GE GAO | 高歌
4130 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742
Contact: gegao[at]umd[dot]edu
COURSES DESIGNED FOR UMD STUDENTS
INST 878O Research Seminar on CSCW
This course is a PhD-level research seminar tailored for students with strong interests at the intersection of computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), behavioral sciences, and human-centered computing (HCC). It covers eleven key CSCW topics, organized around four main themes: Collaborative Work in Teams and Groups, Collective Actions in Virtual Communities, Social Responsliblities in/of System Design, and Emerging Topics and Perspectives. The readings for the first three themes are pre-selected by me as the instructor. The final theme features student-nominated topics, which are typically updated each time the course is offered. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be familiar with the theoretical underpinnings and empirical practices of CSCW research. They should also demonstrate the ability to integrate this knowledge into their own scholarly work by developing and presenting an independent research proposal. For students interested in continuing this work, I will make myself available to mentor them on their proposed research after the course concludes.
INST 408R Human-Centered Computing for Global Challenges
This course is an upper-level elective designed for senior undergraduate students across the university. It introduces students to a range of recently developed computational tools and systems aimed at addressing pressing societal issues in the United States and around the world. Through selected readings and case studies, students will explore how the adoption of technology both influences and is influenced by the socio-cultural contexts in which specific social issues are situated. The issues examined in the course are drawn from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular focus on Decent Work and Economic Growth, Quality Education, Good Health and Well-being, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Reduced Inequalities. By the end of the semester, students are expected to apply the theories and practices discussed in class to propose a concrete technological or socio-technical system design. This proposal must be grounded in evidence gathered throughout the semester and should address at least one ongoing social issue in the U.S. with a global component.
INST 362 User-Centered Design
This course is a core introductory offering for undergraduate students in the InfoSci program. The learning conent is designed to provide students with foundational concepts and essential skills in user-centered design and user experience (UX) research. In particular, students will aquire practical techniques for defining design problems, understanding the needs of target stakeholder groups, sketching conceptual design through persona creation and storyboarding, and conducting rapid prototyping and rigorous evaluation. They will also learn how to effectively communicate their design ideas within teams and to potential external audiences. Since 2022, I have introduced an additional learning module on Bias in User-Centered Technology Design to my sections of the course, aiming to raise students’ awareness of this increasingly urgent issue and to present possible approaches for addressing it. By the end of the semester, students are expected to complete a team-based design project structured around six succssive milestones, culminating in a final presentation of their design deliverable with interactive demos. They will also complete a manageable number of individual assignments and in-class exams to reinforce their conceptual understanding of the user-centered design process.
INST 335 Teams and Organizations
This course is a core introductory offering for undergraduate students in the InfoSci program. It examines the principles, methods, and concepts underlying teams and organizations, with an emphasis on understanding, performing, and facilitating effective work coordination in modern work settings. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand and explain classical theories and practical guidelines related to intrapersonal and interpersonal processes that are essential to successful teamwork and effective organizations. They will also become familiar with recent emprical findings and real-world practices that address non-traditional forms of collaboration, such as those occurring in computer-mediated, virtual, or hybrid work environments.