ASSIGNMENT - nonlinear timeline

Here's the description of your next assignment, Due november 21st. (blog post due next week - November 7 - with a short description of your idea)

ASSIGNMENT - non-linear timeline :

description by Judith Doyle

For this assignment, you will create a "non-linear timeline". Think, for example, of a short story, the paragraphs of which are to be found in different drawers and cupboards. Or of an easter egg hunt, with 25 eggs hidden in a backyard. You will create an account of an experience, event or memory (and its emotional content) that occurred over time. You do not have to build all the episodes out of words, you could elect to work with image/texts, sound recording, video clips, or even just pictures. However, it is important that the “timeline” theme is used.

Your non-linear timeline may be shaped like a leaf, a sandwich, a pile of clothing -- anything but a straight line. How can something be a "timeline" and not be in a "line"? Well, Baycrest psychologist Dr. Brian Richards thinks that memory is often shaped this way. We look forward to your interpretations!

Please, bring your ideas, sketches and work in progress to class on November 7 and 14. We will develop the projects in class, where you can get feedback.


REQUIRED NOVEMBER 7 : • 1 - 2 paragraphs about your idea, uploaded to blog with your FULL NAME.

PROJECT DUE : November 21 2006. Project description, on the blog. An IMAGE from your non-linear timeline. A link to your WEB SITE with the non-linear timeline.

NOTE : This assignment is a part of the "warmware" project, about creating assistive technologies for cognitive impairments. In the second assignment, you will use your nonlinear timelines as inspiration for assistive memory devices.


Virtual Communities

The following list is compiled by Mike Wu, U. of T. from research he has undertaken with Dr. Brian Richards and Dr. Ron Baecker.

Memory Problems

In the home, a lack of memory can lead to:

- the misplacement of objects like glasses, papers, keys, telephone
messages
- the inability to complete day-to-day chores (being distracted and
forgetting to return to a task that has been interrupted)
- going into a room but then forgetting why upon arrival
- not knowing what is coming up next
- not varying the choices of food eaten each day (which can be the
same for many meals)
- the inability to recall plot from a novel while reading it.

Memory impairment can severely affect the following tasks that are often
done outside of the home:

- the recall of simple facts that result in repetitive tasks such as
walking the dog several times a day
- forgetting where one is going, who they are with, or why they are
there
- misplacement of objects like identification or keys
- the inability to go somewhere independently
- the inability to relate back to what was talked about before at
social outings
- forgetting major events and details (such as family weddings or
parties), and
- the inability to maintain a job, though we note that a handful of
amnesic individuals we interviewed volunteer at schools or community
centres.

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