Table Of Contents
section one: welcome to the module

Module Leader and Module Team Members
Module Summary
Basic Information About The Module

SECTION TWO: Learning Experience

Aims Of This Module and Learning Outcomes
Content Of The Module

SECTION THREE: Learning Resources

Essential Resources
Recommended Resources

SECTION FOUR: Teaching, Learning And Assessment

Learning Activities
Guide To Each Learning Session
session 1
session 2
session 3
session 4
session 5
session 6
session 7

SECTION FIVE: Assessment

Assessment 1 Artefact / Portfolio
Key Skills Assessment Chart
Assessment Feedback

SECTION SIX: Evaluation

Student Support And Guidance
Evaluation Of The Module

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SECTION ONE: Welcome To The Module

Hello! Welcome to Creativity and the World Wide Web!

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Module Leader

name: Ian Grant
room: Grove 332
ext: 2119

Module Team Members:

name: Richard Colson
room:
ext: TBC

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Module Summary | top

The module is aimed at fostering your personal development as a web artist. Therefore it is preliminary to use the web as a research resource and to understand it as an ever-changing world-wide information pool. If you want tips and help there are many sites to refer to on the web and some are listed in this guide. There are a large number of sites out there that are available for free that show you how to use almost every web design technique you will come across. Some resources are listed later in this guide. All techniques mentioned are subject to change because of the speed of growth of Internet and Web technologies. The module leader therefore reserves the right to change and update such content as and when it seems appropriate.

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Basic Information About The Module | top

Module Code: CTM0694E

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Module Title: Creativity and the WWW

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Module Level: Postgraduate

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Learning Hours: 120 hours

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Semester Availability: Semester 1

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Length of the Module: 7 weeks

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Core or Option: Core

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Credits Awarded for the Module: 20 credits

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Award Calculation: You must achieve 50% to pass the module.

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Named Pathways: MA Computer Arts

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Professional Accreditation: n/a

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SECTION TWO: Learning Experience | top


Aims Of This Module

• Create web-based artwork that demonstrates a professional level of aesthetic control.


• Display technical competence in web technologies to the point where concepts may be realised.


• Display competence in the essential disciplines of web planning, design and prototyping.

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Learning Outcomes | top

This module aims at exploring the potential of the World Wide Web as a fine art medium. You will research the use of the World Wide Web and inter-networks as tools for creative expression and analyse the work of other net-artists. This will allow you to contextualise contemporary art forms that use the Internet and help you to position your own artwork. Furthermore, you are encouraged to develop interactivity, networking, and communication theory within the context of the World Wide Web.

• Show competence not only in individual skills, but also in the linking technologies of programming and software administration.


• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues involved in found source usage (Copyright).


• Demonstrate an understanding of theory central to web based art.


• Produce work of professional standard to a given deadline.


• Evaluate your work to a level consistent with professional criticism.

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Content Of The Module | top

Students are given the opportunity to learn the central web techniques in order to facilitate the full synthesis of sound, interaction, text and animation in their online artworks. These techniques will include creating and embedding Shockwave and Flash players (including support for Lingo and Flash scripting), sounds and JavaScript. Although not a preliminary, students are expected to obtain or update a sound knowledge of HTML, as this is the basis of all web design. Through personal choice you can decide what aspect of web creativity to explore. You have studied flash already - but you can choose to exploit whatever web technologies you need to achieve your artistic aims. In order to increase interactivity and feedback systems for the created web artworks, further specialised techniques such as Java or server scripting can be explored in independent study. In critical terms, the student will investigate a particular aspect of web art through study of existing art web sites. This will include the study of the aesthetic and cultural background, the context of the work, as well as the analysis of the appropriate use of technologies.

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SECTION FOUR: Teaching, Learning And Assessment


Learning Activities | top

The teaching methods comprise lecture / presentations; tutorials, demonstrations and discussions in the workshops and group crits. There will also be tutorial support available via e-mail for independent study. Lecture notes will be published online, but students are advised to take their own notes during the session. Lecture / seminars might be changed or updated ant any time. All titles are provisional.

Workshops and Seminars

In general workshops and seminars are following the content of the lectures and either show the practical application of the issues and techniques introduced, or provide a forum for analysis and discussion. Workshops and seminars will be organised in a flexible fashion so that they may be extended or shortened as required.

Workshops can be used to revisit techniques of web design. As tutorials for all techniques are freely available online at various addresses. Technical notes in printed form will not be given out, but we will discuss, and evaluate the techniques. Please refer to the appropriate web site for your own research.

