let me know your general plans. I will update the Final Project Requirements based on your plans.
    • Next week is also our final week of class. If you aren’t up to date on all the Phase 2 assignments up to this point, I strongly suggest that you catch up this weekend, so then you’ll have time to make a great final project.

  • Phase 2, Blog Post #13 (Session #27): Please discuss today’s presentations from Recent(ish) Grad Panel speakers Ansh Patel and Jordi Frank. If you’re about to graduate and/or if you’re applying for jobs: what are some of the issues you’re encountering in your job search process? Are you encountering or thinking about any particular job issues as a minority in technology? Did any points from Ansh and/or Jordi strike you as particularly interesting, useful, or memorable?