calendar

Weeks 1 – 6
Introduction to the unit; why context is important; theoretical and research frameworks; analysing case studies;
Themes include social computing, media-sharing environments, folksonomies, personal broadcasting and publishing, educational gaming, and creative licensing.
Weeks 7 -12
Student presentations (Week 7); completion of research portfolios for submission.

Week 1 (Thursday 1 February)

We will begin by getting to know the aims of the unit. This will be an opportunity for students to ask questions about the structure of the unit, the timetable, the assignments, etc. The session will consider why context is important and then focus on social computing applications, exploring blogging platforms (e.g. blogger, wordpress, myspace, etc.) in particular. You will set up your online collaborative writing space, starting with a blog.

Week 2 (Thursday 8 February)

We will examine emerging aspects of social computing: tagging, folksonomies (e.g. flickr, deli.icio.us, etc.), and RSS feeds. You will be given tips & tools for managing photos and tags and integrating photo-blogging in your online publishing space.

Week 3 (Thursday 15 February)

In this session we analyse the network as a site for personal broadcasting. We will consider how you can we take advantage of do–it-yourself (diy), easy-to-use applications as a form of personal expression and as a means of information delivery.
This will include Podcasting and vodcasting.

Week 4 (Thursday 22 February)

Note: due to network problems at lsbu media labs we will not be accessing secondlife yet. Instead, this session will continue with social bookmarking/ podcasting and videoblogging, themes that approached during previous sessions.
This session will explore the way educational gaming is explored as a space for learning and practice-based research in new media art. We will examine new media art spaces and practices in Second Life. You will register on SL and start learning camera controls and the use of Snapzilla.

Week 5 (Thursday 1 March)

In this session in Second Life you will explore the world and start experimenting with methodologies for creative practice and research.

Week 6 (Thursday 8 March)

Research methodologies and practice-based research.

Week 7 (Thursday 15 March)

Research methodologies and practice-based research.
Week 8 (Thursday 22 March)

Research methodologies and practice-based research.

Week 9 (Thursday 29 March)

Student Presentations of research ideas.

EASTER BREAK (2 April – Friday 20 April)

Week 10 (Thursday 26 April)

Laboratory time to develop research portfolio, with review and feedback from tutor.

Week 11 (Thursday 3 May)

Laboratory time to develop research portfolio, with review and feedback from tutor.

Week 12 (Thursday 10 May)

Student tutorials of final research portfolio.