Class Projects: Authoring a iBook about Language, Texts, and
Technology
The Approach
“Language, Texts, and Technology” aims to educate you about the relationships among
three concepts: language, texts, and technology. It is understood in this context (since
DTC 375 is a Core 1 course for a digital media program) that these three concepts refer
specifically to computer language, computer-based texts, and computer technology.
Therefore, it stands to reason that your projects will be closely connected to objects
associated with computers. Three contemporary tools that are easy to produce and
provides good potential for intellectual and creative expression are WordPress, iBook.
And Prezi. Thus, your class projects will center on the production of these objects and
will reflects what you have learned in the course. We are setting aside most Fridays, for
a hands-on workshops and studio time. You are required to be present on those days
even if you know how to use these tools.
Project 1: A Philosophical Grounding for the Course
You will work with Word Press first since it is a popular CMS that you should know how
to manipulate. This section of your WP site will be centered on the philosophical
grounding for the course and covers the first book we are reading, Douglas Rushkoff’s
Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age.
Included in your chapter should be the following components:
 50-word abstract of the book
 100-word bio about the author (with two cited sources, both can be from online
sources)
 100-word summary for each of the 10 chapters
 Appropriate multimedia that relates to the book and/or concepts presented in
the book (e.g. slide show, video, animation, infographic, images, sound file)
 250-word reflection: What did you learn from the readings that you did not
know? How has this information changed the way you thought about that
topic/issue?
Class production days: August 23, 30, September 6, 13
Due: At the end of class on September 13
Project 2: Technology
Chapter two focuses on “technology” with the history of computing, using Paul Ceruzzi’s
book, Computing: A Concise History, as your main reference. This portion of the course
aims to provide you with a strong understanding of how we have arrived in 2013 in this
stage of computing, who the major players were that forged this trail, and what the
terms you should know in order to be in control of your computing environment, as
Rushkoff suggests. You will be able to experiment with iBook for this project. You may
also continue to use Word Press.
Included in your chapter should be the following components:
 10 of the terms found in the Glossary of Terms and People (http://dtcwsuv.org/375/glossary.docx)
 50-word abstract of the book
 100-bio about the author (with two cited sources, both can be from online
sources)
 Appropriate multimedia that relates to the book and/or concepts presented in
the book (e.g. slide show, video, animation, infographic, images, sound file)
 250-word reflection: What did you learn from the readings that you did not
know? How has this information changed the way you thought about that
topic/issue?
Class production days: September 20, 27 and 30
Due: At the beginning of class on October 2
If you have decided to use iBook, I will upload your book on my iPad for grading
purposes; you can also save a copy as a PDF for yourself if you do not have access to an
iPad. If you have chosen to continue with Word Press, I will evaluate your work online.
Project 3: Texts
Chapter three moves into a discussion of “texts” with N. Katherine Hayles’ article, “Print
Is Flat, Code Is Deep.” We will also look at the model I prepared about “Mediums,”
suggested by Hayles in this essay and elsewhere in her work. We will add to this model
a section about mobile media. You should come away from this study with a better idea
of how the medium affects the message, which, in turn, will help you become better
developers/creators/authors of digital media objects.
Included in your chapter should be the following components:
 10 of the terms found in the Glossary of Terms (http://dtcwsuv.org/375/glossary.docx)
 50-word abstract of the article
 100-bio about the author (with two cited sources, both can be from online
sources)
 Appropriate multimedia that relates to the book and/or concepts presented in
the book (e.g. slide show, video, animation, infographic, images, sound file)
 “Mediums” handout with your addition of mobile media to it

250-word reflection: What did you learn from the readings that you did not
know? How has this information changed the way you thought about that
topic/issue?
Class production day: October 4
Due: At the beginning of class on October 7
If you have decided to iBook, I will upload your book on my iPad for grading purposes;
you can also save a copy as a PDF for yourself if you do not have access to an iPad. If
you have chosen to continue with Word Press or Prezi, I will evaluate your work online.
Project 4: Language
Thinking and language are linked activities of mind. This portion of the course,
therefore, shifts to a discussion of this relationship, especially as it plays out in digital
media in contemporary culture, discussed in depth by Nick Montfort et al in 10 Print
Chr$(205.5+RND(1)); : Goto 10.
Included in your chapter should be the following components:
 50-word abstract of the book
 100-bio about the main author (with two cited sources, both can be from online
sources); you should also choose one of the other authors and create a bio for
her or him
 100-word summary for each of the chapters
 Appropriate multimedia that relates to the book and/or concepts presented in
the book (e.g. slide show, video, animation, infographic, images, sound file)
 250-word reflection: What did you learn from the readings that you did not
know? How has this information changed the way you thought about that
topic/issue?
Class production days: November 1, 4, 6, 8
Due: At the beginning of class on November 11
I will upload your book on my iPad for grading purposes; you can also save a copy as a
PDF for yourself if you do not have access to an iPad.
Project 5: Postscript
We end the course with several chapters from N. Katherine Hayles’ How We Think,
which encapsulates the notion of language, texts, and technology well.
Included in your chapter should be the following components:
 10 of the terms found in the Glossary of Terms (http://dtcwsuv.org/375/glossary.docx)
 50-word abstract of the book




100-bio about the author (with two cited sources, both can be from online
sources)
100-word summary for each of the six chapters
Appropriate multimedia that relates to the book and/or concepts presented in
the book (e.g. slide show, video, animation, infographic, images, sound file)
250-word reflection: What did you learn from the readings that you did not
know? How has this information changed the way you thought about that
topic/issue?
Class production days: November 15, 29
Due: At the end of class on December 4.
If you have decided to use iBook, I will upload your book on my iPad for grading
purposes; you can also save a copy as a PDF for yourself if you do not have access to an
iPad. If you have chosen to continue with Word Press, I will evaluate your work online.