project zero An introduction to project work at University level
Diego Garro School of Humanities - Department of Music
[email protected] www.keele.ac.uk/depts/mu/staff/diego.htm
___________________________________________ KEELE UNIVERSITY : Music Technology
Teaching Innovation 2007-2008
Keele University – Music Technology: Project work used to assess modules for equivalent of 100 credits out of 160.
Project work (technical): design, record/film, edit, transform audio and video material.
Project work (creative): create artefacts using audio and video material (soundtrack for radio drama, sound idents, sonic art composition, music).
___________________________________________ KEELE UNIVERSITY : Music Technology
Context:
Many students lack skills necessary for project work: Organisation. Time management. Abiding to requirements. Interacting with project co-agents. Writing reports.
Many students are not used to taking initiative: Taking ‘ownership’ of the project. Pro-active agents.
Students must develop the mentality and working pattern of an (audio) professional: Quality standards. Strict compliance to requirements and deadlines. Presentation standards. Dealing with client.
___________________________________________ KEELE UNIVERSITY : Music Technology
Problem addressed:
Formative exercise. Year 1, first semester.
Entirely delivered via WebCT. On-line resources: _ Text (project guidelines, requirements) _ Audio visual (slides shows with tutor’s voice-over) _ Instructional (screen-captured videos with software instructions)
Simple project work. _ Mock media production company. _ Montage of given videotrack with given soundtrack.
Emphasis on methodology. _ Understanding project requirements. _ Using resources (software, sounds, videos, texts, templates).
___________________________________________ KEELE UNIVERSITY : Music Technology
project zero
Reflection embedded in the project zero exercise. _ 3 quizzes (formative) with automated feedback. _ Scheduled interaction with a project tutor/supervisor (computer mediated?)
Evaluation embedded in the project zero exercise. _ Anonymous questionnaire at the end of the exercise.
Transferable The concept and many of the resources can be used or adapted to other teaching and learning contexts, for example other programmes at Keele University and/or elsewhere.
___________________________________________ KEELE UNIVERSITY : Music Technology
project zero
January 2008: Analysis of T&L problem. Conceptual design. Analysis of pros and cons of delivery via WebCT.
September 2008: Launch of PROJECT ZERO.
October 2008: students carry out PROJECT ZERO and use the WebCT supporting resources.
November 2008: participant students evaluate PROJECT ZERO and its resources by means of WebCT questionnaire (survey).
January 2009: Project leader to collect evidence, carry out analysis of the results and plan suitable corrections to the project in view of future applications.
February 2009 onwards: dissemination of findings.
February 2008: Analysis of existing resources (books, HTML) dealing with project work and related skills. February 2008: Detailed design of ‘PROJECT ZERO’ including its integration within existing Music Technology modules and their assessment.
March 2008: Development of the resources. Design and development of WebCT section.
April 2008: Test of the resources involving students and members of staff.
May 2008: Modification of content, tools and user interface according to the results of test.
___________________________________________ KEELE UNIVERSITY : Music Technology
Plan:
