This subject aims to provide students with a more advanced coverage of technologies, hardware and software tools with a special emphasis on those that are being used within the entertainment and interactive environments. As multimedia industry is still at its infancy, many of its supporting methodologies and technologies need to be defined, and tools and techniques are ever-evolving. To survive in such an ever changing industry, the ability to conduct research and the capability of identifying radical innovations, their future directions and their impacts on the industry are essential skills. The secondary objective of the unit is, therefore, to improve the participants ability to conduct research so that they can, in the future, be able to gain access to the latest information about the concepts, issues, trends and technologies in this emerging field.
Objectives
Knowledge and Understanding
knowledge of hardware and software tools as they relate to advanced, leading edge multimedia systems
an understanding of recent developments in the New Media area and their likely impact on the multimedia industry
knowledge of the application of 3D in New Digital Media systems
an understanding of research methodologies and their application within the New Digital Media
a synthesis of research techniques and developmental skills
Attitudes, Values and Beliefs
an appreciation of the role of 3D applications in New Digital Media Systems
an appreciation of the importance of research methods and an awareness of the benefits of research for product creation
an appreciation of the inter-relationships amongst technologies supporting New Digital Media Systems
Practical Skills
demonstrate research and retrieval skills
demonstrate presentation skills
Relationships, Communication and TeamWork
improved communication and presentation skills for the presentation of ideas and peer feedback
develop group skills in research and develop time management skills that emulate professional time schedule.
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed MMS2402 or equivalent.
Unit relationships
MMS3402 is a core unit in the Multimedia Stream of the Bachelor of Information Technology. Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed MMS2402, or equivalent.
Texts and software
Required text(s)
None
Textbook availability
n/a
Software requirements
Microsoft Office or equivalent
You may find Endnote Useful
Software may be:
downloaded from http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/endnote/
Hardware requirements
Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 2 hours per week for use of a computer.
Recommended reading
See the Reading List in Muso
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for MMS3402 are:
The MMS3402 web site on MUSO, where readings, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, and supplementary material will be posted.
http://muso.monash.edu.au
Structure and organisation
Week
Topics
References/Readings
Key Dates
1
Subject Overview and Introduction Formation of Topics and Groups
2
Cinema is Obsolete - Finding References
1,2, & 4
3
Actors and Avatars - Summarising Articles
3, 6 & 18
4
Virtual Reality - Referencing
5 & 6
Assignment 1a due
5
Wearable technology - Writing
7, 8, 9 & 10
Assignment 1b due
6
Children's Technology - Student Presentations
11
Assignment 1c due & Assignment 2 presentation
Non teaching week
7
Equity Issues - Student Presentations
12, 13 & 14
Assignment 1d due & Assignment 2 presentation
8
Assistance with projects - Student Presentations
Assignment 2 presentation
9
Assistance with projects - Student Presentations
Assignment 2 presentation
10
Assistance with projects - Student Presentations
Assignment 2 presentation
11
Assistance with projects - Student Presentations
12
Presentation of Negotiated projects
Assignment 3: Negotiated Project Due
13
No Lecture
Timetable
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
This unit's assessment consists of three components:
1. Tutorial assignment: four small tutorial assignments 4x5marks = 20%
2. Tutorial Presentation: One individual or group presentations 30%
3. Negotiated Project: Individual or group as specified in the Learning Plan 50%
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
Gain 50% or more from the combined total of marks for all assessment tasks
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
1a + 1b + 1c + 1d + 2 + 3 = Final Mark
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Assignment 1a: Find papers
Start of Tutorial week 4
5%
Assignment 1b: Summarise a paper
Start of Tutorial week 5
5 %
Assignment 1c: Reference a paper
Start of Tutorial week 6
5 %
Assignment 1d: Write a section of a paper
Start of Tutorial week 7
5 %
Assignment 2: Tutorial Presentation
Dependent on Individual/Group
30 %
Assignment 3: Negotiated Project
Start of Tutorial week 12
50 %
Assignment specifications will be made available at http://muso.monash.edu.au.
Assignment Submission
Student must hand in hard copies assignment 1 to their tutors or in the assignment boxes near the Berwick school of IT offices.
Student must make their presentation in their allocated tutorial
Students will present their negotiated project as specified in their learning plan
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 10% per day for the research exercises and negotiated project. Late group presentations will not be accepted but for the most exceptional circumstances.
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions.
Requests for extensions must be made by email to the tutor at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
Assignment return
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
Unit improvements
This unit has been extensively revised as a result of student feedback. The lecture and tutorial format has been changed to a more inclusive seminar format. The research skills are now in the form of tutorial exercises and the subject has been changed to enable students to extend their multimedia skills in presenting in a variety of forms.
Plagiarism and cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
Communication
Communication methods
Tutors should be the first point of contact for students. The unit leader can be consulted if required.
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed in muso as announcements. Check this regularly. Failure to read announcements is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
Kirsten Ellis
Monday 2-3 and Tuesday 11-12
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
