The following Schedule is only tentative.  It is meant to give you an idea of how the semester will shape up - expect dates to change!  Assignments and readings listed below will be due in class on that day .

• First day of class. Read syllabus and explore website. 

Assignment of groups and first group exercise. Come up with ideas for what you are going to try to patent. Here are some sample student papers .Start reading and taking notes (in your journal) on Norman , Chapters 1 & 2. What is the difference between experiential and reflective cognition? What does it take to create an expert in a field? What are the pros & cons of using multimedia in education? 

Review Resources for Telephone module. This link leads to the TCC 315 Resources Page which contains information on the Telephone module and on outside resources that may be useful for your project. Information specific to the Telephone Module can be found on the "Invention of the Telephone" home page. 

Check the Exhibits page for information on rules (Exhibit 4) for the Telephone module project and also for background information on Gray's caveat, Bell's patents, and how such documents should be written (Exhibits 1 , 2 , & 6 ). Exhibit 5 gives an overview on how to build modern versions of early telegraphs which should prove useful for your prototypes. An overview of the assignments required for the Telephone module can be found on the Assignments page. One excellent resource that you may want to look at is a JAVA-based page developed by Mazen G. Baroudi and Daniel W. Mellen that demonstrates many of the key concepts used by Bell in his telephone invention. It is highly recommended for students who want a clearer understanding of the inner-workings of Bell's telephone. This is a work-in-progress page and comments are definitely welcome. Click here to access Alexander Graham Bell: An Experiment in Creation . 

• Additional info on "Advice for Working in Groups" web page. Work in groups on telephone design. Also, read " Who invented the Telephone? " from Ethical and Environmental Challenges to Engineering  by Gorman, Mehalik, and Werhane.
• Telephone designs to improve upon:
            Liquid Transmitter
            Magneto Receiver/Transmitter
            Carbon Transmitter
            Photophone Transmitter

• Turn in Caveat . Be prepared to give a brief, informal presentation of your caveat in class, with preliminary prototype and related notebook documentation.

• Prepare a patent . Discuss Norman, 1 & 2. What technologies make us smarter? stupider? What about the telephone? Can technology promote reflective cognition? Where does this class fall on the informal/school distinction on p. 40? Begin to read and take notes on Norman, 3 & 4. Group Memo due. Another example of a memo. 

• Reading due: Norman chapters 3 & 4, if there is time discuss in class. What is the role of representation in invention? What kind of representation is a patent? How will someone else represent your invention and use it?

• Present group processes. Complete Team Evaluations and bring them to class. Reading Due: Norman, 5 & 6. Use concepts in these chapters and earlier ones to help you describe the processes your group followed. Possible discussion of project from Med School student today or thursday. Group Memo due. 

• Present and hand in your patents for a communications device. Here are some suggestions and guidelines for the presentations .

• Mary Ann Leeper, female condom presentation (or 2/14). Read and take notes on Norman 5 & 6 for next class. Watch Kiki Jenkins video from 2/10 discussion on "Applying technology to the developing world and when it is appropriate".

• Reflect on first invention experience in journal. What thinking processes did groups follow? How can they be improved? Read and take notes on Norman, 7-10 . Also, read the SELF cases (Solar Electric Light Fund - at the bottom of the page) to be discussed today if the Mr. Fabel is not available.

Groups for Module II

1. You may choose your own teams.  
2. This module is focused on ethical design for the environment and for global development. There are a broad range of possible issues and levels of concern. 
3. You will conduct a patent search, and write a proposal to an outside agency for funding. The funding would allow your team to develop your idea and realize its commercialization

• Turn in a one page paper with your invention ideas for the new module. Reading due: Norman, 7-10 , especially his frequent references to telephone and communications technologies. Predict the future of such technologies. What does it mean to talk about technological progress? Discuss Norman . Give out Creativity Questionnaire and do "Idea Generation Exercise".

• Discuss Norman 7-10. Team work session: Creativity Lecture. Generate alternative concepts; Preliminary concept selection.  Construct a Mission Statement . Sample Mission Statement (for everyone's viewing pleasure). Also check out these two articles about patents.

• No Lecture by Patrick Guilbaud. Someone else?
• Read Tier 4 articles here and at end of Tier 4 ideas web page (4 articles total). Mission Statement and preliminary problem/solution ideas due.

• For your idea, why do you think there is a market? Who are your customers and what do they want or need? How many potential customers are there?  How can we meet customer needs for a Tier 4 market? Select final concept to pursue; document it, sketches, CAD models; product architecture; Bills of materials.  Costs and financial matter; marketing concerns. Read the Hindustan Lever cases. There are 4 cases on the materials page that you should read for class, make sure you read all of them!

• Discuss the Hindustan Lever cases. Group Memo Due. Read intro and chapter 1 of Development as freedom for next week.
• Here's how we will be evaluating your upcoming presentations .

• Continue to work on projects!! They will be due the Thursday (3/18) after Spring Break.

• Group Memo Due. Brief discussion of how to prepare for the Express Search lecture on Tuesday and the PTO trip.Group project work. Review the entire Norman book . What are Norman's primary themes? What new ideas did you find in this book? What do you agree with in this book? What do you disagree with?  What psychological concepts from this book are most important for Invention and Design?

• Final Draft of Mission Statement due! Discuss Development as freedom reading. Design for X = (manufacture, assembly, quality, reliability, environment...); Effective presentation guidelines.Group project work .
• John Fabel's basic business plan guidelines .

• Guest lecture by Rodger Flagg and Warren Beam of Express Search. Please have prepared for this lecture what invention idea your group will be investigating for this module. This way, when we go to the Patent Office (April 6th), they will more likely be able to help you search. 

