THIS TERM: April 2002 to September 2002
OVERVIEW
Upon entering the Media Centre charged with starting a Multimedia Unit, my first realization was that the staff were not yet skilled in Multimedia. So, before we could begin any true Multimedia projects, I had some training to do. As I was eager to begin some actual projects in addition to training, I collaborated with Melissa Gold of Extension in what we have coined in-situ training, teaching the skills necessary for a project while completing the project.
In addition to training, I embarked on a research project with CELT looking at how New Media can help education in the South Pacific.
PROJECTS
TEP02 ENGINEERING DRAWING CD WITH EXTENSION:
An Interactive CD that teaches, through animations and voice-overs, how to draw the technical constructions taught in the TEP02 extension class. Since the IMJ staff in neither the Media Centre nor Extension had the skills necessary to complete this project, a large component of the project was In-situ training, teaching the necessary Multimedia skills to the dozen or so participants through twice weekly hour-long flash sessions.
Details of the project can be found at:
http://www.grographics.com/wiki/index.php/TepFlashClass
LAPITA WITH PATRICK NUNN
Sangeeta Singh of Video and I traveled to Motoriki to photograph and film Patrick Nunn's excavation. We followed up these field photos with studio shots of the pottery.
JOURNALISM WEB CLASS
Twice-weekly two-hour sessions teaching the process for building a website to the Journalism Program.
Details can be found at http://www.grographics.com/wiki/index.php/JournalismWebClass
WEB FOR EDUCATION
One session dedicated to teaching students of ED350 how the Internet might be used for educational purposes in their schools in the near future.
Details at http://www.grographics.com/wiki/index.php/WebForEducation
GRAPHICS FLASH CLASS
Twice weekly sessions with the graphics unit, teaching them how to use Flash, so that we can use them for future Multimedia Projects.
Details at http://www.grographics.com/wiki/index.php/GraphicsFlashClass
BASIC AUDIO EDITING
Two 1 hour sessions teaching the Journalism program some basic audio editing skills on the Macintosh.
GENERAL WEB CLASS WITH IT
I have been preparing a textbook to accompany a short course we plan on offering in conjuction with IT which will cover Web Development from a technical perspective. We hope to hold this class next term, and in addition to raising money from the course itself, plan to sell the text at an affordable price in the bookstore. Additionally, as it is the only techincal web text that focuses on the South Pacific, it will be invaluable in training the Media Centre Staff for future Multimedia projects.
Further details at http://www.grographics.com/wiki/index.php/WebClass
RESEARCH: NEW MEDIA FOR EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
This project, in conjunction with CELT and with Maraia Lesuma of Audio, has three major facets:
- Questionnaire: distributed to local schools and students to determine level of computer access, usage and knowledge
- Summaries of prior research: We will provide summaries of research already conducted in the south pacific, most of which focuses on aspects like current and future connectivity.
- Interviews: Interviews with the local New Media Industry to add more qualitative and anecdotal information to the largely quantitative data the other two facets will supply.
We plan to finish this research project in the next term.
Additional information at NewMediaInTheSouthPacific
ANIMATIONS FOR VIDEOS
Created 3 animations using Macromedia Flash for use in production from the Video department.
NEXT TERM: September 2002 to April 2002
Continued projects:
GENERAL WEB CLASS WITH IT
Finish the course design/textbook and begin teaching in various centres.
RESEARCH: NEW MEDIA FOR EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
No longer in conjunction with CELT, I will apply to JICA for a grant so that I can visit the centres. In the meantime I will read existing research and meet with local staff, students, NGOs, and industry players.
New Projects
RESEARCH AND APPLICATION: OPEN SOURCE AND USP
This is a research project of necessity, looking at how the use of Open Source software can reduce costs and increase effectiveness of Interactive Media work at USP. Rather than relying on expensive proprietary software, we can achieve most of our technical needs through Free, Open Source software, which will save costs in both software and staff if properly organized. I will work with IT on this research, and will use the results of this research as the basis for the web sites planned for the following term.
The goal is to create a system that enables different departments to update their own websites with minimal technical knowledge, and minimal use of more expensive technical staff, while also insuring consistency through templates.
This research will be applied to the following sites:
- MEDIA CENTRE WEBSITE
We have begun initial steps to revamp the Media Centre Website, and will complete this project next term.
- UNIVERSITY EXTENSION WEBSITE
We have begun initial steps to revamp the University Extension Website, and will complete this project next term.
- RADIO PASIFIK WEBSITE
We have begun initial steps to revamp the Radio Pasifik, and will complete this project next term.
- JOURNALISM WEBSITE
We have begun initial steps to revamp the Journalism Website, and will complete this project next term.
All of these projects will be organized so that Media Centre is involved only in setting up the system and the design, and that all maintenance falls into the hands of the individual programs and departments. It is hoped that this model can then be applied to the rest of the University's departments so that coursework can be put online in a decentralized manner, minimizing cost and maximizing consistency and professionalism of the USP wesbite.
After further discussion, the project will be run as an InsituTraining project, using the projects as the homework for a course in Introductory Web Design, focusing on Information Architecture, Organisation, and Design. I will open the workshop to people both in and outside the University, so that we can raise some funds. Unsure what to charge external: $20 per person per session? Or more?
MARINE STUDIES INTERACTIVE CD
A CD that uses hands-on simulations and case-studies of actual coastal erosion to teach students in the Marine Studies Program about the control of Coastal Erosion.
RESEARCH: IN-SITU TRAINING: A MODEL AND CASE STUDY
This research project, in conjunction with Melissa Gold of Extension, draws on the experience of the Graphics Flash Class and TEP02 project, in which needed to train staff in the skills necessary for completing a project while completing that project. We will flesh out lessons learned into a model so that other staff faced with this increasingly familiar scenario can benefit from our experience. See InsituTraining.
ANIMATIONS
We anticipate increased requests for flash animations for use in Video projects and for Class room presentations, both face-to-face and via USP NET.
MARKETING
Multimedia needs to market its wares, both for internal/ educational and for external/moneymaking, by having a role in the pamphlets being designed by graphics, and through other means.