Non-Degree / Dates: 18 – 29 January 2027
The digital era needs digital solutions. Digital solutions can prevent and manage healthcare issues faster and more effectively both at the personal and societal levels. E-health innovations are proven to promote health and behavior change in various health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, etc. However, developing effective technological solutions for behavior change requires an interdisciplinary approach. While the competence of designing and selecting effective technologies is essential, that is still incomplete without an understanding of evidence-based behavioral change theories and techniques.
The course consists of a series of short theory lessons that provide the required background on knowledge of behavior change and the specific methods that can be applied by means of technological solutions.
Course Aims:
- To provide students with methodological knowledge of combining intervention design and interaction design methods for designing Digital Behaviour Change Interventions (DBCIs)
- To equip students with a critical understanding of theories, models, and frameworks of behaviour change
- To enable students to apply interaction design methods and tools contextualised for behaviour change
Brief description of the course
The course combines theoretical lectures with practical design workshops to provide students with both conceptual knowledge and applied skills. Students will learn about:
- Key behaviour change theories and frameworks (e.g., COM-B, Behaviour Change Wheel)
- Designing Personas for designing DBCIs
- Selection of Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs)
- Designing Scenarios for designing DBCIs
- Design patterns for operationalising BCTs in DBCIs
- Low-fidelity prototyping for early-stage design development
- Evaluation of low-fidelity prototypes
Course Outcomes
- Upon completing the course, the student:
- Understands key theories, models, and frameworks of behaviour change and their importance for designing DBCIs
- Demonstrates knowledge of methodological approaches for designing Digital Behaviour Change Interventions (DBCIs), including intervention design and interaction design methods
- Can use various interaction design methods and tools contextualised for behaviour change
- Demonstrates skills in developing and evaluating low-fidelity prototypes for behaviour change interventions
In accompaniment to these lessons, several interaction design workshops will be conducted where the students will apply the new knowledge to the health problem domain. In the workshops, students will work in groups by using various interaction design methods, tools, and a user-centered design approach.
The course will be finished with a session where all design teams will show the prototypes of their digital services.
Teacher(s)
Vladimir Tomberg, PhD, Associate Preofessor of Interaction design and Senior Research Fellow in Tallinn University;
Farhat-Ul-Ain, MSc in Health psychology, doctoral student in school of Digital Technology, Tallinn University
Tallinn University reserves the right to make changes to the teaching staff where necessary. Any such changes will not affect the learning outcomes or the academic quality of the course.
Timetable
Classes take place every day from Monday to Friday:
10:00 – 13:30 Lectures and seminars
After that, the students will have time for group or individual work, which is a convenient time for that, and the distribution of tasks will be agreed upon between the students. An approximate day-by-day course plan is available here. Please note that the schedule and topic order may be adjusted as the course is finalized.
Participants
Eligibility
Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree, or be professionals in relevant fields, including Psychology, Public Health, Health Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, and Design
Language Requirement
Proficiency in English is required.
Motivation Letter
Applicants must submit a motivation letter explaining why they want to join the course.
Final selection of participants will be based on relevant academic or professional background and a motivation letter.
The course is limited to 20 participants.
Credit points
Upon full participation and completion of course work students will be awarded 3 ECTS points and a certificate of completion.
Assessment criteria:
- Student shows knowledge of the basic theory of behavior change and the methods for applying the theory in practice when designing BC digital products and services.
- Student has participated in the design team and can demonstrate a designed prototype for BC product or service.
Course fee
| Early-Bird Course Fee (until 31 October) | 440€ |
| Regular Course Fee (after 31 October) | 500€ |
NB! Accommodation, cultural programme and meals are not included in the price.
Contact
Rudolf Schoenhuber – MD, MBA, Professor (Associate), Italy
Tallinn Winter School 2022
