Wicked Problems and Sensemaking

Hello, my name is Youngbok Hong and I will be your instructor for this course!

Throughout this term, please feel free to contact me using the information below:

• Email: youhong@iupui.edu
• Phone: 317-278-9475
• Open Office hours: Mondays 9 am-10 am.  You can also set up an appointment by sending an email through the Canvas inbox. I will return your emails within 48 business hours. Only in the case of an emergency, email me at youhong@iupui.edu. Please be clear in the subject line as to what the message is concerning.  I will check the inbox at least once a day Monday-Friday. I will normally check in at least once over the weekend.

 

Course Description

Sensemaking is ubiquitous and involves daily decisions in operating our life. The course will overview the theories and evidence of sensemaking from many disciplines. By doing so, the course aims to explore  positions and roles of visuals in the sensemaking process with a focus on “wicked” human problems. Students will learn the concepts of visual sensemaking by applying the methods and tools and reflection on their experience.

 

Course Mode

This course is fully online using the IU Canvas learning management system.  If you have not previously used Canvas, please log into the course, click on Modules to the left and complete the Getting Started Module.

Also, we will have synchronous video chats based on the group's preference, likely held every other week at times the group agrees upon.

 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, you should be able to do the following:

1. Develop a deeper knowledge of the field of sensemaking
2. Understand the basic concepts of sensemaking from a human-centered design perspective
3. Apply the sensemaking methods and tools to make complex information clear
4. Understand the basic elements and principles of visual communication design within the context of design thinking
5. Articulate the relevance of the visual sensemaking to your own fields

 

Course Overview

The course is set up as a series of modules which we will work through over the course of the semester. The following is a list of the modules and their topics. 

Module 1: What is wicked problem and sensemaking?  
Weeks 1-2 introduce the overview of Sensemaking within the context of design thinking

Module 2: How to make sense methodically?
Weeks 3-7 introduce the basic methods of visual sensemaking through analysis and practice of methods..  

Module 3: Let's take a deep dive!:  
Weeks 8-15 focus on the application of the visual sensemaking methods. You will advance the conceptual understanding of the methods through engaging with a real problem. The last two weeks are focused upon finishing the final assignments. 

You will learn in this class through doing. The course activities consist of three elements, which are repeated in each module: DIGEST, DISCUSS, and DO. You will demonstrate your understanding of the introduced concepts through producing and communicating artifacts. 

1. DIGEST: You will read, watch and ponder the posted course materials.
2. DISCUSS: You will actively discuss what you've learned with your classmates and instructor to provide feedback among each other. 
3. DO: You will demonstrate your synthesis of learning by executing assignments and producing output.

The diagram below is a visual summary of the course roadmap. Due to the changes in the Fall 2020 academic calendar the class will be in session on Labor Day and there will be no Fall Break this semester. Week 13 is the last week of the course and you will submit the final work after Thanksgiving Break.

 

Required Course Materials

The reading material will be provided. 

You will also need:

• a laptop or desktop computer with the latest web browser versions that support Canvas
• reliable internet access
• word processing software, i.e. Word, or Google Docs
• presentation software, i.e. Keynote, Powerpoint, or Google Slides
• PDF viewer to read course materials, i.e. Adobe Acrobat/Reader
• Webcam, headset microphone to upload videos
• Some way to make and post a simple video (e.g., using a webcam, or a smart phone)
• Pen, paper, sharpies, markers, highlighters. Although we will use Miro, a virtual whiteboard tool, I advise you to use these analogue tools to externalize your thought process.  
• Table: Ideally you will need a clean table top surface. Get a table dedicated to this class for the next 15 weeks that you won’t have to clean or move.  Here is my setting to share with you. 

 

For online audio or video conferencing you will need:

• a laptop or desktop with a microphone (some people prefer a headset microphone or earbuds with mic)
• a webcam is recommended but not required
• Access to Zoom-hosted meetings

 

Course Assessment & Grades

* There could be some minor changes in this information.

	Value towards final grade
12 DIGEST activities You will prove your understanding of the lecture materials by participating in an interactive discussion. Each DIGEST activity is 30 points. This activity will require approximately 1.5-2 hour digesting content and doing the weekly readings Due midnight on Tuesdays	Total of 360 points ( 22%)
15 DISCUSS activities This section focuses on sharing your thoughts or experiences and providing deliberative comments on your peers’ posts. Each DISCUSSION activity is 20 points. This activity will require approximately 1.5-2 hour creating your discussion post and responding to others Due midnight on Tuesdays	Total of 300 points ( 18 %)
19 DO activities Each week, you will produce artifacts such as maps, reflection paper and slides deck that demonstrate your conceptual understanding of the introduced concepts. Each artifact carries a different point-value according to the complexity of the assignments.   This activity will require approximately 3-4 hours completing your assignments Due midnight on Sundays   DO: Sensemaking in Your Domain (40) DO: Seeking Clarity (40) DO: Sensemaking Map with a Cluster Structure (60) DO: Sensemaking Map with a Linear Structures (60) DO: Sensemaking Map with a Hierarchical Structure (60) DO: Survey on Types of Communication and Visual Design (40) DO: Final Submission (100) DO: Comprehensive Research Plan v1 (60) DO: Comprehensive Research Plan v2 (40) DO: Initial Sensemaking Map (40) DO: Revision of Sensemaking Map (20) DO: Finalization of Sensemaking Map (100) DO: Initial Message Map & Storyboard (40) DO: Revision of Message Map & Storyboard (20) DO: Final Message Map & Storyboard DO: Initial Slides Deck (40) DO: Revision of Slides Deck (20) DO: Final Slides Deck (100) DO: Reflection - Describe. Evaluate. Articulate (100)	Total of 1040 points ( 61 %)
Total	1640 points (100%)

No final exams! I’ll use a numeric scale during the semester before converting to a letter scale using the following correspondence:

Grade	Percentage Range
A	94-100
A-	90-93
B+	87-89
B	84-86
B-	80-83
C+	77-79
C	74-76   lowest passing grade
C-	70-73
D+	67-69
D	64-66
D-	60-63
F	<60%

 

Late Work Policy

Assignments turned in late receive a 1% penalty per late day.