Teaching

Faculty, Interactive Multimedia Program, Columbia College Chicago (Fall 1998 - present)

Fall 2007, Interactive Arts and Media Department

IAM Team, Instructor

Interactive Arts and Media Department, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: This year-long course, over two linked semesters, deepens student's abilities to maximize the benefits of collaborative productions and to practice effective collaboration and production management. Students again contribute their unique competencies and specialties to a shared, team-based production process that delivers iterative versions of a single project in a practical environment which introduces and practices advanced project management skills related to iterative project development. Client communication skills are developed as well as the student's ability to develop accurate client requirements documentation and to convert these requirements into a substantial, functional, and professional interactive project.

Prerequisites: Completion of all Core Requirements

  • Class creates product for "real-world" client
  • Past clients have included Adivi Corporation, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Child's Play Touring Theater, Keith Photography, Loretto Hospital, SearchLit.org, and Test Positive Awareness Network
  • Taught course eight times as a year-long course (16 semesters)
  • Redesigned course (with D. Gerding)
  • Course details

Authoring Interactive Media, Instructor

Interactive Arts and Media Department, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: This class focuses on effectively communicating content in an interactive format. Students research, plan, and produce interactive media projects. Several media components are developed and integrated to support the goal of each piece. Topics covered include contextual problem solving, information architecture, and usability. All projects are designed with participants in mind, considering their culture and demographics. Contemporary authoring technology and content creation tools will be used.

Prerequisites: 52-1152 English Composition II* D -- AND --35-1300 Digital Image Development D -- AND --36-1000 Media Theory and Design I D

  • Designed course with committee (J. Baxter, E. Brown, N. Nolin, J. Meyers, and J. Rooney)
  • Third time teaching course
  • Course details

Recently Taught (Fall 1999 - Fall 2007), arranged alphabetically

Aesthetics for Interactive Multimedia, Instructor

Interactive Multimedia Program, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Course discusses the emerging aesthetic of computer-based interactive multimedia. It seeks to identify the aural, visual, rhetorical, and dramatic aesthetic traditions that preceded and now pervade interactive forms. Students learn strategies for critical analysis of interactive multimedia pieces. Students are then prepared to apply these strategies proactively in the creation of interactive multimedia pieces.

  • Taught course four times
  • Redesigned course (with D. Gerding, A. Hicks and D. Huston)
  • Course details

Authoring Interactive Media, Instructor

See course description above

Client Team, Instructor

See course description above

Game Culture, Instructor

Given the increasing popularity of games within today's culture there is little question that it is necessary to analysis how games are impacted by social and ideological forces and influence them in turn. Questions like "Why do we play?" and "How do we play differently?" are explored, with many others, as students are guided through topics such as role-playing and identity, ethics, group behavior, competition, gender, race, and aesthetics in modern (and historical) games.

Prerequisites: 52-1152 English Composition II* D -- AND --36-1000 Media Theory and Design I D

Graphics and Animation for Interactive Multimedia (GAIM), Instructor

Interactive Multimedia Program, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Current trends in multimedia require animators to comprehend a wide range of computer-based animation applications. Course covers broad techniques in creating art for computer animation with an introduction to methods for making animation interactive. Applications used include Photoshop for generating and manipulating images and basic 3D rendering programs. Students should have basic understanding of computer operating systems prior to enrolling in the course.

Prerequisites: 39-1100 Aesthetics of Interactive Multimedia, 22-1221 Visual Design for Interactive Multimedia (Art and Design), 35-1100 Foundations of Computer Applications (Academic Computing)

  • Redesigned course (with D. Gerding)
  • Taught course three times
  • Course details

Individual Vision, Instructor

Interactive Multimedia Program, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: This course is a senior-level project development course. Students are expected to define a vision for a single project, produce a version of the project, and then iteratively revise the project throughout the semester with feedback from class critiques. As a senior-level course, students will be expected to show a large amount of personal initiative and to finish the semester with a completed and professional-quality product.

Prerequisites: Completion of all Core Requirements

Interactive Multimedia Production (IMP), Instructor (2 sections)

Interactive Multimedia Program, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Course focuses on the integration of component media in an interactive multimedia project. Students design, produce, debug, and modify several interactive multimedia pieces. Students learn the basics by creating an autobiographical/personal project and identifying techniques for ongoing portfolio development. Contemporary authoring technology and content creation tools will be utilized.

Prerequisites: 22-1221 Art for Interactive Multimedia, 35-1100 Foundations of Computer Applications, 39-1100 Aesthetics of Interactive Multimedia, 26-2005 Computer Graphics and Animation, completion of at least 6 additional credit hours of Interactive Multimedia core classes

  • Redesigned course description and objectives (with D. Dinello and D. Gerding)
  • Redesigned course (with D. Gerding)
  • Taught course 20 times
  • Course details

Introduction to Interactive Multimedia Production, Instructor

Interactive Multimedia Program, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Students learn the basics of designing and constructing their own interactive project for Internet delivery. Production focuses on creating an interactive interface that is both efficient and intuitive. Production emphasizes orientation, fluency, engagement, and visual design. Students may incorporate component media created in other classes.

Prerequisites: 39-1100 Aesthetics of Interactive Multimedia, 22-1221 Visual Design for Interactive Multimedia (Art and Design), 39-1300 Sound For Interactive Multimedia, 35-1100 Foundations of Computer Applications (Academic Computing)

  • Created and developed course
  • Created syllabi and course objectives
  • Focuses on global standards and accessibility, as well as dynamic delivery and design
  • Taught course five times
  • Course details

Introduction to Programming: Theory and Concepts

Interactive Arts and Media Department, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Class provides a fundamental introduction to computer programming theory and concepts to students with little or no previous experience. Students learn structure, syntax, logic, and the difference between object-oriented and procedural systems.

