Week-by-Week Schedule |
Week One | |
28 August | Interaction Introduction to class: boundless multimedia In-class exercises: a) text b) clicks |
For next class | Complete expertise self-assessment.
Research: Writing and Multimedia. If you have not activated your GMU Memo account, please do so and write your password down somewhere safe. We'll use these accounts to exchange work in class. |
30 August | Clear, Direct, Short, Dazzling
Discussion of research assignment In-class writing exercises a) The Vital Verb b) Editing Lincoln |
For next class | Research: Over the week, read the main news stories (just one or two) in the New York Times or The Washington Post (broadsheet newspapers) and the New York Post (a tabloid). What kinds of openings or leads does each use? What are the differences between the broadsheet and the tabloid treatment of the same story? Bring in an example from each paper of a good opening or lead. |
Week Two | |
4 September | Writing the Lead In-class Exercise: Leading the reader (postponed) |
For next class | Read: Garrand, Writing for Multimedia (hereafter
Multimedia), chapters 1 & 2 (pp. 3 - 25)& (very
short) chapter 4 (pp. 37 - 39). The concepts in these chapters
will help you to analyze Myst and to create your major interactive
assignments. Write: Begin mini-assignment #1. |
6 September | Delectable Detail In-class Exercise: a) Leading the reader b) Choosing the detail |
For next class | Write: Complete mini-assignment #1 |
Week Three | |
11 September | Due: Mini-assignment #1: 300-word article
Creating Interaction |
For next class | Read: Multimedia, Chapter 3. Review the earlier chapters you have read and your Myst notes. You will need to use the concepts and ideas drawn from your reading and initial analyses of the game to help you in the next two classes. |
13 September | We meet in NCC Conference Room for this class
Interactivity Workshop |
For next class | Research: Each group should set up an e-mail list
and exchange information about interests, skills, goals for this course
and ideas for the project. File all the information you receive from your
group and bring it along to class. We shall use that information in the
next two classes. Read: Multimedia, Chapter 5 |
Week Four | |
18 September | We meet in NCC Conference Room for this class
Interactivity Workshop |
For next class | Write: (Group): Pitch/proposal for multimedia group
project Research: Research: Listen to All Things Considered and/or Morning Edition on NPR (available daily on WAMU - 88.5 FM and WETA - 90-9 FM and online (current and archive issues) at NPR. Concentrate on those stories that 'tell a story' and use interview material from participants. Note down the different elements in this kind of audio story. For example, what is the purpose of the commentary from the reporter? And what do the direct voices of those interviewed for the story contribute? If you want to examine British radio for a change, listen to The World Today from the BBC's World Service and ask the same questions. Think about how formal or informal the commentary is, too. |
20 September | Due (Group): Pitch/proposal for multimedia group project
Hearing Voices (and why they are important) |
For next class | Write: (Group) Revised Pitch/proposal Read: Multimedia, Chapters 7 & 8. Think about the relationship between the writing principles adumbrated in this chapter, and those on which you have already concentrated. Review Flowcharting, etc. |
Week Five | |
25 September | Due: (Group) Revised Group Pitch/proposal
Information Structure |
For next class | Write: Mini-assignment #2: (short) audio script. Sample script format |
27 September | Due: (Individual) Mini-assignment #2: (short) audio script
Adding the Visual |
For next class | Read: Multimedia, Chapters 12 & 14 |
Week Six | |
2 October | Adding the Visual II In-class exercise: reconstructing a script cont'd |
For next class | Write: View and take notes on the footage for mini-assignment #3. Itemize the main elements of the story as you see them (no more than six or seven main points!). |
4 October | Multiple Elements In-class workshop on working with multiple media |
For next class | Write: Mini-assignment
#3 (short) video script. Have a great Columbus Day holiday Read: Multimedia, Chapter 10 |
Week Seven | |
9 October | Columbus Day Holiday |
For next class | Columbus Day Holiday |
11 October | Due: Mini-assignment #3: (short) video script
Writing in Three Dimensions |
For next class | Read: Multimedia, Chapters 15 & 16 Research: Find one piece of instructional multimedia on the web or on a CD-ROM. Analyze the structure and form of the piece, using the concepts introduced in the Multimedia readings. Bring your notes, the URL of the piece (or the CD-ROM) to class. Be prepared to talk to your group about what you have found. Note: a) kids' games can be a lot of fun b) if you choose to use a CD-ROM, choose a title that does not require installation. |
Week Eight | |
16 October | Interacting to learn |
For next class | Write: Begin draft of group treatment for group multimedia project and bring to class on Tuesday, 23rd October |
18 October | Conceptualizing Interaction In-class exercises |
For next class | Write (Group): Treatment for multimedia group script. |
Week Nine | |
23 October | Due (Group): Treatment for multimedia
group script
Conceptualizing Interaction |
For next class | Research: Complete in-class exercise
(if necessary) Read (in preparation for conceptualizing multimedia script #2): Multimedia, Chapters 18 & 19. You should be very familiar with the vocabulary of story structure and of narrative architecture by next week. Review also you Myst notes. |
25 October | Clear, Direct, Short, Dazzling (Part
Two) In-class exercises: a) Precision b) Scene Descriptions |
For next class | Write: Multimedia Script #1: Instructional Multimedia |
Week Ten | |
30 October | Due: Multimedia Script #1: Instructional
Multimedia
Telling Real Stories |
For next class | Research: Choose a TV ad. available online. Choose one which you really enjoy and analyze its structure. Identify exposition, conflict, climax and resolution. |
1 November | Architecture of the Narrative In-class exercises |
For next class | Read: Multimedia, Chapters 21 & 22. Pay
particular attention to the Establishing Characters, Plot Points and
Conflicts segment of Chapter 22 (begins on p. 269) Write: Proposal for Multimedia Script #2: Narrative Multimedia. Use the concepts in the last two sets of readings to create a dynamic and convincing proposal |
Week Eleven | |
6 November | Due: Proposal for Multimedia
Script #2:
Narrative Multimedia
Experiential Learning (extra credit) |
For next class | Read: Multimedia, Chapters 23 & 25 |
8 November | Story Analysis The Structure of Narrative: Sit-Coms, Soaps and Prime-Time Drama: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How (again!) |
For next class | Write: Treatment for Multimedia Script #2 (optional for extra credit); Create a visual representation (outline, flow-chart, etc.) of the architecture of your group project (not optional). Bring to class next Tuesday |
Week Twelve | |
13 November | Due (optional): Treatment for
Multimedia Script #2
Architecture of Interaction |
For next class | Group: Work on group multimedia scripts |
15 November | Workshop Group Multimedia Scripts |
For next class | Group: Work on group multimedia scripts |
Week Thirteen | |
20 November | Workshop Group Multimedia Scripts |
For next class | Write: (Group) Multimedia group project script |
22 November | Thanksgiving |
For next class | Thanksgiving |
Week Fourteen | |
27 November | Due (Group): Multimedia group script
Workshop |
For next class | Write: Work on Multimedia Script #2: Narrative Multimedia |
29 November | Workshop Troubleshoot Multimedia Script #2 |
For next class | Write: Complete Multimedia Script #2 |
Week Fifteen | |
4 December | Due: Multimedia
Script #2: Narrative Multimedia
Group Project Work |
For next class | Group: Work on group projects |
6 December |
*Project Launches*
(Group multimedia script project) Valedictions |
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