• Please be prepared to present on Thursday (today), although some presentations might occur next Tuesday . Your job is to sell your audience on your idea. You should convince us that you have a great idea and the ability to make it a great product. You should show us how we can make money by investing in your company. 
• A brief Group Memo is due. Your final papers for the module will be due in the next couple of class days. Check the syllabus (and announcements in class) for more info.  
• The annual collegiate inventors competition gives out awards for inventions by college students.  If you are interested, see their web site: http://www.invent.org/collegiate/

• Introduction to last phase of Second Module. Lecture and group work with John Fabel.
• An example of a module 2 paper that got a C grade is located here . (Suggestions for improvement included attaching the survey and survey results discussed in the market analysis as an appendix; also breaking down the manufacturing costs into a chart or table to list all the components/parts and prices. In addition, figures of the alternative design ideas should have been attached for an improved grade.) The survey results and cost analysis chart were included later on for NCIIA proposal and are included here as examples. This is just ONE example and not a model for all papers (it does have the basic topics we expect you to cover). Contact us with questions.
• An example of a search disclosure for the patent search at the USPTO. Please prepare a search disclosure to bring with you on the PTO trip next week.

• Module 2 paper due! Also bring to class a write up of what probelm your invention is trying to solve for John Fabel's workshop.
• Lecture on Ethics; discuss environmental issues and problems. Decide whether to continue with same teams for final project.  Read an ethics case to be linked here soon. Discuss ethics and ideas for new technologies, issues of innovation, and government regulations.  John Fabel in class to suppliment the lecture and aid groups.

  Resources available for upcoming proposal:

  • How to write a Lemelson Level III Grant Proposal  
  • Some Lemelson Level III sample project abstracts  
  • Some examples of former Lemelson Grant Proposals  

• Trip to the Patent and Trademark Office today! Bring initial online patent search disclosures (see April 1st) with you for this trip, as well as your notebook to record ideas from the patent search. Be sure to notify your other professors that you will miss class today. Meet outside Thorton on McCormick Road at 8:45am. We will return around 6pm to the same location.

• Guest lecturer: Jack Hicks, Patent Attorney , Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, Greensboro, NC.  Jack will be able to answer some of the questions you might have after your visit to the patent office.  Come to class prepared with at least 3 such questions from each group included in a Group Memo due today.
• More info on the NCIIA grant proposals for this year:
  • APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 15, 2002
    Now available: online application process! Visit http://www.nciia.org/grants.html and click "start application" at the top of your screen to get started.Grants to support Technological innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.
  • The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) , a non-profit educational initiative, is seeking proposals for the development and support of innovation, invention, and technological entrepreneurship at U.S. colleges and universities.   
    The NCIIA is interested in proposals for courses and projects which incorporate opportunities for open-ended, commercially focused team based work in E-Teams. E-Teams are groups of students, faculty, and professionals who join together to pursue the development of an idea, product, or invention, or to solve a problem in a way that has the promise of developing a product or enterprise that will generate jobs and social benefits. The "E" stands for "excellence" and "entrepreneurship."
  • Two types of grants are offered:
    COURSE AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. Grants ranging from $2,000 to $50,000 will be awarded to projects that support the development, implementation, and institutionalization of new courses and programs in which student teams will develop innovative, entrepreneurial solutions to real-world problems. Funding can be used for course planning, stipends (maximum of $5,000), supplies, equipment, or expenses directly related to the project development.
    ADVANCED E-TEAM GRANTS. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 will be awarded to advanced E-Teams for further development and steps leading to commercialization of their ideas. Funding can be used for project expenses, legal fees, or student internships. Graduate and undergraduate students can apply for these grants with the assistance of a faculty sponsor.
    Additional information on the NCIIA : Email amickelsen@nciia.org or call 413-587-2172 with questions or concerns.

• TBA. Robert Thompson guest lecturer, retired design engineer for Eastman Kodak.  Robert will discuss two of his industrial process designs: a Poly Cup dispenser and a Robot Cubitainer Handler. 

• Evan will present his NCIIA grant proposal (for which he was successfully awarded a grant) as well as his patent today. Bring questions for him about the NCIIA grant process and about your presentations for next week. Group Memo Due.
• Evan's NCIIA grant proposal and more info on the Epi Card . 
• Shan and Clement's NCIIA grant proposal (not awarded but an excellent example)

• Present your NCIIA grant proposals. We will be giving you feedback on how to make improvements for the written proposals due the last day of classes (April 27th), so if you aren't clear on aspects of the proposal ask for feedback after your presentation.

• Continue and conclude presentations in class today. See some examples of NCIIA Grant Proposals from the materials webpage. WRITTEN PROPOSALS DUE TUESDAY the 27th!!

• NCIIA Grant Proposal Due - turn in written copy and specify whether or not you plan on actually submitting your proposal to the NCIIA.  Lecture on how to successfully change jobs. Please read these three VERY short documents for class today: Case A , Case B , Recommendations .
  

Final Exam

1 May (Sat): Final Reflection Paper due

• During exam slot: 9:00 am -12:00 pm  the "exam" will consist of a final reflection paper due by noon on May 6th into Evan's mailbox in the TCC office in Thorton.   Examples of previous forms of FINAL PAPER and some examples of final reflection papers . This reflection paper is similar to the group process reflection presentations done after the telephone module. Include any flow charts in your papers. These are INDIVIDUAL reflection papers and should NOT be done in groups. You may reflect on your group process for the entire semester, or just the last 2 modules - either way is acceptable. Email Evan with specific questions.