Sample workshop content to include:

HTML 4.0, XHTML
JavaScript and the DOM (Document Object Module)
Flash/ Flash action scripting
Visual web design tools (Dreamweaver)
Streaming Media
Sound and video
Web graphics
Typography for the web
PHP, MySQL and server side technologies
Narrative techniques


We will not have time for workshops in all of the above - so early on in week 7 or 8 we will choose what to cover.

You will be expected to develop a working journal / notebook / sketchbook / online resource. This will include any information you get from help sites and any techniques you are taught by the staff. It may also contain any images that you scan and any other graphics that for some reason are in printed form.

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Guide To Each Learning Session | top

Session 1

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | top

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Dates:
Lecture: Introduction to the ‘Creativity and the WWW'
Tutor: Ian Grant
Key Concepts/Issues

Teaching/Learning
introduction to module;
Concepts and theoretical base
Studio Action
HTML versus Visual Web tools
HTML exercises;
setting up dreamweaver and ftp
Links to LSDS/Key Skills Activity
Critical thinking;
Topic identification;
Independent Learning
net.art links From TATE Modern From Digital Art http://ox.compsoc.net/~swhite/history.html www.w3.org/History.html www.internetvalley.com/intval.html http://www.isoc.org/internet-history/brief.html http://www.ibiblio.org/pioneers/index.html Vannemar Bush 'As we may think' Tim Berners-Lee: http://www.w3.org/1998/02/ Potential.html Tim Berners-Lee, "Weaving the Web", Harper Collins 1999

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Session 2

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | top

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Dates:
Lecture: Net.Art or Not.art?
Tutor: Ian Grant
Key Concepts/Issues

Teaching/Learning
Evaluating context;
analysing ideas and artistic practise

Studio Action
Discussion; Technical Workshop (drawn from list and discussions)
Links to LSDS/Key Skills Activity
skills development
Independent Learning
net.art links From TATE Modern From Digital Art Artists Organisations Artwork Stallabrass, J. (2003). Internet Art: The Online Clash of Culture and Commerce. London, Tate Publishing. http://www.w3.org/
Any online HTML / Web design resources.

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Session 3

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | top

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Dates:
Lecture: Idea Development and Peer Evaluation
Tutor: Ian Grant
Key Concepts/Issues

Teaching/Learning
peer review and critique;
Studio Action
Dreamweaver and flash:
HTML and CSS exercises
Flash and Advanced Interactivity
Technical Workshop (drawn from list and group discussions)
Links to LSDS/Key Skills Activity
Context building;
Idea development;
Peer critique;
Evaluating resources;
Independent Learning
net.art links from bibliography
From TATE Modern http://www.tate.org.uk/shop/internetart/
From Digital Art http://mercury.tvu.ac.uk/cwww/digi_art_list.html


Artists
Organisations
Artwork

Stallabrass, J. (2003). Internet Art: The Online Clash of Culture and Commerce. London, Tate Publishing.
http://www.w3.org/

Any online HTML / Web design resources.
Use GOOGLE and other web search techniques

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Session 4

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | top

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Dates:
Lecture: Online Narrative
Tutor: Ian Grant
Key Concepts/Issues

Teaching/Learning
Considering examples; Evaluating artworks; Aesthetic experience and time;
Studio Action
exploring the blog;
exploring the wiki;
techniques for flash animation

Links to LSDS/Key Skills Activity
Analysing non-art as artworks
Construction of multiform narratives
Scripting for Interactivity

Independent Learning
Absorb yourself in a found hypertext narrative experience.

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Session 5

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | top

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Dates:
Lecture: Supporting technologies: Dynamic Web Pages
Tutor: Ian Grant
Key Concepts/Issues

Teaching/Learning
Scripting for Interactivity
Analysing artworks for interactive strategies
Studio Action
Technical Workshops
Links to LSDS/Key Skills Activity
Technical Skills and awareness;
Skill acquisitions
Independent Learning
Work on web-artefact

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Session 6

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | top

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Dates:
Lecture: Open Session and Surgery
Tutor: Ian Grant
Key Concepts/Issues

Teaching/Learning
Skill acquisition
Studio Action
Open to requests.
Links to LSDS/Key Skills Activity
Skill analysis: Identifying skill deficits
Independent Learning
Work on artefact

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Session 7

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | top

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Dates:
Lecture: The future
Tutor: Ian Grant
Key Concepts/Issues

Teaching/Learning
What is the aesthetic language that is emerging from internet orientated technologies such as XML, WAP, Broadband, wireless, voice-xml, wiki?
What role has the open-source movement in developing internet culture?
Individual presentations
Studio Action
Seminar discussions/workshops
Student Presentations of final work;
Module evaluation;
Links to LSDS/Key Skills Activity
Analysing and interpreting data
Independent Learning
http://www.w3.org/
www.xml.com
XHTMLguru.com - provides information on the new XHTML specification, including detailed tutorials for both beginners and experts.

