Attend class regularly

Attendence is mandatory. Please consult the workshop page for details about penalties for missing individual Worshop sessions. In addition to these penalties, students may fail the class for missing more than five class periods.

Respect deadlines

Professionals are people who learn to manage deadlines well. I do not accept late work unless the student has made arrangements with me BEFORE the deadline to hand it in late--no exceptions. Extensions are not guaranteed, but I often grant them, as long as they are requested in a well-written email BEFORE an assignment is due. Students should ask for extensions via email by 6 p.m. the day before an assignment is due. All extensions are granted by 10 p.m. the day before an assignment is due.

Do not expect makeups

In the workplace, performance cannot be "made up" due to absence. I have applied a similar ethic to this class, which means that students cannot make up workshop sessions, presentations, on-site usability testing, or work that was handed in late or inadequately prepared. Exams may be made up if the student makes arrangements with me ahead of time, and only at my discretion.

Arrive on time for class / stay for the duration

Lateness is disruptive and disrespectful in any situation. I treat lateness the same as an absence, for both regular class periods and workshop sessions. Leaving early without informing me will result in the same penalty. Also, expect to be publically chastised for arriving late or leaving early. Perpetual disrespect for the boundaries of the classroom can result in a failing grade for the class.

Respect basic rules of technology and meeting etiquette

There is no "right to technology use" in my class. Cell phone use is obviously not allowed during class period. Please turn ringers off before class begins. Laptops and other electronic devices will be used at my discretion, and for class-related activities only. I will tell students when to open their laptops and when to close them. Expect to be publically chastised for violating these standards, and in extreme cases, penalized academically.

Maintain a positive attitude / be a problem solver

Excessive negativity is a liability in any collaborative effort. Because we will all be working together to satisfy the client, I expect students to approach the client project with positivity and enthusiasm. This attitude will go a long way in my class. Working with real clients is not always easy. Problems and misunderstandings often arise. The most productive posture towards these inevitable challenges is to be a problem solver rather than a complainer.

Be professional at all times

A professional is someone who possesses the following qualities: restraint, polish, attention to detail, and a keen sense of what is appropriate in particular professional situations. Professionals show restraint; they master their own emotions and negativity, always looking for the most productive response. Professionals are "polished," which is another way of saying they are "well put together"--they dress well for client meetings, their presentations look well planned and rehearsed, their email communication is well written, etc. Polished is the opposite of slovenly. Professionals pay attention to the fine details; they plan ahead. And finally, professionals dress, act, and speak appropriately for every given situation.