Monsoon Course on HCI FAQs

Updated 21-02-2023

These FAQs are now outdated. These are maintained here for archival purpose. For the most recent FAQs, please see here.

The following are frequently answered questions about the Monsoon Courses on HCI. Hopefully, both the current participants and future participants will find them useful. Below, there are more FAQs for those who are staying in the IITB guest house (irrelevant for those attending the courses virtually). If you had other questions, feel free to drop me a mail at anirudha [at] iitb.ac.in.

Q: When is your next course?
A: The next course is from June 1-15, 2022.

Q: What is the last date of registration for the course?
A: Formally, the announced last date of registration of the upcoming course is May 29, 2022. However, the course may fill up before that date. In the past, the course got full (and hence closed for registration) four to six weeks before the last date. Also, if you need accommodation on campus, that gets full sooner. So register as soon as possible.

Q: Is the next course in-person, virtual or hybrid?
A: The 2022 course is planned to be hybrid. This will be a synchronous, full time course delivered in hybrid mode. As long as the Covid19 restrictions allow, participants will have a choice to attend the course either in-person or virtually. If Covid19 restrictions are reimposed, the course will be taught fully in the virtual mode.

Q: I would like to attend the course only if it is in-person / I would like to attend the course only if it is available virtually. Is that possible?
A: The 2022 course is planned to be hybrid and the participants always will have a choice to attend the course virtually. All course lectures, assignments, project work and presentations can be done virtually. Unfortunately, the same cannot be guaranteed about those who wish to participate in-person as Covid19 restrictions may be reimposed at any time. We will make an attempt to ensure that those who prefer attending in-person get the opportunity to do so. But this is not a guarantee and is not under our control. On a related note, cancellation of participation is allowed only as per the cancellation policy on the course page. Beyond the stated cancellation policy, it is not possible to cancel participation on the grounds that the course is not being held in-person.

Q: Can I switch from in-person to virtual? Can I switch from virtual to in-person?
A: If you wish to attend in-person, you will need to give your choice by May 30, 2022. Switching after that date is subject to availability. You could swicth from in-person to virtual at any time (but please be mindful that this will cause wastage of arrangements such as food and stationery).

Q: What are the course timings?
A: In theory, 9:15 am to 5:45 pm, but we may extend this in the evening, or there might be some homework. To the extent you can help it, please keep the evenings free. On the first day, we start a little late (to buffer some late arrivals from out of station) and on the last day, we plan to wind up by 4 pm. There are no lectures planned on the weekends, but there will be homework and your project group may plan some work together. It is recommended to block the whole time out.

Q: I will be coming to Mumbai / to IIT Bombay on the morning of the course. Could you give me precise directions?
A: IIT Bombay is in Powai and is well known to auto / taxi / Uber / Ola / Meru drivers. Once in IIT Bombay (directions) reach the Jalvihar Guest House, where the course will be conducted (subject to change - look out for my emails). You can always ask for directions at the main gate. In the guest house, come to the conference hall on the ground floor. The registration will start at 8:45 am on the first day.

Q: Should I bring a laptop / tablet?
A: Yes, please bring your laptop / tablet. Most of the course material will be distributed digitally, so having a device to read and follow along will be useful. You could also use it for creating your prototypes. If you don't have a laptop / tablet, you should at least bring along a smartphone.

Q: Will I be able to finish off pending office work?
A: The short answer is "No" :). The course is quite hectic, with very little buffer time, and involves a lot of homework and project work. You will get the most out of the course if you are able to dedicate your full time to the course. You will learn most by doing. I suggest that you try to keep your office work in the office.

Q: What documents would I need to carry with me? What else should I carry?
A: (This applies to only those who are attending in-person.) Please carry a photo-ID for the security and your Covid19 vccination certificate. (I will let you know if more requirements turn up at a later date). At the IITB gate, inform the security that you are "attending a CEP course in the guest house" and they will direct you. Call me in case you need to (I will mail you the number separately). At the time of registration, you will receive a name-badge. For security, you need to possess the badge along with your photo ID as long as you are on the campus.

Q: Will it rain a lot in Mumbai? Should I bring an umbrella?
A: In Mumbai, the normal dates of the Monsoon are June 7 for arrival and September 25 for withdrawal. But you can be never sure when it can start pouring even in the delta neighbourhood of these days. If there are any weather warnings, I will update you two days before the course.

Q: Do I need to read anything before coming to the course?
A: Here is a list on my favourite books and my papers page. Read what you can. Also, during the course we will be doing a project - try to read up background material on your choices of projects. I will write to you more about the course project a week before the course.

