curriculum creative technology

from a new media perspective

Anton Eliëns

abstract In this brief report an outline is given of how a first year curriculum of creative technology may look like, proceeding from the assumption that equal attential is given to the constituting subdisciplines of creative technology, that is computer science, new media, smart technology, mathematics and industrial design, and that a substantial part of the curriculum is devoted to integrative creative applications.
status: 18/2/08 -- for discussion

introduction

Summarizing, we may formulate the educational targets of the creative technology curriculim as follows:

collection(s) / argument(s) / fragment(s) / note(s) / list(s) / document(s)

target(s) -- creative technology

from a new media perspective: track(s)

skill(s) -- computing, mathematics, simulation, technology
knowledge --computer & software architecture, human factors
theory -- systems engineering, media & communication
experience(s) -- project(s), deployment in social context
attitude -- initiative, creative, involved

The scope of the curriculum is also determined by the contribution of what may be regarded the constituting (sub) disciplines of creative technology:

track(s)


   CS -- computer science
   NM -- new media
   ST -- smart technology
   MA -- mathematics
   DE -- design
  
   CA -- creative applications

with creative applications as an essential integrative element in the curriculum.

creative technology -- foundation(s)

When each of the sub-disciplines takes an equal share in the first year, which is meant to lay the foundations for further specialisations, it seems fair to devoted 9 credits to each, leaving a total of 15 credits for creative applications. An indication of how the elements for each track could be is given below.

course(s)

course credits description

CS1 3 computer & network architecture(s)

CS2 6 programming fundamental(s) -- C++/Java

NM1 3 web technology (1) -- html, javascript. css

NM2 6 animation in 2D

ST1 3 smart technology (1) -- smart systems

ST2 6 smart technology (2) -- sensor design & instrumentation

MA1 6 mathematics essentials with matlab

MA2 3 the (he)art of mathematics

DE1 6 drawing & modeling

DE2 3 human factors in design

CA1 3 we create identity

CA2 6 living & working tomorrow

CA3 6 have fun and play!

course	credits	description
CS1	3	computer & network architecture(s)
CS2	6	programming fundamental(s) -- C++/Java
NM1	3	web technology (1) -- html, javascript. css
NM2	6	animation in 2D
ST1	3	smart technology (1) -- smart systems
ST2	6	smart technology (2) -- sensor design & instrumentation
MA1	6	mathematics essentials with matlab
MA2	3	the (he)art of mathematics
DE1	6	drawing & modeling
DE2	3	human factors in design
CA1	3	we create identity
CA2	6	living & working tomorrow
CA3	6	have fun and play!

Naturally, each of the tracks or sub-disciplines may take responsibility for the details of the courses.

first year -- curriculum

As a first proposal for distributing the courses over the period of the first year, we may think of:

curriculum

period course(s)

1 CA1/CS1 introduction

2 MA1 mathematical skills

3 NM1/ST1 introduction specialisation(s)

4 DE1 industrial design

5 CA2 living & working tomorrow

6 NM2/ST2 specialisation(s)

7 NM2/ST2 continued

8 MA2/DE2 mathematics & design

9 CS2 programming fundamentals

10 CA3 have fun and play!

period	course(s)
1	CA1/CS1	introduction
2	MA1	mathematical skills
3	NM1/ST1	introduction specialisation(s)
4	DE1	industrial design
5	CA2	living & working tomorrow
6	NM2/ST2	specialisation(s)
7	NM2/ST2	continued
8	MA2/DE2	mathematics & design
9	CS2	programming fundamentals
10	CA3	have fun and play!

This proposal stems from the wish to have a proper alteration between technical/disciplinary courses and introductory/explorative courses. It also does explicitly not exclude mutual connections between the various tracks, that is topics and subjects that are dealt with commonly, from different perspectives.

follow up -- new media & smart technology

In later years, students will choose for a specialisation in aither the new media or smart technology track. However, from a new media perspective, it should be clear that both in the computing track as well as the creative applications track, a close relation with smart technology might be desirable.

Additional courses in computing and new media will include:

specialisation(s)

course credits description

CS3 6 advanced programming -- idoms, APIs

NM3 3 web technology (2) -- php, web services

NM4 6 3D virtual environments -- x3d/vrml

CA2 6 living & working tomorrow (advanced)

course	credits	description
CS3	6	advanced programming -- idoms, APIs
NM3	3	web technology (2) -- php, web services
NM4	6	3D virtual environments -- x3d/vrml
CA2	6	living & working tomorrow (advanced)

Given the domain of creative technology we envision an advanced project living & working tomorrow, in close cooperation with smart technology.

conclusion(s)

We have sketched a proposal for the first year creative technology curriculum, based on an equal share of tracks and sub-disciplines, as a reference for discussing courses and topics in the first year. It must be emphasised, again, that the integrative courses/projects creative applications are essential, not only to train the individual students in applying their skills and knowledge, but equally important to promote a collective identity of creative technology students in collaborative projects.

[] readme new(s) masterclass workshop(s) CA1 CA2 CA3 CA4 CA5 project(s) NM1 NM2 NM3 NM4 NM5 resource(s) _

/ .

curriculum creative technology

from a new media perspective

introduction

collection(s) / argument(s) / fragment(s) / note(s) / list(s) / document(s)

target(s) -- creative technology

from a new media perspective: track(s)

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creative technology -- foundation(s)

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first year -- curriculum

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follow up -- new media & smart technology

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conclusion(s)