Responses and Discussions

As part of the technical reading and communication goal of this course, you will read one technical systems paper each week. Your job is to:

  1. Read the paper. See how to read. While you should aim for a general understanding of its key contributions and impact, understanding of every detail is not expected.
  2. Lead: For 1 paper, with a group of up to 4 students:
    • Prepare a short joint introductory presentation (about 3 minutes) about the broader systems area in which this paper arose. There are many ways to frame this background; check in with me ahead for ideas.
    • Develop a set of discussion questions that will be used for breakout group discussion of the paper, introduce those questions before we begin breakout discussion.
    • The group may divide this work as they wish; each team member should contribute in roughly similar measure.
    • Sign up for a spot on this sheet. You may pre-arrange a group or just put your name down and see who joins you.
    • I am available for advice and feedback while you prepare these parts. My intro and questions for the first paper discussion aim to set the tone.
  3. Response: For at least 4 papers (the plan is to read 6), write a short paper response (200-400 words) and submit on gradescope by the start of class the day the paper discussion is scheduled. The response should:
    1. Briefly summarize the key contributions or findings of the paper.
    2. Discuss at least one strength that makes you enthusiastic about the value of the paper’s contribution.
    3. Discuss at least one limitation that makes you skeptical about the value of the paper’s contribution.
    4. Describe how this paper changes your thinking about building systems.
  4. Participate in paper discussion on the scheduled day.

Evaluation

Grading for the Lead and Response elements is on a checkmark basis with the intent to reward critical engagement with the ideas in the paper. (Notice fully understanding the paper is not required; evidence of thinking about it is.)

  • check-plus: especially effective
  • check: successful (expected to be typical)
  • check-minus: incomplete attempt that does not address all required elements
  • zero: no submission / participation

“Check” or above yields full credit for the relevant course grade component. When averaging paper responses, a check-plus cancels out a check-minus. Two check-pluses cancel out a zero.

Paper List

See also: leader signups, response submissions.