GE GAO | 高歌
4130 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742
COURSES AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
INST 408R Human-Centered Computing in a Global Context
This is a project-based course that focuses on human centered computing (HCC) in a global context. The goal of this course is to introduce students to various computational tools/systems that are recently developed for addressing ongoing societal issues in the United States and around the world. Students are expected to understand how the adoption of technology can affect, as well as be affected by, the cultural environment in which each specific social issue is embedded. Students are also expected to learn existing theories and practices that outline the cultural differences regarding human users’ expectations, practices, and problems of using technology to address social issues. The UN Sustainable Develop Goals consistute a complete list of topics to be covered in this course.
INST 362 User-Centered Design
This course is an introduction to user experience and user centered design methods in human-computer interaction (HCI). This course focuses on how HCI connects psychology, information systems, computer science, and human factors. Topics such as user needs, user behaviors, envisioning interfaces, and utilizing prototyping tools, with an emphasis on incorporating people in the design process from initial field observations to summative usability testing, are discussed. This course will introduce you to the user-centered design process, focusing on practical methods for approaching a design problem, including how to understand users, conduct user research, design for user experience, and evaluate user interfaces. Also discussed are appropriate uses of storytelling, sketching, and communication of design ideas within a design team and to potential users.
INST 335 Organizations, Management, and Teams
This broad course examines the principles, methods and concpets behind management, teams, and organizations, with an emphasis on understanding, performing, and facilitating effective work coordination in modern organizations. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to understand and explain classical theories and practice guidelines on intrapersonal and interpersonal processes that are essential to successful teams and organizations. They should also be familiar with recent research findings that discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by non-traditional forms of teams and teamwork (e.g., computer-mediated virtual or hybrid work).
Workshop on Interacting with Students in Multilingual Settings
As a volunteer service for promoting diversity and inclusion in today's learning environments, I deliver talks and tutorials at workshop series organized by the Global Classroom Initative. The goal of my talks is to help instructors understand the potential effects of language as well as cultural diversity on students' learning practices and outcomes. I also share insights drawn from my research that explores how machine translation and other forms of language technology can assist learning activities involving students speaking different native languages.