MDIA 7010 - Immersive Media Design

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

The design paradigms associated with immersive media technology are in a constant state of experimental change. Adequate design choices not only provide users with comfortable immersive technology experiences, but also have the potential to impact platform dependency and technological applicability. In this course, students will form deep contextual understanding of the physiological and technological design paradigms associated with immersive media development. Through facilitated hands-on experimentation with various platforms, software frameworks and game-engines, students will form critical analysis of existing systems of design and develop new knowledge in relation to next-generation technologies.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 7010
    Course Immersive Media Design
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description The design paradigms associated with immersive media technology are in a constant state of experimental change. Adequate design choices not only provide users with comfortable immersive technology experiences, but also have the potential to impact platform dependency and technological applicability. In this course, students will form deep contextual understanding of the physiological and technological design paradigms associated with immersive media development. Through facilitated hands-on experimentation with various platforms, software frameworks and game-engines, students will form critical analysis of existing systems of design and develop new knowledge in relation to next-generation technologies.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Steven Cook

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
    1 Identify and analyse physiological response characteristics associated with design paradigm implementation.
    2 Demonstrate comprehension via the application of context specific design terminology within immersive media technology frameworks.
    3 Critically differentiate between HMD (Head Mounted Display/Device) technologies and software in relation to design implementation.
    4 Develop and formulate a feasible design brief incorporating design paradigm understanding.
    5 Categorise the benefits/shortcomings of immersive media technology platforms from a design understanding perspective.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 3, 5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2, 4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 3, 4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    4, 5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3, 4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Due to the individual skill acquisition required, and the technical nature of the project material in this course, resources will be provided weekly for students. These resources will be in the form of current immersive design research, patents, applied techniques, and websites. Students are not only encouraged to access all resources provided, but also to foster an investigative research approach to obtaining their own resources as needs arise.
    Recommended Resources
    Due to the quickly evolving nature of immersive technologies, students will be provided with resources and readings over the duration of the course. Students are also encouraged to foster an investigative research approach towards resource acquisition depending on assignment focus.
    Online Learning
    This course makes extensive use of MyUni and external websites. All assignments are submitted via online methods. Due to the size of data required for immersive media development, it is also strongly encouraged that students have access to large personal storage devices.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures for this course are recorded and then uploaded into the university’s Echo 360 system. Tutorials and/or workshops are held in either a dedicated space or within the Napier building VR lab. Readings and other materials are provided using the Barr Smith Library Digital Resources Management Service or through externally hosted websites. Assignments and course participation may involve a mixture of individual and collaborative work.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    4 hours reading per week 48 hours per semester
    8 hours practical immersive technology usage 96 hours per semester
    4 hours workshop preparation per week 48 hours per semester
    3 hours independent research per week 36 hours per semester
    4 hours assignment preparation per week 48 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 312 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week-by-week course content is available on the MyUni site and in person. When applicable to course project material, content will also be provided through direct data transfer.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Tutorial sessions held in the dedicated spaces and VR labs form an integral part of learning in this course. Students will gain SGDE by working in a combination of whole class and smaller groups under the guidance and supervision of the Course Coordinator and academic staff. Tutorial sessions also provide an opportunity for students to receive advice and support from the academic staff coordinating the course as they complete project work.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task (relevant learning outcomes) Task Type Weighting
    Online Quizzes and Group Activities
    2, 3
    Summative; Individual; Written 15%
    Written Assignment
    1, 2, 3, 5
    Summative; Individual; Written

    35%
    Design Brief
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Summative; Individual; Written; Graphical 50%
    *Please note: this is only an estimate of the minimum expected workload for each assessment piece. As much of the assessment structure requires technical understanding, individual students may need to spend more time on unfamiliar tasks.

    Assessment Detail
    Online Quizzes and Group Activities: 15% The quizzes will represent summative understanding of the core concepts and terminology presented in lectures and tutorial sessions. Online group activities will consist of design paradigm information reflection. (1500 words equiv.)

    Written Assignment: 35% The written assignment will be submitted through MyUni and will be a reflective written piece oriented around the student's own experience with different forms of immersive technology, various VR, MR and AR experiences, and design paradigm implementation techniques. (3500 words)

    Design Brief: 50% The design brief demonstrates student knowledge acquisition in relation to design thinking for immersive technology development. Students will submit an established design brief containing all aspects of project design in this space. (4000 words)
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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