What is New Media and Learning Science Training?

New Media and Learning Science Training is a bridge in between social, psychological, pedagogical, and latest technological innovations, and implementations aimed at improving education. And is the study of human learning processes and the development of cutting-edge multimedia educational technology.

New Media

The term "new media" is not easy to define. Many guides and glossaries do not even attempt a definition. New media encompasses a constantly growing set of new technologies and skills. It changes its definition on an almost hourly basis.

New media can be said to include the entire range of computer-based or computer-enhanced communication. Specifically, new media includes web sites, e-mail, Internet telephony, CD-ROM, DVD, digital radio and television, streaming audio and video, interactive multimedia presentations, e-books, digital music presentation and distribution, computer animation and illustration, video games, virtual reality, computer artistry . . . the list is constantly growing.

Perhaps the most important theme in new media is convergence. Video, audio, and text have become computer applications and are combining in ways never possible before. New media lies at the crossroads of digital technology and traditional media like newspapers, radio, and television.

New and old media skills often overlap and combine into new, diverse skill sets. New media professionals need to have a solid footing in not only computer technologies, but also in all older media styles that came before. The new breed of communicator not only has to be a good writer, but a good computer programmer; not only a talented artist with a brush, but also a talented artist with a computer tablet, keyboard, and mouse. And every new media professional needs to be skilled at planning and project management.

The New Media program is proposed to fill the hole between the teaching of "traditional" media skills, like journalism and art, and computer based media skills. No single "classical" discipline in current universalities academies is able to address the convergence of multiple media on the world's computer screens. So a new curriculum was needed to bridge the gap between converging disciplines and create a new, dynamic, multidisciplinary area of study.

Created out of a cooperative effort between the well established and well respected programs of some universities, Our New Media strives to teach the underlying foundation in artistic and technical theory while teaching the new and evolving skill set that is needed in the fast-paced world of computer-based media technology. The forms of human communication we work with changes regularly, but the theory behind human communication stays the same. New Media is committed to producing professionals that adapt and excel in a discipline that changes every day.
 
Learning Sciences

Learning Science is the analysis of behavior, computer science, neurobiology, cognitive science, and instructional systems design, with the right delivery technology to best solve problems of human learning.

New Media Curricula Mission and Programs

Mission of New Media Curricula

New Media courses will provide students with an underlying foundation on artistic and technical theory and techniques, as well as an understanding of the multimedia production process, the ability to communicate, create, cooperate, and problem solve. Software changes but theory remains constant; students must not be wedded to particular tools but must acquire a fundamental creative skill set that permits them to adapt to new technology and market changes.

New Media courses will provide project-based team learning assignments to develop core competencies in problem solving, creativity, communicating, and knowledge of the production process and understanding of interactivity.

New Media courses will provide industry-to-school partnerships that will link real world experience to the classroom. Students will learn the roles of various team members and how individuals contribute to the whole team effort.

New Media courses in basic business and entrepreneurial skills will prepare students for self-managed, flexible careers.

New Media courses will assist students in portfolio development, vital to modern careers that de-emphasize traditional resumes and favor outsourced and freelance work.

Students graduating with New Media degrees will be creative thinkers who possess broad-based technical and artistic skills. They will have experience working as part of creative teams. They will be computer-literate with advanced visual, written, and aural communication skills.

Finally, New Media will be able to address immediate occupational needs with the flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing industry trends. New Media will demonstrate a long-term capacity for producing high-end content developers, artists, and programmers.