New interactive environments 2011

General information

Course code: IFI7144

Facilitator: Terje Väljataga (researcher at Tallinn University)

Credit points: 5 ECTS (minimum work load 135 hours total)

Language of instruction: English

Level of course: MA

Program: Interactive media and knowledge environment (IMKE) master program (an elective course), Institute of Informatics, Tallinn University

Course duration: 12 weeks, weekly minimum workload 11,5 hours.

Fall semester 2011. Please keep an eye on this page for further information about this course and its tasks from September 2011 on. In the beginning of the first week there is no need to be online at certain times.

Prerequisite: Basic knowledge and skills for computer use (word processing, web browsing) and willingness to explore new networked tools and services and ability to read, understand and discuss about the course topics in written and oral English.

Requirements for participation: Participation requires a computer and access to Internet. There are no specific requirements for the network as far as it supports web browsing, Skype conversations and videoconferences. The participants are required to have headsets and a microphone and a camera is recommended. Most of the software used in this course is free and available to everyone.

Participation: The course is meant for IMKE (Interactive Media and Knowledge Environment master program) students. If you would like to participate in this course, add yourself to Participants page. Everyone is free to enroll and participate, but official credits are only available via Tallinn University. Contact the course facilitator for more information.

This e-course was supported by the European Union through the European Social Fund.

(Remark: According to the rules of Wikiversity the logos of the supporters are not allowed)

Objectives

Participants acquire:

• dispositions (conceptual knowledge, procedural skills, orientations) for conducting the analysis of new interactive environments;
• dispositions (conceptual knowledge, procedural skills, orientations) for representing (visually, textually, etc.) new interactive environmnets;
• dispositions (conceptual knowledge, procedural skills, orientations) for redesigning and reinstrumentalising interactive environments as human activity systems with digital technology and new media for one’s own purposes.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, the participants will have knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, theories and themes within the field of new interactive environments;

• demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which the interactions and meanings of different digital technology are produced;

• demonstrate an understanding of how digital technology can reflect and shape personal and social identities;

• demonstrate an overview of contemporary digital instrumentation options for communication and collaboration

Disciplinary skills

• apply key concepts, theories and ideas to specific digital technology, processes and products;

• assess the merits and challenges of different frameworks for analysing interactive environments;

• reflect critically on the impact of contemporary digital technology on their own ideas, beliefs and values;

Transferable skills

• learn both independently and in groups;

• present ideas to different audiences using appropriate technology and media;

• use technology as a communication and learning tool;

• use English as a foregin language to express ideas and thoughts.

Course tools and services

The course will be supported by the selection of various networked tools and services, such as Weblogs, wiki, synchronous web-based collaboration service, videoconference service, synchronous communication tool, etc.

Course information

Study guide

Tutorial for course tools and services

Course outline

week 1 - introduction

week 2 - me and digital technology, self-observation

week 3 - frameworks for analysing interactive environments

week 4 - from interaction to interactivity, operationalising interactivity

week 5 - discussion

week 6 - mass media versus personal media, conceptualising personal media

week 7 - discussion

week 8 - media theory and interactive environments

week 9 - discussion

week 10 - philosophy of technology, tool or medium

week 11 - discussion

week 12 - Conclusions and final reflection