INFM 741 – SOCIAL COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
Section 0101, Shady Grove, Building 3, Rm 4206, Thursday 6:00 PM– 8:45 PM
Instructor:
E-mail:
Office:
Office Hours:
Dr. Brian Butler
bsbutler@umd.edu
2117b Hornbake Building
TH 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
and by appointment
Online communities, online discussions, Twitter, Social Networking Systems, Web 2.0, social
media, crowdsourcing, Facebook, blogs, wikis, social recommendations, collective
intelligence…. these are just a few of the many terms and technologies which making up the
rapidly evolving domain of social computing. Successfully deploying social computing
technologies requires a blend of technical and organizational knowledge and skills. Knowledge
of both the core technologies and central social dynamics is essential if you are to develop
effective social computing applications.
The goal of this course is to develop your ability to recognize and capitalize on opportunities to
use social computing technologies to advance the goals of individuals, organizations, and
communities. Specifically, upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:
 Recognize ways to use social computing technologies in a variety of domains
o Identify key technologies and vendors
o Locate activities that would benefit from the application of social computing
technologies
o Evaluate the fit between needs and capabilities of particular social computing platforms
 Develop strategies for successfully applying social computing technologies
o Outline design and plans that use social computing technology to address particular
problems or needs
o Identify the challenges which limit the successful deployment of social computing
systems
o Determine ways of mitigating the risks associated social computing projects
 Implement social computing technologies
o Use key social computing technologies and platforms
o Select the proper social computing technology for given task or projects
o Specify and implement core social computing tools, techniques, and platforms
Course Materials
BLACKBOARD/ELMS
On Blackboard you will find the course syllabus and schedule, presentation materials,
announcements, assignment details, and additional readings, videos, and podcasts about the
topics covered in the class.
It is important for you to visit ELMS regularly for announcements and course materials.
Reminders about specific assignments and due dates will be posted on Blackboard during the
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semester. Make sure your email address in Testudo and the University directory is accurate.
SOFTWARE AND LAPTOPS
In addition to the reading materials, we will use a variety of different social computing tools and
sites throughout the semester. For assignments, extra activities, and the project you will be asked
to examine and experiment with many different systems. To allow this, you should have access
to at least one computer that you have ability to install new software on.
Grading
The class grades will be assigned based on the following distribution of points;
Class Participation & Professionalism (individual)
Posters (7 @ 20 pts each)
Technical Assignments (individual)
Course Project (individual or groups)
Proposal
Progress Report
Prototype & Paper
Total
60 points
140 points
100 points
100 points
200 points
400 points
1000 points
Class Participation: The class sessions combine lecture, discussion, poster sessions, and other
activities designed to help you develop your ability to effectively use social computing systems.
These sessions complement the rest of the course (readings, assignments, projects, etc.). The
interactive nature of the class means that your active participation in class is critical for both your
efforts to learn the materials and those of your fellow students. Class participation will be
assessed on the basis of your participation in the classroom activities.
Posters: Throughout the semester you will prepare posters (6-8 Powerpoint slides, printed onesided) about various topics that you will bring to class. These posters will provide important
examples, background, and further details for the class discussion. Guidelines and signup for
each of the poster assignments will be provides in ELMS.
Technical Assignments: To develop and test your ability to use the core social computing
technologies you will complete at least 10 hands-on implementation activities.
Example
activities will be provided for each class. You may also propose comparable activities if you
would like to experiment with additional tools or complete a more in-depth investigation of a
technology, platform, or standard.
Course Project: The primary deliverables for the course project will be a prototype and a paper
suitable for submission to a conference such a CHI or CSCW. The project can be done
individually or in small groups. To insure that you make adequate progress on the project, and
provide you with comprehensive feedback you will prepare a project proposal, present an
intermediate progress report at the project workshop (mid-semester), and present the final project
deliverables.
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Late work
A 10% penalty will be deducted for each day or part of a day that an assignment is late. Please
prepare in advance so that you will not encounter technical difficulties that will result in your
work receiving a late penalty. If you have a conflict with the due date, assignments can always
be submitted early.
Students with disabilities
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are
encouraged to contact me and Disability Support Services (301-314-7682), as early as possible in
the term, but not later than the second week of class. Disability Support Services will verify
your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Academic Integrity
The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic
Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic
integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are
responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be
aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more
information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit
http://www.shc.umd.edu.
To further exhibit your commitment to academic integrity, you are asked to sign the Honor
Pledge on all examinations and assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or
received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (assignment)."
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INFM 741 TOPIC SCHEDULE
Week
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Date
Topic
8/30
9/6
9/13
9/20
9/27
10/4
10/11
10/18
Course Introduction & What is Social Computing?
Online Communities and Groups
Online Community Platforms
Wikis & Blogs
Wiki and Blog Platforms
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing Technologies
Project Workshop
9
10/25
Social Networking Systems
10
11
12
11/1
11/8
11/15
13
14
11/29
12/6
Social Network Analysis
Social Networking Technologies & Platforms
Social Bookmarking/Social Filtering/Collaborative Search
November 22– No Class -- Thanksgiving
Social Computing Application Workshop
Final Project Presentations
SEE ELMS FOR WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS AND READINGS
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