Q: I will be asking for a reimbursement for fees from my organization. When will I get my receipt? Would it be possible to get a receipt sooner?
A: The CEP office of IIT Bombay deals with all such issues. They usually hand over / mail the receipts on the last day of the course. If you have special needs (such as need for an early receipt), mail them (cep [at] iitb.ac.in) or call them on 022-2576 7060.

Q: Do I get a certificate for attending this course? When do I get the certificate?
A: Yes. Till 2021, the CEP office gave a "certificate of participation" to all those who attended the course. From 2022, we introduced evaluations in the CEP courses. The assessment scheme for the Monsoon Course includes a course project (groups of 4-6 participants will work on course projects which will be evaluated through project presentations) and invididual assignments. The CEP office gives a "certificate of completion" to participants who get above 50% marks in the course evaluation. The CEP office gives a certificate of participation to those who get less than 50% marks in the evaluation, but do have sufficient attendance and active participation in the course. The certificates are mailed by the CEP office about 45 days after the course.

Q: Can I show my course project as my work in future?
A: Yes, you can include your course project work in your portfolio, as long as you fully acknowledge the contribution of other participants in the group that you worked with.

IITB Guesthouse FAQs

These FAQs apply to those participants who are attending the course in-person and have a confirmed guest house booking.

Q: How good are the guest houses in IIT Bombay?
A: Here are some reviews. There are more reviews online. The big advantage of staying in the guest house is that you get to stay on the campus and skip on the commute.

Q: I would like to stay in an IIT Bombay guest house. How / when do I get a confirmed booking?
A: If you require guest house accommodation, you should indicate so when you register for the course. Please note that your accommodation is not automatically booked. It will be confirmed (subject to availability) only after you pay the registration fees. This is a manual process and there could be small delays. If you indicated that you wanted guest house accomodation, but 3 days after you paid your fees if you did not get a confirmation either ways, please send an email to anirudha [at] iitb.ac.in.

Q: Which guesthouse am I to go to?
A: Your booking is in the Padmavihar Guest House and the course will be in the neighbouring Jalvihar Guest House. Ask for directions at the gate.

Q: Is the accommodation shared? What is the chance of getting single accommodation?
A: Yes, usually the accommodation is shared (doubles) as rooms in the guest house are limited. If you want a single room, you could try by requesting at the reception and they may accommodate you if rooms are available, but don't count on it. Alternately, there are several serviced apartments and hotels near the campus that you could book. They are usually more expensive than the guest house.

Q: I am arriving on the day of the course. Would I need to come directly to the venue or check in at the guest house first?
A: Check in, drop off your luggage and try to reach the venue as soon as you can.

Q: I am coming in on the earlier evening / I am leaving in the evening of the last day of the course. Is that OK?
A: By default, the guesthouse is booked from the night before the first day to the morning after the last day of the course. If your arrival / departure dates are different, let me know and I will try to help.

Q: I don't need the guesthouse on the weekend. Can I save some money?
A: That is a bit complicated, but possible. Firstly, you will need to change your room so that you are sharing the room with someone who wants to do exactly the same thing. Also, please let the guesthouse people know well in advance. When you check out (together, in time) for the weekend, ensure that you inform the guest house staff that you intend to be back and to hold your booking. Also, while there are no classes on the weekend, remember we will have homework (often group work) on both weekends. You could do some work when you are away, or you could participate remotely, but you will need to coordinate with your group members.

Q: Do I require any specific information to check-in to the guesthouse when I come in?
A: Do carry a photo ID and your Covid19 vaccination certificate. The guest house will know about you, so just arrive and announce yourself at the reception. In case of confusion ask them to refer "Prof. Anirudha Joshi's list". In case you need it, I will send you my number in a separate mail.

Q: Is the accommodation cost included in the course fees?
A: No it isn't. You will have to pay on checkout like in a hotel.

Q: Will the guest house accept a cheque / credit card / debit card for the payment?
A: The last time I checked, they accepted only cash. (Thankfully, there are Canara Bank, Saraswat Bank, SBI and ICICI ATMs nearby).

Q: How much will the guest house cost me?
A: See current tarrifs and policy - CEP course participants are Category III. Breakfast is usually included in the guesthouse cost. On working days, lunch is included in the course fees. You can have other meals in the guesthouse or at other choices in and around the campus. The guesthouse will charge you only for the meals you have there, but be sure to inform them in advance.