Getting Started
Table of Contents:
Course Overview
Tools and Resources
Student Success Tips
Methods of Instruction/Learning Structure
Course Materials and Links
Meet Your Professor: JJ Higgins
Introduce Yourself to the Class
Begin First Learning Lesson
Course Overview
The optical (and sound) image in attentive recognition does not extend into
movement, but enters into relation with a ‘recollection-image’ that it calls up […]
what would enter into relation would be the real and the imaginary, the physical
and the mental, the objective and the subjective, description and narration, the
actual and the virtual.
Gilles Deleuze, Cinema 2: The Time-Image (New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005), p 44.
This class, ART 6933 Digital Video, is an online studio art class designed for students in the online art
education MA program that students take to fulfill the studio requirement for their degree. This seminar
invites you to explore the potential of digital video. You will learn about how to create video art in a variety
of contexts and how to be resourceful using a medium that generally involves high-end often, expensive
equipment. Topics include stop motion animation, sequential art, postproduction, sound, social media,
activism documentary. The emphasis will be on the conceptual and experimental, rather than conventional
narratives. As part of the studio component for this course, you will also read theoretical texts associated
with the practice of video art and screen online videos that contextualize the work of this course with in a
contemporary art milieu. We will read and screen selections by Susan Sontag, Michael Berger, Marshall
McLuhan, and even Lady Gaga to name a few.
In this class we will simultaneously strive towards the development of experiential multisensory learning
and critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is the art of thinking about thinking while thinking in order to
make thinking better. It involves three interwoven phases: it analyzes thinking, it evaluates thinking, and it
improves thinking. Your ability to explore issues and hone your critical and creative skills will be valuable
for success with your future research interests. Experiential multisensory is learning by action or “doing”
with the goal of not only connecting critical thinking to studio practice, but also as a way to cultivate
“feeling” or affect into your work and your teaching.
To accomplish this goal, I need you to make a commitment of quality time and effort each week to the
course and your colleagues (on average, I would expect you to spend a minimum of six hours on one of our
course learning sites each week). It is important that you approach both the art projects and readings with
an open mind. As this is a studio art course, investing time and effort into the experiments, collaborative
work and art projects are critical to your success in this class.
"Our culture has evacuated the place of contemplation. There no longer exists any place officially
dedicated to subjective experience in our culture. Art provides it."
Bill Viola--Five Angels for the Millennium (2001)
I also need you to think critically and creatively to build upon your thinking and the thinking of others.
These skills will help you all to become a professional learning community that continues to function
beyond this course and program.
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Tools and Resources
Textbook and Materials:
Readings and Learning Resources
The readings for ART 6933 are on listed within each lesson, as well as in the Course Schedule. You will
not be required to purchase a physical textbook for this course. Websites, articles, images, audio recordings,
videos, and other materials will be assigned and provided to you throughout the course (listed within each
lesson, as well as in the Course Schedule). You will be required to have a subscription to lynda.com for the
2 month duration of the course at $25.00/month. What is great about this is that you will have access to
tutorials not only relevant to this class, but to technology learning in general. You will be assigned specific
tutorials each week.
To subscribe to lynda.com:
https://www.lynda.com/home/Registration/ConsumerRegistrationStep1.aspx?bnr=topsubbtn_newsite
Technology
The technology requirements for this class are threefold. First, you must have the technology necessary to
connect to and use e-Learning in Sakai. Then, you need the means to purchase (when necessary), download
and use the software necessary for completing the studio art assignments or experiments.
Technology for e-Learning and Sakai
You should have no problem connecting to and using e-Learning in Sakai If you have a compatible browser
and internet connection (preferably a broadband connection such as DSL or cable). The officially
recommended requirements for e-Learning in Sakai are:
 A fully updated and compatible browser. Currently, on Windows based PCs, Sakai
performs best using Firefox 3.x, or Internet Explorer 7.x or 8.x. For Mac users, Firefox
3.0 and Safari 4.x will work. Opera, Chrome and other browsers are not recommended
for use with e-Learning in Sakai.
This course will utilize a variety of technologies and multimedia. To complete the activities in this course
and to access course content, please verify that you have the following technologies and plug-ins available:
Examples are provided below…
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Browser Plug-ins – Windows Media Player (or Flip4Mac if you use a Mac), QuickTime,
Flash, Shockwave, Adobe Reader, and Java.
Audio Speakers and/or Headset - Some multimedia presentations contain audio content.
Microsoft Word – For submission of your writing assignments.
Email – To contact your faculty.
Technical Support Information for e-Learning:
 Help Desk: http://helpdesk.ufl.edu/ (great info here and a variety of help options)
 Email: helpdesk@ufl.edu
 Phone: (352) 392-HELP (4357)
 Operating hours: http://helpdesk.ufl.edu/hours.php
NOTE: University of Florida will NEVER ask or email you for your GatorLink password.
