2006 Request for Proposal WORKSHEET – Higher Education HP Digital Publishing for Teaching and Learning Required Elements of Your Proposal Institutional Environment 1. Technology vision (150 words max.): Describe your campus/school/departmental vision on the role of advanced digital publishing technology in learning environments. RMIT has a commitment to building a ‘global passport’ for students. A strategic priority is to establish RMIT’s Melbourne and Vietnam campuses as twin hubs for the RMIT global network, linked and supported by high quality information and communication technology. Creating a global university requires the delivery of education services, and internationalization of our curriculum and pedagogy. This includes international experience as part of study programs. The School of Creative Media is on the cutting edge of teaching and learning across media cultures – on screen, online, on air and in print. Students produce artifacts using cross-disciplinary approaches, in a world of digital media convergence and evolving forms of narrative. It is the School’s vision that every student and faculty member has multiple opportunities to engage with advanced digital technologies, using these to stretch the boundaries and create new knowledge – to be known as global leaders in the field. 1 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University 2. Synergy (150 words max.): How will the project you’re proposing for this grant help you make a substantial contribution toward achieving the educational technology vision you described? RMIT is committed to the generation and application of new ideas, in addition to enabling learning and skills development through adaptation of technology. Within a creative knowledge network framework, the project will utilize advanced digital publishing, collaboration client software, and mobile devices – for collaborative image creation and new media production. Our focus will be on multi-disciplinary teams within and between the Vietnam and Melbourne campuses. Students will explore the potential of collaboration, for co-creation of knowledge enabled by social software applications. Students will experience new ways of working towards their ‘global passport’. Mobile devices will be used in tandem with the Distributed Learning System (Blackboard). This blended approach will extend ways in which students can collaborate outside formal learning spaces. The HP equipment will enable students to produce industry standard publications and to archive digital work in hard copy form, within a crosscultural and flexible publishing environment – a strategic advantage. Institutional and Instructional Leadership 3. Institutional leadership (150 words): Describe how you have demonstrated institutional leadership, as evidenced by 1) the adoption of your teaching methodologies, pedagogy, or curricula at your institution, 2) innovation in digital publishing practices, or 3) other tangible evidence My PhD established the strategic knowledge network model for global education. I have designed and developed curriculum in 24 courses. Internationalization was achieved through student collaborations I led for 3 digital publishing projects with colleges in Canada, Japan, Zimbabwe; and 10 projects with local, regional and global organizations: e.g. Shell, The Hague; Ogilvy PR Worldwide, Kuala Lumpur; XBRL, Boston, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Melbourne, Sydney; World Bank, Washington; International Institute for Sustainable Development; Telstra, Melbourne; EPA, Washington. 2 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University Dr Kathleen Gray, Chair, Teaching & Learning: Educational Technology Subcommittee, RMIT “I consider Fiona’s work exemplary in two respects: It goes beyond content- and transmission-based thinking about how to design e-learning and uses the technology more effectively, to provide a virtual space for collaborative learning, mentoring and project based learning. It goes beyond narrow conceptions of using technology to support distance learning, and offers an innovative mode of learning within a global knowledge network.” 4. Instructional leadership (150 words): Describe how you have demonstrated instructional leadership, as evidenced by, 1) course changes have you made, in response to student needs, that have improved student outcomes in your courses, 2) use of novel digital publishing concepts as part of your instructional practices, or 3) other tangible evidence Key achievements include facilitating projects for RMIT writing students with Canadian public relations students; and with visual communication students, Japan and graphic design students, Zimbabwe. I teach global communication and mentor faculty to create an innovative learning environment, including virtual team projects and conferences. Rex Brown, Global Customer Satisfaction Measurement Manager, IT Shell: “As a project mentor I have found the students bring mature insights into their projects as they blend innovation in virtual working with practical work problems. The course is a great incubator to allow good thinkers to stretch themselves in new ways as they apply an amazing range of technologies.” Deb Parker, student: “The network of industry contacts throughout the world that Fiona has fostered allowed me to undertake ‘real’ projects with ‘real’ clients. This experience has provided me with knowledge and competence and is proving invaluable in my endeavour to start a small business.” Project Details 5. Project Name: A brief title for your project Digital Publishing and Virtual Mobility in a Creative Knowledge Network 3 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University 6. Project executive summary (300 words max.): Provide an overview of your project in an executive summary. The project centres on “Innovations in learning – developing and piloting novel experiences for students that allow them to directly use digital publishing capabilities to acquire and analyse information, create image-based works, collaborate with other learners, and communicate their creative ideas and new understanding.” The aim of this project is to explore social collaboration, learning and digital publishing technologies, applied within distributed