Portfolio Practicum (PP), Instructor

Interactive Multimedia Program, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: This course is a supervised, junior-level, practical application of iterative portfolio development. Students are expected to have a portfolio which will be revised throughout the semester with feedback from class critiques and professionals in the Interactive Multimedia industry. Topics to be covered will include production strategies, the interactive process, and assessment techniques.

Prerequisites: contact Interactive Multimedia Program (312.344.7750) for prerequisite inormation.

  • Designed and developed course
  • Taught course twice

Production: Word and Image, Instructor

Interactive Multimedia Program, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: This class focuses on effectively communicating content in an interactive format. Students research, plan, and produce interactive media projects. Several media components are developed and integrated to support the goal of each piece. Topics covered include contextual problem solving, information architecture, and usability. All projects are designed with participants in mind, considering their culture and demographics. Contemporary authoring technology and content creation tools will be used.

Prerequisites: 52-1152 English Composition II* D -- AND --35-1300 Digital Image Development D -- AND --36-1000 Media Theory and Design I D Requirements

Simulation Design II, Instructor

Building on the skills learned in Simulation Design I, this class delves deeper into "realistic" simulation by analyzing a scenario or situation with an eye toward identifying the elements within them that lends themselves to engaging interaction and play. This course also continues the development of the designer's practical skills in using scripting languages and interactive authoring environments as game concept development and production tools. By its end, students taking this course will also be able to recognize the interrelationship between authentic realism, perceived realism, and potential game play.

Prerequisites: 36-2500 Simulation Design I

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Previous Courses Taught (Fall 1998 - Fall 1999), arranged alphabetically

Beginning Director, Instructor

Columbia 2, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Macromedia's Director is one of the most versatile multimedia authoring packages in the industry. Participants will learn the various facets of Director, including the score, cast members, scripting, transitions, pallets, and object attributes. The workshop is taught in a hands-on lecture-and-do environment, and participants will complete a simple Director project. MIDI, sound, and QuickTime, as well as cross-platform issues will be covered.

  • Taught the basics of Director, as well as more advanced techniques (programming).
  • Taught course three times

Beginning Website Design, Instructor

Columbia 2, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Course intended for design, marketing, and other communications professionals interested in information delivery via the World Wide Web. The course surveys the visual and technical features of Web site design and provides practical instruction in document structure and layout, interface design, imaging and graphic file formats, TCP/IP fundamentals, and emerging network technologies. Participants will create Web pages using HTML composed in a text editor and graphics created in Adobe Photoshop.

Computer Models and Virtual Worlds in Science, Co-Instructor

Institute for Science Education and Science Communication at Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Students explore different techniques, including 2D and 3D modeling and animation, to visualize scientific concepts, such as nuclear power, acid rain, the ozone layer and the Greenhouse Effect. Students design and create models for communicating science in the Science Institute's Science Visualization and Communication Laboratory. Students with prior 3-D modeling experience will have the opportunity to work with advanced 3-D modeling and animation software, such as LightWave. Laboratory work outside of class time is a required component of the course.

  • Taught students to visualize scientific concepts
  • Digital imaging, audio and video editing, 3D, and web design
  • Taught course five times

Multimedia Seminar, Instructor

Institute for Science Education and Science Communication at Columbia College Chicago
Course Description:

  • Taught Chicago public school teachers to develop multimedia instructional tools for use in their classrooms
  • Created course, syllabi and supporting materials
  • Digital imaging, audio and video editing, as well as how to create a web based multimedia module
  • Taught course twice

Multimedia Authoring: Flash, Instructor

Columbia 2, Columbia College Chicago
Course Description: Course covered the concepts and skills needed to create multimedia projects for both Web and CD-ROM delivery. The class focused on interface design, programming, and content presentation. Application-specific topics covered included high-performance animation, ActionScript, media optimization, audio and video integration, and streaming. Prior knowledge of either Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator (or compatible programs) and Internet authoring required.

  • Created course, course description and course objectives
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Lectures, Workshops, Seminars, and Presentations

Visiting/Lecturing Artist

  • Retrospective and Inspiration. Columbia College, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 (for the college-wide "Freshman Seminar" course)
  • Printmaking. Chicago Children's Museum, 1994

Workshops, Seminars, and Presentations

  • Creating Successful Portfolios, Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, Illinois) 2003. Presentation for the Minority In Communications Association (MICA)
  • Creating Successful Portfolios, Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, Illinois) 2003. Presentation for SPC 3300 Interviewing (a class in the Speech Communication Department)
  • Virtual Learning Community, SITE (Orlando, Flordia) 2001. Presented with Dr. Barb Iverson
  • Teaching with STYLE, Columbia College Chicago (Fall 2000). Presented with Dr. Barb Iverson
  • Teaching with STYLE, Syllabus Chicago 2000. Presented with Dr. Barb Iverson
  • Creating Web-based Instructional Tools for Classroom Use.
    Web Design Workshops for Chicago Public School Teachers (taught 10 sessions during the 1998/1999 school year)

Training and Consulting

McCarthy Technologies

Versive, L.L.C.

  • Freelance Consultant

Freelance

  • On-site corporate training: Applications and production methodologies and processes

Awards, Grants, Fellowships, and other Recognition

Faculty Development Grant, Columbia College Chicago, 2007

Faculty Letters of Commendation, University of Chicago, 2006

Nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award 2003

Renaissance Outstanding Achievement Award, Columbia College, 1997, 1998

Artemesia Mentorship, Artemesia Gallery, 1996

Oxbow Fellowship, The School of the Art Institute, 1993

Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity member, 1990

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