A complete list of the required hardware and software can be found at
http://education.arts.ufl.edu/computer-requirements/.
Software/Hardware for Making and Showing Art
As this is a studio art course, you will create works of art and then present them on YouTube for comment
and a grade. There is an expectation that those of you that have signed up for this class are interested in
learning about digital video and have a baseline level of technology skills. The prerequisite skills that you
need in order to be successful in this class are:
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Operate a digital camera and upload pictures to your computer.
Scan and open a picture in Photoshop.
Understand the concept of layers, basic selection and color adjustments.
Patience and perseverance with technology and troubleshooting technology.
An open mind.
You can approach the studio component of this class in a variety of ways. We have tried to be platform
neutral in the choices of software for this class. This being said for basic video editing especially in a public
school environment, you will have a greater range of options and better ease of use if you have access to an
Apple computer running iMovie software. This does not mean that you will not be able to make content
rich and creative videos using Windows Movie Maker, you may have an easier time if you are just starting
to learn about video, using iMovie. With respect to posting or showing the work that you will create as part
of the class, you will need to get your work out of your computer or your studio and post it to the
discussion as link to a video that you have uploaded to YouTube. I have chosen YouTube as a delivery
method because of its popularity and potentials for social networking. Please take the presentation of your
work seriously because in an online setting, video or audio is the evidence of what you did. It is all that we
have to evaluate your work. Additionally, please be organized in your storage and backup of all of the work
that you do in this class. Save and save frequent back-up copies of your work.
HARDWARE
In terms of minimum digital imaging capabilities for presenting work, you will need the following
hardware.
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Access to a scanner – This is critical for the initial animation activity.
Access to the scanning program so that you can save your images as a computer file.
Access to a digital camera or camcorder that has the ability to shoot video. We are
strongly suggesting that if you do not already have a camera that shoots video to purchase
a Flip camcorder for between $100.00 and $170.00.
Headphones or speakers. There will be an audio component to this course.
 At least 10 GB hard drive space on your computer.
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For example, you can take pictures with a digital camera and upload to the discussion or you can take
pictures using an analog camera, develop, scan, and then upload to the discussion.
SOFTWARE
You must have access to Photoshop. It does not have to be the latest version. For video editing, you will
need a copy of iMovie which you can purchase for $49.00 as part of iLife or the latest version of Windows
Movie Maker. For audio editing, please download a free copy of Audacity software.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ Do not download the beta version, but 1.2 series.
What matters with software is what you DO with the software to make art as opposed to features and price.
I want to stress that this is not only a class that teaches you about how to use video as an art medium, but is
an exploration of the video’s place in contemporary art and the different ways artists use video to make
work. This is not a class in traditional Hollywood style movie making. As many of you are artists, I expect
you to use the ideas in this course to enrich your practice and to expand your notions of what constitutes art
in the 21st century. Your challenge is to take the studio techniques with which you already familiar and
combine them with the new techniques you are learning as part of this class.
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Student Success Tips
Review the following tips for success to maximize your experience in this course:
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Explore, experiment, make. An online studio class is an experiment. Use this time not
only to learn the content of the class, but also to enrich your art practice and get feedback
from your peers. Combine unlikely techniques to make art. Keep an open mind. Suspend
your disbelief.
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Persevere. Technology tests us in terms of our ingenuity and many times our patience. In
this class we are not only using technology as the delivery method of instruction, but also
as one of the tools for making art work. At times, you may have to research not only the
content for your work, but also the techniques. Get started on our projects in a timely
fashion so that you are not attempting to troubleshoot the technology at the last minute. I
will post links to resources for software that is assigned as part of the class such as
Audacity, but depending on what you choose to do with a particular software, you may
also need to do further research on the internet doing tutorials and chatting on forums.
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Ask Questions. I consider asking questions to be a normal part of the learning experience.
But, keep in mind that there are often multiple creative ways to approach a project or
answer questions. I encourage students to ask questions of each other when they don’t
understand something. As this is a studio class, please really use and give critique on
studio work. Graduate school is one of the few opportunities where you can receive
critical feed back about your artwork. Ask the hard questions in a kind way. Growth is
the goal. I also want you to feel free to email me with your questions. See below for more
information on contacting me.
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Hone Your Writing and Thinking Skills by learning from your peers. One of the
challenges adult learners coming back to school after a long break often face is that their
writing skills may be somewhat deficient, due to lack of practice. Thus, I encourage you
to always use spell and grammar check on your weekly reviews and project work. You
may also want to write your initial postings to weekly discussions in Word, spell check
them, and then paste them into the discussion board. Note: If you try this, use Sakai’s
Content Editor to create your posts, and then paste your contributions using the ‘Paste
from Word’ icon (see image below).
