The definitions I found (Cambridge Dictionary):
TINKERING: to make small changes to something, especially in an attempt to repair or improve it.
Compared to the definition on the course wiki, the key component that is missing in the one above is how it is an experimental process. Additionally, I wouldn't really agree that tinkering is limited to small changes. Creative ideas can require drastic changes to a project and I believe that is part of the tinkering process.
TRIAL-AND-ERROR: a way of achieving an aim or solving a problem by trying a number of different methods and learning from the mistakes that you make.
BRAINSTORMING: an activity or business method in which a group of people meet to suggest a lot of new ideas for possible development.
The definitions ChatGPT gave me:
TINKERING: The process of experimenting with or adjusting something in a hands-on, iterative way, often without a clear plan, to improve or understand how it works. It involves playful exploration and minor modifications to achieve a desired outcome.
TRIAL-AND-ERROR: A problem-solving method that involves testing different approaches and learning from mistakes until a successful solution is found. It relies on repeated attempts, adjusting strategies based on failures or partial successes.
BRAINSTORMING: A creative thinking process in which individuals or groups generate a wide range of ideas or solutions to a problem without immediate judgment or criticism. The goal is to encourage free-flowing, innovative ideas that can later be refined or combined.
I actually really like the definitions ChatGPT responded with. However, the 'tinkering' definition, just like the dictionary definition, mentions specifically small changes as part of the tinkering process. I do not think this is true. I think big changes should also be considered part of the tinkering process, as it is a creative process and unpredictable in nature.
A typical I-tech related project case for me would be 'The Cookery Table'. This is a project I've actually been working on for the past months for DesignLab. The goal is to create an interactive table with lights and "plate detection", and is to be controlled through a phone or tablet by a moderator. Participants get a certain amount of time to speak, and this is visualised through the lights in the table. Working on the project is a lot of fun, but certainly brings about a number of technical challenges:
1. Designing and creating a table surface that allows for LEDs and sensors to be embedded.
Unfortunately there is not much space for playfulness here, as budget is limited, meaning that any modifications to the table surface have to be correct, or at the very least do not hinder achieving a polished final product in the end. The holes for the wiring were created through a bit of trial-and-error, as the original plan was to drill down through the table, before settling on drilling sideways and connecting wires directly that way.
2. Detecting plates when participants put them on the table surface.
To settle on the final concept (NFC modules), some brainstorming was done. As time and budget are important for this project, there is not much space for iteration. Some alternatives that were considered were weight detectors and light sensors (that would be covered by the plates).
3. Creating LED animations and have them make sense to the participants.
This problem actually allows for some playfulness. Although I have not finished the animations, I already went through multiple versions, changing whatever I thought should look different or could look better. This has been quite fun so far!
4. Creating a wireless remote for the moderator.
Based on a few basic requirements, I had a lot of freedom in the creation of the moderator interface. I quite quickly settled on a WiFi based control system, as this gave me a lot of flexibility regarding the look and feel of the remote, without needing very specific physical components that would cost additional money and time.
5. Managing the power required for the different components.