communities of students and faculty. Focus will be on face-to-face and online collaboration possibilities in this creative learning and production environment, in multimedia and photography undergraduate programs. We want to foster international collaboration to develop capabilities such as cross-cultural problem solving in transient, multidisciplinary, virtual teams – highly relevant to new ways of working in the creative industries. Key issues explored for digital publishing: presentation of ideas in different forms for cultural differences; colour management; and archiving digital work in hard copy form. Student teams at RMIT campuses in Vietnam and Australia will collaborate, for content design and publication of posters, e-books and e-brochures. Cascading style sheets will be used to create documents whose look and feel can be manipulated to suit different audiences and outputs (see illustration Zen Garden http://www.csszengarden.com). This is highly relevant to communication media industries in the region, especially a developing economy such as Vietnam. The activity internationalizes the curriculum, providing students with multi-disciplinary experience across national borders and time zones. Colour management is central to production. In the internet environment, colour calibration varies; with hard copy, the creator of the work has more control. Students need to learn the dynamics of these two digital publishing outputs. While colour management techniques may be presented theoretically, it is through hands-on experience that students learn the practicalities. Access to high-quality colour printers will enable students to experiment and electronically transmit digital work, for reliable hard copy and archiving. 4 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University 7. Teaching and learning issues (250 words max.): Describe the fundamental learning and teaching issues that the project addresses (i.e. Why is this project important for your students and instructors?) RMIT’s Strategic Plan focuses on industry relevant learning. Our School’s Teaching and Learning Strategy, and this project, support extension of the studio model in a distributed environment, to reflect industry trends in digital media convergence. Industry relevant learning includes new ways of working in transient, multidisciplinary teams, which will be a focus of the project. With a multi-disciplinary multimedia degree delivered at 2 international campuses, students can experience collaborative projects enabled by ICTs. This University degree spans computer science, design, engineering and business schools. Multi-disciplinary collaboration will be extended and enriched in the project by including photography students. Learning activities will include creation of storyboards sent to peers in Vietnam or Australia; in turn, international peers will interpret the visual ‘stories’ in words. Interpretations will be tested for mutual understanding. This activity is powerful and has been trialed with students in Japan and Australia. The experiment indicated that shared vocabularies of visual icons exist as phenomena, relevant to industries such as advertising. Photography students will also generate images that Vietnamese students design into e-brochures and posters, which can be manipulated for colour management on screen and in print. Students will be actively engaged in co-production of knowledge relevant to industry. They will learn how to do storyboards; contribute to workflow; communicate and collaborate in virtual teams; and produce innovative digital publishing outcomes. Graduate capabilities will be developed in problem solving and team work through ‘virtual mobility’. Students will then be able to transfer these capabilities to new digital publishing projects. 5 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University 8. Goals, objectives and outcomes (250 words max.): Describe the project goals, objectives, and anticipated outcomes from the perspective of impact on student learning Internationalized curriculum and student experience is one of the key strategic priorities of RMIT University, along with graduate capabilities that prepare students for personal, community and professional life. This project will provide students with a learning experience that delivers on these priorities by exposing them to real-life learning and social experiences in a modern and global context. The goal is for students and staff across the network to engage and innovate with digital technologies in 3 courses: Narrative for Multimedia; Content Design Project; and Imaging Practice 3. 3 key objectives for project: create a constructivist learning environment, specifically by designing authentic and integrated learning activities in a real project with real solutions create a distributed constructionist learning environment, specifically so that students co-design and co-construct artifacts to express their ideas transform teaching and learning by connecting students through ‘virtual mobility’ for creative digital publishing in multiple media Within this framework, students will be encouraged to experiment with visual communication to transcend language. They will experience new workflow for web-to-print, including technical and social challenges in the distributed environment. Students will improve their digital publishing knowledge and skills for ongoing coursework and employment. Our creative students may also discover process and production possibilities we have not yet imagined. This is particularly relevant to the students’ learning via ‘virtual mobility’ integrated with face-to-face experience. The project will inform suggested best practice including success criteria for knowledge production, with potential application for other international higher education contexts and relevance to the creative industries. 