Unit Description The unit gives a simple overview of the Internet’s history and roots, and introduces the notion of browsers. It raises issues surrounding the design of online interactive multimedia products (human-computer interaction, user interface design, usability, information design, audience targeting and suitability), and starts to establish criteria by which online interactive multimedia products may be evaluate. The unit facilitates the production of a simple website. Syllabus Seminars and workshops will provide a simple overview of the Internet’s history and roots, and an introduction to browsers. A range of online interactive multimedia products will be deconstructed, during group “surfing” sessions, in order to raise awareness of scope, and to start to establish criteria by which they may be evaluated. The individual student will then use the Internet to research, categorise, analyse, and appraise, a number of online interactive multimedia products. They will formally present a selection of these products, together with their appraisals, to the group. They will establish a personal web site, providing an interface to the reviews. The reviews will be presented as simple web pages linked to this site. Learning Outcomes On completion of this unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate the ability to locate information relevant to their studies Teaching and Learning Methods This unit is studio based, with an emphasis on responsive, student-centred experiential learning (including peer group learning). There will be group 'surfing'sessions, substantiated by research material accessed via the Interactive Multimedia digital environment. A range of teaching and learning methods are utilised, as identified below. Workshops will provide the technical skills necessary to access the Internet, and to produce a simple web site. Assessment The learning outcomes will be assessed through: - The presentation of interactive multimedia product reviews, and the submission of a personal web site, and simple web pages containing reviews (weighting 100%). Assessment criteria include: quality of research, quality of content (suitability of evaluation), effectiveness of interface and information design, usability, progress, and technical learning and effectiveness. Indicative Reading Students will be expected to engage fully in on-line research activities, facilitated through the digital environment that supports Interactive Multimedia (at www.newmediahull.net). WWW Virtual Library, http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVL-InfoQuality.html Technical Reading (latest versions), Software Manuals, On-Line Documentation Relevant Quickstart Guides Magazines Create Online, Computer Arts, Digit, Creative Review etc. |