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Read SMART and WORK the Technology. This course is reading intensive with a
variety of writing styles. So, not all readings need to be read like a novel. Be smart about
how to read effectively for what you need from the reading. In addition, technology is not
human; I have many interesting resources for you to explore—if the technology is not
cooperating, take a deep breath and work on something else. That does not negate
deadlines. Thus, my best advice is proper time management, and not leaving things until
the last minute where you could get burned.
Get Connected to Many Networks. Network, network, and then network some more.
Use the online UF library resource and do not hesitate to call a librarian. Librarians love
to research and help you find really obscure but interesting information. When you are
passionate about your interests, it is easy for them to be passionate about your topics and
get you access.
While most of you will login to the Sakai site each week on your own, I do hope you
recognize you’re part of a larger learning community here. I encourage you early on to
connect online with other members of the class who you can turn to for critical feedback
and creative solutions to questions and to help you learn.
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Methods of Instruction/Learning
Structure
This course is presented in learning lessons – each comprised of readings, discussions and/or assignments,
and studio projects. Course requirements are laid-out clearly in the Course Schedule, and discussed in detail
within the appropriate lessons (Note: you can also find assignment details within the Syllabus). Course
requirements include Discussion Questions and Studio Projects for community input, feedback and sharing.
In addition, you will be responsible for completing an end of term Final Studio Project.
Synchronous AND Asynchronous Learning:
Most of our course activities occur asynchronously within Sakai. An important, but less formal, learning
site that will be available to you throughout your time at UF is UFARE 2.0, a social networking site for
faculty, students, alumni and friends of the UF Art Education program. We encourage all of our online
students and campus-based students to join this online community, which offers video- and photo-sharing
capabilities, blogs, forums, instant messaging, and special interest groups. It only takes few moments to
sign up at http://arted20.ning.com (don’t forget to have a small photo ready to upload that will serve as
your personal avatar on the site). Once your application is approved, which usually happens within 24
hours, you can begin exploring the site, find fellow classmates, and personalize your own page. Joining this
site will provide you with additional learning resources and tools, which you can use to communicate with
your peers and faculty, and to share your work with others in the program.
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Course Materials and Links
At this point, you’ve had a course overview, verified your tools and resources, received student success tips,
and information about the learning structure. Now it is time to explore the course materials. In the left-hand
side of your screen, review the links in the course tools (navigation) menu and explore the contents. Make
sure to thoroughly read the “Syllabus” to learn the course policies, procedures, and expectations. In
addition, review the “Course Schedule” to learn assignment due dates. After you have explored the course
and reviewed these materials, return to this section in “Getting Started.”
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Meet Your Professor:
JJ Higgins
I am an emerging new media artist, whose work is formed through intersections of architecture and social
space. I construct installations and projected forms that act as recontextualized environments for both
audience examination and intervention. A graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute (BFA/88) and the
University of Florida (MFA/ electronic intermedia 06), my interests collide at the intersection of social
behavior, etiquette, surveillance and the psychological spaces that embody memory and experience. Within
an interdisciplinary practice that includes language, sound and video, performative and interactive elements
and theoretical experimentation, the composite is challenging yet accessible to an audience that becomes its
operating mechanism. My interests hover around architectures and the way spaces are constructed. This
includes nonlinear positioning of time and place, the practice of consumerism, homogenous spaces, the
non-place (and its reference to ‘non-culture’) in the uses of public and private space, and in how the
language is constructed as a bridge between text and image. Site specificity and the non-gallery aesthetic
are major components of my work.
While I’m happy to answer questions you have about the course content or the online program in general,
please direct technical questions about the Sakai course site, accessing the library, or computer problems to
the UF Help Desk at (352) 392-HELP (4357) or online at http://helpdesk.ufl.edu. The Help Desk is open
from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Mondays through Fridays.
If you need to contact me, email me through Sakai or if it is an emergency at higj@ufl.edu . I usually
answer my email the same day, unless I have a deadline to meet or other pressing project to complete or am
traveling. For Spring 2011, I am teaching most of the day on Monday and Wednesday. I am planning on
engaging with the online class on a regular basis but will focus my attention on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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Introduce Yourself to the Class
Post a brief bio of yourself so that your classmates can get to know you a bit better. Your bio posting can be
very informal. Don’t feel you have to be highly personal. Some items you may consider sharing might
include where you live (city or state), your educational background, work experience, hobbies, interesting
facts about you, and/or what you hope to learn in this class. Feel free to attach a picture. To complete this
activity, click on “Discussions” in the course tools (navigation) menu and visit the “Introduction
Discussion” board (located within the Getting Started forum).
After you have posted your introduction and read your classmates’ postings, you are ready to begin
working in the first learning lesson.
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Begin First Learning Lesson
At this point, you should be fully prepared to begin your coursework. Click on “Lessons” in the course
tools (navigation) menu and select “Lesson 1.” Work through the activities in order to meet the due dates
identified in the “Course Schedule.”