Department of Mass Communications and Center for New Media
Colorado State University - Pueblo
2200 Bonforte Blvd.
Pueblo, CO 81004

Prerequisites: MCCNM 101 and 132 (or demonstrated proficiency in Web design)

INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Ebersole, PhD
Office location, hours, email & phone: see link
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Interactive Media & Interface Design presents an overview of interactive media systems and usability issued related to interactive media design and delivery. Students are introduced to the theory and application of interactivity as applied to the newer communications technologies and media systems. Students of the course should be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic computer skills; e.g., keyboarding and e-mail, and should have already completed MCCNM 132, Web Design, or be able to demonstrate proficiency in the area of web authoring. These skills are necessary in order to effectively participate in the course. Also, it is assumed that participants in the course have access to a computer with e-mail and web browsing software. Such access may be via your own personal computer and an account with an ISP or through any one of the public computer labs on campus utilizing your student account. It is important that you can access the internet at a sufficient speed to view rich media content. Class time will be divided into units focusing on Presentation (content), Collaboration (communication), and Application (consequence). Communication with the professor outside of class time will take place primarily via e-mail and the tools found in Blackboard. All written assignments will be produced and submitted electronically. This is not to discourage F2F (face to face) interaction, but rather to increase your proficiency with the tools required by interactive media. Students in MCCNM 336 will be expected to create interactive media content using a variety of tools; e.g., web authoring software and multimedia content creation tools.

Objectives

1. to introduce the student to the history and state-of-the-art of interactive media
2. to acquaint the student with the terminology of interactive media and the hardware and software used for media interaction
3. to prepare the student to interact with new and emerging media, and
4. to introduce the student to some of the tools used to produce content for the new interactive media

Text

Silver, M. (2004). Exploring interface design. Thomson Delmar Learning.

In addition, numerous readings (including e-zines and e-journals) available on the WWW will be assigned. (See Blackboard for specific references.) Many of the best publications exist as e-zines and are freely available. Blogs or "web logs" provide a rich source of information, see, e.g., http://interactive.usc.edu/. I'll try to highlight the most important blogs in the MCCNM 336 course blog. In addition, print periodicals and trade magazines are available for those attempting to learn about new media and interactive media, e.g., Broadcasting & Cable, Digital Media Magazine, Wired, etc. It is important for you to become familiar with the available publications and to develop the habit of at least skimming the most important ones each month. Please read assignments before in-class discussion of those topics.

5-minute Reports

Each student will be required to present three 5-minute reports to the class on topics/issues relating to course content. Suggestions for eligible terms/concepts will be offered and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The first report must be presented as a PowerPoint presentation hosted by SlideShare, the second as a podcast, and the third as a SlideCast. During the 5-minute presentation the student is expected to introduce, define, and explain the term/concept and to do so in a creative and visually persuasive manner. Each oral report must be accompanied by an entry in the Encyclopedia of Interactive Media, a collaborative web space that we will construct over the course of the semester. In addition to your three original entries, each student will contribute to seven entries already posted by your peers. These contributions should be substantial and should correct inaccurate information and/or further develop some aspect of the initial entry.

Term Paper

The term paper must be submitted as an electronic hyper-document. The e-paper, whose topic is subject to the approval of the instructor, should reflect serious research about the history, state-of-the-art, or social impact of some aspect of interactive media. Regarding style, please follow APA (American Psychological Association) guidelines.

Examinations

There will be periodic quizzes and a final examination on the 5-minute reports, assigned readings, and class discussion/presentations.

Evaluation

Policy Statements

Attendance
Because the class will be taught using a combination of lecture presentations and discussions, punctual attendance at class sessions is expected. Make-up of any quizzes, exams or other assignments missed due to an excused absence must be arranged with the professor before the next scheduled class meeting to avoid a grade of 0 being registered. Cell phones, beepers, and 2-way communication devices may not be used during class time. Please be sure that they are turned "off" before class begins. If it rings during class, I get to answer it! If you must leave before the normally scheduled end of class, please make arrangements with me ahead of time and sit near the door.

Academic dishonesty
Academic dishonesty in any form, including cheating on examinations, fictionalization, using another student's work as your own, plagiarism of written documents, whether covered by copyright protection or not, or falsely representing another s work as your own, is not tolerated in the professions of mass communications, nor in this department. Students found in violation of this policy will receive a grade of F for the course upon the instructor's findings and recommendations to the department chair. In extreme cases, such violations may also result in dropping such students from the department and their major or minor in mass communications.

Disability Statement
This University abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap." If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the instructor as as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provided documentation of your disability to the Disability Resource office, which is located in the Psychology Building, Suite 232.

Computer Lab Etiquette
Use of the MCCNM computer lab in BCC is prioritized for MCCNM students currently enrolled in a MCCNM course. No food or open beverage containers are allowed. Downloading software and unauthorized content is not allowed, nor is any kind of illegal activity. Note: students are responsible to review and follow all CSU-Pueblo ITS policies. During class, attention is to be given to the instructional activities presented by the instructor. In other words, do not surf the web, check email, or work on assignments unless so directed. Remember to back up and save your work to your network drive...local files can and will be deleted.

• defining media interactivity
• history of interactive media
• digital media convergence
• hypertext and hypermedia
• the internet/WWW
• media, literary, and cultural conventions
• authoring tools
• interface design
• usability and human factors
• social issues
• Virtual Reality