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MI 841 Professor Bonner - Advanced Methods of Understanding Users — Fall 2026 Timeline - Living Document
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Class meets Thursdays 4:10–5:00pm Eastern in Communication Arts Bldg 243. Work asynchronously between meetings. Weekly Work-by dates are the recommended Thursday pace (by 4:10pm ET). Four Milestone Review packets are submitted on the Milestone submission due dates below (Thursdays by 4:10pm ET unless noted). This Timeline on the course site is the schedule of record.
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Weekly Work-by dates are the recommended Thursday pace before class (4:10pm ET). Only the four Milestone submission Thursdays are required packet deadlines for students. Come to class with questions about your progress and lectures on the topics and methods.
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WeekMilestoneModule(s)Work-by date (Thu pace)Milestone submission due (Thu)TopicInclude in milestone packetPointsUniversity notes
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1A — Foundations12026-09-032026-09-24Module 1 — Introductions, Overview, SyllabusDiscord intro (Fall 2026 prompts); start semester slideshow40First Thursday meeting; MSU classes began Mon Aug 31
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2A — Foundations2 and 32026-09-102026-09-24Modules 2–3 — Usability + UX Intro + Process BrainstormComplete Mods 2–3 in slideshow70Labor Day was Mon Sep 7 — university closed
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3A — Foundations4 and 52026-09-172026-09-24Modules 4–5 — Protecting Human Subjects + Understanding DEIProblem Statement / Logline; DEI notes90
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4A — Foundations62026-09-242026-09-24Module 6 — Design AnalysisDesign Analysis template complete90Quarter of semester Thu Sep 24 (MSU RO)
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MILESTONE A SUBMISSION1–62026-09-242026-09-24Milestone A — Foundations packet dueSubmit Mods 1–6 as one milestone packet (Drive link via Discord/D2L as directed).290Quarter of semester (MSU RO)
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5B — Research methods72026-10-012026-10-22Module 7 — Sampling for UX ResearchSampling plan; start participant commitments80
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6B — Research methods82026-10-082026-10-22Module 8 — Surveys, Interviews, and Focus GroupsInstruments / protocol drafted; begin data collection70
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7B — Research methods92026-10-152026-10-22Module 9 — Secondary ResearchSecondary research slides; continue primary data collection70
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8B — Research methods102026-10-222026-10-22Module 10 — Accessible + Universal DesignAccessibility / universal design notes; results in packet55
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MILESTONE B SUBMISSION7–102026-10-222026-10-22Milestone B — Research methods packet dueSubmit Mods 7–10 as one milestone packet.275Middle of semester was Mon Oct 19 (MSU RO)
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9C — Analysis & testing112026-10-292026-11-19Module 11 — Competitive Analysis or SWOT for UXCompetitive / SWOT slides55Fall Break was Mon–Tue Oct 26–27 — no classes
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10C — Analysis & testing122026-11-052026-11-19Module 12 — PersonasPersonas; plan usability + playtesting schedule110
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11C — Analysis & testing132026-11-122026-11-19Module 13 — Journey MapJourney map; user-tester list50
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12C — Analysis & testing14 and 152026-11-192026-11-19Modules 14–15 — Usability Testing + Play TestingUsability + playtesting findings (distinct); start iteration notes100
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MILESTONE C SUBMISSION11–152026-11-192026-11-19Milestone C — Analysis & testing packet dueSubmit Mods 11–15 as one milestone packet.315Before Thanksgiving break
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13——No class — ThanksgivingUniversity closed — no submission due this ThursdayThanksgiving Thu–Fri Nov 26–27 — university closed
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14D — Insights & finals16 and 172026-12-032026-12-17Modules 16–17 — Iterations, Observations, Insights, One SheetIterations + observations + insights + one-sheet100
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15D — Insights & finalsFinal prep2026-12-102026-12-17Final Report + simplified slides — Project List Fall 2026Long deck kept; simplified shareable slides readyClasses end Sun Dec 13
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16D — Insights & finalsFinals2026-12-172026-12-17Final Presentations (15–20 min video) OR PhD-track articleVideo or article + peer reacts; collaboration reflection (20 pts)20Final exams Mon–Fri Dec 14–18
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MILESTONE D SUBMISSION16–17 + Final2026-12-172026-12-17Milestone D — Insights, final presentation & collaboration packet dueSubmit Mods 16–17 + simplified slides + final video/article + collaboration reflection.120Final exams week (MSU RO: Mon–Fri Dec 14–18)
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Milestone A subtotal (Mods 1–6)See milestone submission row290
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Milestone B subtotal (Mods 7–10)See milestone submission row275
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Milestone C subtotal (Mods 11–15)See milestone submission row315
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Milestone D subtotal (Mods 16–17 + collaboration)
See milestone submission row120
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TOTAL POINTSAll milestones1000
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