Sketching Reflections in a Human-Computer Interaction Course

Since last one decade, the field of computer sciences faces a shift of interest "beyond the desktop" into unconventional territories which has led to the exploration of movements "in the wild." This transition challenges the seamless application of established design methodologies, leading to imbalances in researcher-community interactions due to a lack of transcultural interaction and communication skills. To address this, Service Learning (SL) is recognized as vital for cultivating 21st-century skills and nurturing balanced graduates. In response, a Human-Computer Interaction course incorporated a community-based research module with visual reflection exercises. This paper presents the methodology and outcomes of these exercises, revealing insights into students' interactions with partner community (in this case a cultural heritage institution). Ethical considerations and teamwork emerged as core themes, highlighting the complexities of obtaining consent, fostering collaboration, and managing expectations. These reflections underscore the transformative potential of SL in fostering culturally sensitive, ethically responsible professionals. The study contributes to the discourse on participatory engagement, community-based co-design and contextually grounded training programs for the computing and engineering graduates.