6 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University 9. Measures (250 words max.): What indicators of advancement in student learning will be measured and how will they be documented? We want to explore what learning, new practice and innovation occurs in new media production within a creative and distributed knowledge network. This will be an action research project incorporating formative evaluation; participant observation and reflective practice; and action research cyclical interpretation (planning, action, observation, critical reflection). Printing choices are currently limited and our students have to outsource large format printing. We will begin by testing output on existing equipment. At the end of the project we will test output again, using the industry-standard suite of equipment, to create a ‘before’ and ‘after’ production quality comparison. A survey will also be conducted with students at the start of the project to establish a baseline of their knowledge and skills. Another student survey will be performed at the end of the new learning activities, to draw out student reflection on their own learning. Focus groups will be held with students and faculty during the lifecycle of the project, to elicit ideas, plan intervention and evaluate learning. Samples of student work will be housed within the website we create for the project. Visual diaries and blogs will be used. Students’ learning will be evident in their final individual and collaborative output of e-books generated from storyboard experiments, and e-brochures and posters following the photographic brief. We will exhibit student work with invitation to HP and others e.g. advertising, photography, for professional critique. Investigators will reflect to draw out our learning about the students’ learning. This will be captured in presentations and publications. 7 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University 10. Project timeline: Describe the project timeline (first 18 months) and milestones Phase 1, July to Dec 2006 – fieldwork, establishing a baseline, preparation Phase 2, Feb to June 2007 – intervention and cross-case analysis Phase 3, July to Dec 2007 – reflection and modification The outcomes of the project will be used to help benchmark and improve practice in internationalizing digital publishing curriculum, as well as providing immediate benefit to students through deploying an action research methodology. PHASE 1: Fieldwork – build understanding of best practice in curriculum deployment with local academic teams; share and generate ideas on the implications of program improvement approaches specific to the studio model; plan and prepare for international teams. Main outcomes of Phase 1: 6 short case studies documented, to establish a baseline of knowledge in reconciling the studio model with creative industry practice approaches, program improvement cycles, and contemporary discourse around teaching and learning Scholarly paper and presentation Learning environment created for Phase 2, international teams – people, technology, activities, mentoring PHASE 2: Intervention and cross-case analysis – virtual team projects deployed for international teams; initial and final surveys of students; focus groups; exhibition of student work for professional critique; critical analysis of pilot Main outcomes of Phase 2: Learning environment trialed for international teams Website published – online showcase of project Scholarly paper and presentation Engagement model designed 8 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University PHASE 3: Reflection – critical analysis and evaluation of collaboration for the co-creation of knowledge in digital publishing, enabled by social software applications and virtual mobility Modification – refinement of engagement model for iterative practice Main outcomes of Phase 3: 2 case studies documented Engagement model refined Scholarly paper and presentation 11. Technology integration (250 words max.): Describe how you plan to use the granted HP products to support the goals of your project and how the granted HP technology will contribute to resolving the fundamental problem or opportunity this project addresses The goal and opportunity is for students and faculty to engage and innovate with digital technologies in 3 courses in the BDesign (Multimedia Systems) and BA (Photography), forming a creative international knowledge network. The HP products will help us to build on experience gained in RMIT’s earlier HP Mobile Technology for Teaching initiative, 2004, in which the multimedia program participated. The new project will extend that experience to a specific digital publishing and international context, with the photography program included for different multi-disciplinary learning. The photography degree has been an early adopter of digital technology. Over the past 5 years we have changed the curriculum from analogue technology to digital. RMIT photography has been a leader in this digital curriculum within Universities around the world. This is evidenced by the adoption of our curriculum through the Essential Skills Series written by our faculty. The series has been taken up and is being taught in over 50 universities and colleges in Europe and the US, with translations into languages e.g. Spanish, Mandarin, Romanian. Building on this curriculum expertise, the project will enrich our students’ experience of international collaboration and ‘virtual mobility’ for digital publishing. Students will investigate impacts of technological processes on maintenance of colour integrity, and web-to-print output. 9 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University Colour management will be strengthened by access to the HP equipment: to support colour rendition accuracy; large format poster presentations; page design; electronic transmission of images drawn on Tablet PC; wall or screen projection; scanning and transmitting; image capture and digital manipulation. Project Context 12. Course(s) Impacted (100 words max.): Describe the course or courses that will be impacted by this project and the department(s) in which the course(s) resides. The 3 courses impacted are in the School of Creative Media – spanning Vietnam and Australian campuses for the cross-School multimedia degree; and photography. Narrative for Multimedia: This course focuses on storyboarding, which is an essential skill for multimedia production. Hypertext narrative, using cascading style sheets, is also explored in the context of digital publishing. Content Design Project: Small teams work on creation and design of content, accessible through a variety of digital publishing media e.g. mobile phones, computers, print. Imaging Practice 3: This team-based course focuses on global, cultural, social and industry-related visual contexts. Students put into practice their advanced IT and digital manipulation skills. 