The course is an introductory course to the Master's Programme in Media and Interaction Design. The aim of the course is to provide students with critical and creative knowledge of advanced media technology concepts and systems.

The course focuses on a technological concept (for example visualization, artificial intelligence, or 3D modelling) that will serve as a case through the semester. The students will study and discuss technology philosophy that illuminates the chosen technology from different perspectives, and they will explore and experiment practically with the technology in question with the goal of applying it to new areas.

Through theoretical insight, the students will be able to challenge the way in which the technology is used today, and through practical exercises tied to modern methods for software development, they will be able to design and develop new ways to utilize the technology in question.

The course is workshop-based, and the workshops integrate theory and practice.

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• can apply concepts and principles linked to technology philosophy, media design, interaction research and innovation theory to a critical discussion and analysis of media technologies.
• has specialized knowledge about computational thinking and software development linked specifically to a concept in media technology.

Skills

The student can

• analyze media technology with a focus on how design impacts interaction and user experience.
• identify and discuss issues and challenges for the design of media technology today, with a focus on interaction.
• discover appropriate tools and techniques for software development.
• assess the socio-cultural implications of interactive media and user-generated content.

General competence

The student can

• perform independent development based on a selected technology.
• plan and execute a project in software development in collaboration with others.
• analyze relevant issues relating to professional ethics and research ethics in user experience, media design and interaction design for media.
• communicate about theoretical and practical issues related to media technology and media design.

There are four compulsory requirements:

1. Oral presentation of the case technologies based on theoretical perspectives.
2. Written specification of the prototype
3. Demonstration of partially functional prototype
4. Complete the quizzes from the lectures.

The compulsory requirements must be approved before the student can take the exam.

Approved compulsory requirements have no time limit.

The exam consists of two parts:

1. Individually essay of 1000 words that documents the discussions from the quizzes taken during the course. (20%)
2. Individual academic essay of 6000 words, in which theory is used to shed light on the prototype development. (80%)

Assessment in teaching semester.

In case of illness during a home examination or when handing it in, the Department can grant an extension of the deadline for submission. Normally, a 1-3 days extension will be given. In case of illness or other special circumstances, you must contact the study advisor (studiekonsulent.praktiskinfomedia@uib.no) before the deadline for submission. Upon submission, the medical certificate / documentation must be shown.