This programme will appeal to graduates with an interest in digital media and technology-oriented graduates who wish to extend their design skills and have their creativity challenged, as well as design graduates who wish to improve their technology expertise. Many such graduates are expected to come from the existing single honours and combined undergraduate courses in Multimedia Technology. The programme will also provide an opportunity for individuals seeking to build upon their prior expertise and develop new career directions.

The MSc in Interactive Digital Media addresses issues in design for interactivity and navigation, digital media production (sound, video and animation), digital media solutions for the industry and the public sector, the internet and its applications, usability design, mobile communications and cultural and ergonomic design influences. The course will provide skills in the relevant multimedia software

How long will it take?

Students normally complete the MSc by part time study in 3 years.

Assessment

Assessment is entirely by coursework, and for each taught module is usually centred on a project. Many students are able to link these projects to their work environment or interests. Practical software skills are tested in most modules using industry standard tools.

What is the study environment like?

Modules are delivered in dedicated multimedia labs by the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, with assistance from the New Technology Initiative. They provide an experienced team of tutors who have a wide range of creative and digital media expertise.

Teaching is based on a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, skills development sessions and individual tutorials. Students are encouraged to develop online and collaborative strategies for learning, and to work in teams for some projects. Some modules will be taught in conjunction with the existing MSc in Information Systems running in the department.

Student Work

Our students often come up with some truly outstanding multimedia work in the form of audio, video, websites or CD-ROM presentations. Here is just a sample of some of their work...

**Quicktime Video requires plug in.

Return to Top

Taught Modules (Subject to change)

CO7000	Research Methods (Interactive Digital Media) (Essential for MSc)
CO7001	Dissertation (60 credits) (Essential for MSc)
CO7002	Project Management (Essential for PgD and MSc)
CO7012	Interactive Digital Media Production and Authoring
CO7002	Programming for Interactive Digital Platforms
CO7014	Usability and Interactive Systems
CO7017	Multimedia on the Web - Issues and Implementation
CO7032	Music and Sound for Interactive Digital Media

Return to Top

Research

Collaboration Across Borders project

Facilitating effective online collaboration between HE students and staff working in different countries on a range of programmes and courses. Guidelines for best practice have been developed together with dedicated web portal based on Moodle. Collaboration with Salford University and HE Institutions in Holland, Spain, Germany and Poland. European funding from Scorates, Minerva (ODL and ICT in education) Euro 285,000.

Publications

Jan Shaylor, Grace Cookson, Elena Zaitseva and Dean Utian. Organisational issues of global online collaborations. Poster presented at ALT C 2005, Manchester.
VIEW

Janice Whatley, Frances Bell, Jan Shaylor, Elena Zaitseva, and Danuta Zakrzewska CAB - Collaboration across Borders: Peer Evaluation for Collaborative Learning. The Journal of Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology 2005, Volume 2.

E.Zaitseva, J.E.Whatley, J.Shaylor. Collaboration Across Boarders: Benefits and pitfalls of an international collaborative project. Education in a Changing Environment, Second Learning and Teaching Research Conference, University of Salford, September 2004 Conference proceedings.

J.E.Whatley, J.Shaylor , E.Zaitseva.CAB - Collaboration Across Borders: peer evaluation for collaborative learning, Paper for InSITE conference 2005,Arisona USA.

E.Zaitseva, F. Bell, J.E.Whatley, J.Shaylor Peer-Evaluation in a Multi-Cultural Context: Language and Culture Issues in an International Collaborative Project. Cognition and exploratory learning in digital age, proceedings of the IADIS International Conference, CELDA Portugal December 2004.

The Harlequin Project

The Harlequin Project In collaboration with independent artists and musical production groups this project allows digital resources to be captured and stored centrally for later use. Media rich websites are constructed for specific productions, together with DVD and CD based materials. A longer term aim is to create a flexible web-based system to allow independent artists to organise, store, promote and publish their creative productions.

Current Developments

• New community web site for http://www.chestertogether.co.uk
• New production site for http://www.jigsaw-music.co.uk
• DVD media and sound work for http://www.chestermysteryplays.com
• Mobile website for http://www.handbagofharmonies.co.uk/
• Improved media content for http://www.mattbakermusic.co.uk/index.php

Apply or Come and Visit Us!

Email Dr Jan Shaylor for information on how to apply, or to arrange an informal visit: j.shaylor@chester.ac.uk