10 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University 13. Faculty (25 words max.): How many professors/faculty will be directly involved in this project? Five faculty will lead the coursework and student coordination aspects of the project. All will be involved in team teaching and project facilitation. 14. Students (25 words max.): Approximately how many students will be impacted during the first full year of this pilot project implementation? Multimedia: 30 students in Vietnam, 30 in Melbourne. Photography: 40 students in Melbourne. Another 300 students impacted plus potential in fashion, communication design, computer science. Project Support and Visibility 15. Campus involvement (200 words max.): How will your campus educational technology and instructional leaders be involved in this project? What other departments or functions, if any, will provide support to the project? If your campus is committing matching funds, please describe. The Vice Chancellor is committed to global and industry relevant learning, with special interest in ‘virtual mobility’ and our Vietnam campus. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) is responsible for Teaching and Learning strategic direction setting. FUNDING: additional equipment: AU$12,500 tablet PCs, portable media players, digital camera (students Vietnam); portable media players (students Melbourne) travel: AU$2,500 intensive coaching (faculty Vietnam) PORTFOLIO FUNDING: equipment: AU$4,000 tablet PC, portable media player (project team) TOTAL RMIT: AU$19,000, plus part-time project officer, AU$15,000 11 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University Manager of the RMIT Distributed Learning System, and Executive Director of Information Technology Services will facilitate overall infrastructure, with implementation guidance from our Portfolio Academic Director IT. RMIT Educational Media Group Manager will provide advice and support in multimedia resources and tools, and copyright management. Information Technology Services will provide expertise and support for use of the Distributed Learning System, plus support of mobile devices and wireless network. RMIT’s Learning and Teaching Development Group will provide pedagogical support for the project, conducted under the auspices of the RMIT University Policy and Programs Committee. Its Educational Technology Advisory Group will act as the project reference group. One Chief Investigator is Portfolio Dean, Academic Development, responsible for teaching and learning strategy and implementation. 16. Project visibility (100 words max.): Please describe your interest in and method for developing visibility for the project on your campus and beyond (publications and presentations at academic events, industry events, etc.). The project results will be disseminated internally through regular teaching and learning forums, workshops and seminars across RMIT. A website will be created to document project outcomes and student learning. On completion of the project, the team will mentor another program in the University to integrate digital technologies and share best practice. External publication will include national and international journals and conference proceedings, including ASCILITE (Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education), ICCE (International Conference on Computers in Education), International Conference on Learning. The international EDUCAUSE conference would be ideal to present the project findings in 2008. 12 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University 17. Please provide the following contact details: Principal Investigator: Dr J Fiona Peterson, Director of Learning & Teaching, School of Creative Media RMIT University, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, Vic 3001, Australia. Phone +61 3 9925 9782, Fax +61 3 9925 2474, fiona.peterson@rmit.edu.au Role on project: Principal Investigator and Project Manager Secondary Contact: Dr Marsha Berry, Design Coordinator, Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Systems), School of Creative Media RMIT University, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, Vic 3001, Australia. Phone +61 3 9925 2592, Fax +61 3 9925 2474, marsha.berry@rmit.edu.au Role on project: Chief Investigator Additional Team members: Associate Professor Barbara de la Harpe, PhD, Dean Academic Development, Design & Social Context, RMIT University Role on project: Chief Investigator barbara.delaharpe@rmit.edu.au Les Horvat, Director of Programs, Higher Education; and Senior Lecturer, BA Photography; School of Creative Media, RMIT University Role on project: Researcher les.horvat@rmit.edu.au Pauline Anastasiou, Lecturer, BA Photography, School of Creative Media, RMIT University Role on project: Researcher pauline.anastasiou@rmit.edu.au Associate Professor James McGovern, Manager, Distributed Learning System, RMIT University Role on project: Educational technology consultant jim.mcgovern@rmit.edu.au Allan Morris, Executive Director, Information Technology Services, RMIT University Role on project: Educational technology consultant allan.morris@rmit.edu.au John Benwell, Academic Director IT, Design and Social Context, RMIT University Role on project: Educational technology support john.benwell@rmit.edu.au Amgad Louka, Manager, Educational Media Group, RMIT University Role on project: Multimedia resources, tools and copyright management amgad.louka@rmit.edu.au 13 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University Institution Name: School of Creative Media, RMIT University phone +61 3 9925 9782, fax +61 3 9925 2474 Shipping Instructions: John Benwell, Academic Director IT Design and Social Context Building 8, level 7, room 66 RMIT University 124 La Trobe Street Melbourne, Vic 3000 Australia RMIT University – ABN 49 781 030 034 14 2006 Proposal – HP Digital Publishing for University Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Dr Fiona Peterson, School of Creative Media, RMIT University