WHAT: This course is an introduction to interactive, emerging media technology with a focus on project based, cooperative learning. Students will be immersed in the protocols and processes of the Media Design Process: research, documentation, and presentation, which will serve them in the face of rapid changes in technology. Students will explore basic theoretical and applied concepts of audio, visual, tactile, and interaction design through creative group projects, visiting professionals, and on-line documentation of their work.

WHY: This is a class about understanding and communication. Before designers, inventors, engineers, writers, or artists start the process of making, they must develop understanding by conducting research. During this course, we will be conducting research, in an effort  to understand the people we are communicating with and the context we are communicating within. The exploration of emerging, interactive media will be the focus of our research.

HOW: Students will cultivate their Design Process through SELF-LEARNING, COLLABORATION, and EXPERIMENTATION. Students will be in charge of their own education, meaning they will be given guidelines for topics and processes and will be expected to research, discover and share the answers by maintaining a Emerging Media Blog. This will not a passive experience. Be prepared to get your hands and your brains dirty.