Design for Behavior Change | CS247B

Over the last decade, tech companies have invested in shaping user behavior, sometimes for altruistic reasons like helping people change bad habits into good ones, and sometimes for financial reasons such as increasing engagement. In this project-based, hands-on course, students explore the design of systems, information, and interface for human use. We will model the flow of interactions, data, and context, and craft a design that is useful, appropriate, and robust. Students will design and prototype utility apps or games as a response to the challenges presented. We will also examine the ethical consequences of design decisions and explore current issues arising from unintended consequences.

Week	Assignments	Tuesday (A)	Thursday (B)
1: Jan 6 - Jan 12 Class Introduction & Baseline Study	Course Application Due Tuesday 1/6 @ 11:59 PM · Submit on Forms Discussion: Welcome to CS247B Due 1B · Submit on Canvas Writeup: Measuring Me Due Jan 8 · Submit on Canvas Sketchnote: The Science of Habits Due Jan 13 · Submit on Canvas Writeup: Measuring Me Take 2 Due Jan 13 · Submit on Canvas Screener and Baseline Study Outline Due Jan 15 · Submit on Canvas Pre-Study Interview Script Due Jan 15 · Submit on Canvas	1A Lecture Slides	1B Lecture Slides
2: Jan 13 - Jan 19 Targeting the Right People	Discussion: Ethics of Persuasive Technology Due Jan 15 · Submit on Canvas Pre-Study Interview Script Due Jan 15 · Submit on Canvas Screener and Baseline Study Outline Due Jan 15 · Submit on Canvas Sketchnote: Tiny Prompts Due Jan 20 · Submit on Canvas Find 5–10 Research Articles and Bring in Interview Transcript Due Jan 20 · Submit on Canvas	2A Lecture Slides	2B Lecture Slides
3: Jan 20 - Jan 26 Understanding the Context	Discussion: Why is there so much fraud in academia? Due Jan 22 · Submit on Canvas Post-Study Interview Script Due Jan 22 · Submit on Canvas Sketchnote: How to Stop Looking at Your Phone So Often Due Jan 27 · Submit on Canvas Raw Data from Baseline Study Due Jan 27 · Submit on Canvas	3A Lecture Slides	3B Lecture Slides
4: Jan 27 - Feb 2 Finding Patterns and Insights	Discussion: When is Nudging Manipulative? Due Jan 29 · Submit on Canvas Literature Review Due Jan 29 · Submit on Canvas Comparative Research Due Jan 29 · Submit on Canvas Sketchnote: Thinking Fast & Slow Due Feb 3 · Submit on Canvas Behavioral-Personas & Journey Maps (Individual) Due Feb 3 · Submit on Canvas	4A Lecture Slides	4B Lecture Slides
5: Feb 3 - Feb 9 Exploring Solution Spaces	Discussion: Ethics and Rewards Due Feb 5 · Submit on Canvas Mid-quarter Team Feedback Form Due Feb 5 · Submit on Forms Sketchnote: Context Due Feb 10 · Submit on Canvas Baseline Study: Synthesis Due Feb 10 · Submit on Canvas	5A Lecture Slides	5B Lecture Slides
6: Feb 10 - Feb 16 Solution Design	[Extra Credit] Pop Quiz Due Feb 10 · Submit on Canvas Discussion: Ethics and Privacy Due Feb 12 · Submit on Canvas Intervention Study Due Feb 12 · Submit on Canvas Sketchnote: Three Myths of Behavior Change Due Feb 17 · Submit on Canvas	6A Lecture Slides	6B Lecture Slides
7: Feb 17 - Feb 23 Lowering Risk and Visual Design	Discussion: Unintended Consequences Due Feb 19 · Submit on Canvas System Paths and Storymaps Due Feb 19 · Submit on Canvas Sketchnote: How to Make a Habit Irresistible Due Feb 24 · Submit on Canvas Raw Data from Intervention Study Due Feb 24 · Submit on Canvas Wireflows & Sketchy Screens Due Feb 24 · Submit on Canvas	7A Lecture Slides	7B Lecture Slides
8: Feb 24 - Mar 2 Ethics and Iteration	Discussion: I love GenAI but I hate the companies making it Due Feb 26 · Submit on Canvas Mood Boards & Style Tiles Due Feb 26 · Submit on Canvas Sketchnote: Consistency is for Closers Due Mar 3 · Submit on Canvas Assumption Tests Due Mar 3 · Submit on Canvas Intervention Study Synthesis Due Mar 3 · Submit on Canvas	8A Lecture Slides	8B Lecture Slides
9: Mar 3 - Mar 9 Usability Testing and More Iteration	Discussion: Design Justice Due Mar 5 · Submit on Canvas Clickable Prototype and Usability Script Due Mar 10 · Submit on Canvas Assumption Tests Report Due Mar 10 · Submit on Canvas	9A Lecture Slides	9B Lecture Slides
10: Mar 10 - Mar 16 Final Expo	[Extra Credit] Discussion: Tactics of Soft Resistance… Due Mar 12 · Submit on Canvas Usability Report Due Mar 12 · Submit on Canvas Project Fair: Lecture Slides Due Mar 12 · Submit on Canvas Writeup: Final Reflection Due Mar 17 · Submit on Canvas Final Writeup: Group Submission Due Mar 17 · Submit on Canvas Final Prototype: Grade Final Team Feedback Form Due Mar 17 · Submit on Forms	10A Lecture Slides	10B Lecture Slides

Lecture Info

Tuesday + Thursday 1:30pm–3:20pm

CoDa B90

Instructor

Christina Wodtke

Office hours: By appointment

Course Assistants

Studio: Wednesday 1:00pm–2:50pm

Studio: Tuesday 3:30pm–5:20pm

Studio: Wednesday 11:00am–12:50pm