The Human-Computer Interaction Capstone is a project-based capstone course giving students a chance to apply HCI concepts and theory to real-world applications. Students will gain practical experience working in teams of 3-4, through a design-prototype-evaluate cycle for their stakeholders.  This year we will explore the use WWW and social media user interface technologies in the deployment of digital government and digital democracy in cities and communities, such as the Virtual Town Square.  We will be building interactive projects that improve the accessibility, social affordances and discoverability of community-based information and communication in the public interest.

The class will meet Fridays, from 1 to 3:45 pm. Early in the semester a list of specific projects and clients/stakeholders will be circulated. The course will begin with a short review of HCI research related to digital government, democratic participation, and digital cities and communities.  The majority of the work will be done outside of class and with your clients.  Final deliverables will be a working prototype, a website and report, and a poster to be presented at the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Computer Science Research Symposium (VTURCS) at the end of April.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in CS 3724 and CS 3744.