Introduction to XHTML, with examples - tutorial from the Web Developer's Virtual Library.
XHTML 1.0: The Extensible HyperText Markup Language - a reformulation of HTML 4.0 in XML 1.0, as proposed by the W3C.

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SECTION FIVE: Assessment
Assessment 1: Artefact / Portfolio | top

Assessment Rationale
The work has to be prepared for professional exhibition/ display, therefore the work must be online or in an agreed special format.

Briefing date: 22/11/2004
Due date: 28/01/2005
Weighting:

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These are the criteria that you will be assessed upon for Assessment 1: | top

• Technical report, including site map (300 - 500 words)


• Preparatory and Contextual Work


• Aesthetic and social concerns


• evidence of professional level of critical skills in relation to your skills (a written self critique of 500 words)


• evidence of a professional understanding of copyright (references to image & text sources)


• evidence of research and idea development (inclusion of links to related sites, sketchbook, questionnaire, your notebook and/ or sketchbook)

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This is how standards/grades will be determined for assessment 1 | top

90-100
All the qualities of first class work. Publishable / presentable at exhibitions in a professional context.

80-89
All the qualities of first class work. With polishing the work will be publishable / presentable at exhibitions in a professional context.

70-79
The look and feel of the artefact will be exceptional to the point of transparency. The work will be outstanding in its conceptualisation and be perceptive, articulate and imaginative in nature. The work will show your understanding of non-linear information structures to be professional in scope. You will demonstrate a high level of technical skills that reflects your ability to comfortably mix and match different techniques, e.g. JavaScript and Flash. The piece will clearly demonstrate aesthetic understanding and integration at the highest level Presentation is of a professional standard. Evidence of extensive relevant reading and independent research. Professionally planned and executed.70 - 79 Purpose of the work clearly stated and fulfilled. Clear and easy to follow. The work will be outstanding in its conceptualisation and is perceptive, articulate and imaginative. It will clearly function as a working piece. It will be imaginative, relevant and thorough. It will show a high technical skills level. The piece will clearly demonstrate an aesthetic understanding at an appropriate level. Project well planned with the appropriate method and scale; well communicated.

60-69
Overall a successful work which fulfils its aims very well and with clarity. Project relevant and well planned with appropriate method but too large or small in scale or inconclusive. Evidence of knowledge and understanding of major issues in the field derived from the learning materials for the module and a good grasp of current debates. Artefacts will show good technical skills and be relevant and thorough, but without the excitement or innovation. You will demonstrate a competent integration of different web technologies. You will demonstrate an understanding of non-linear information structures. Presented work will be clear, articulate and conform to the assessment criteria in full.

50-59
Overall successful work which fulfils its aims. It is cohesive in structure but lacking in depth, thoroughness or rigour. Poorly planned and executed. Purpose slightly inconclusive or not fully achieved. Slight confusion. There may be problems with certain elements of integration of multiple media within the site, but on the whole it will work. Artefacts will show adequate technical skills. Some parts however might not be completed or less relevant. The work will be conventional in nature and demonstrate adequate research. Presented work will conform to the presentation criteria.

40-49
The work is poorly executed. It fails to demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the web as a creative tool. It lacks some cohesiveness in structure and also lacks depth, thoroughness and rigour. The portfolio may be incomplete, or lacking adequate development. It shows limited awareness of current major issues in the field. Presented work will not always comply with the presentation criteria. The portfolio might also show inadequate preparation. Aesthetic/critical nature will demonstrate naiveté and lack of understanding. Functionality is virtually non-existent e.g. the navigation does not work. Display of some developed technical skills which might not have been applied successfully to the artefact. The design is poor and confused. Some or all of the required parts for this assignment are not submitted.

30-39
Confusion in purpose and aims. Very difficult to understand. Portfolio will not comply with the presentation criteria outlined in the module study guides and show lack of preparation and coherence. The content is very limited in amount and shows crucial omissions. No clear demonstration of the student’s understanding of the learning materials for the module; Excessive inclusion of irrelevant information. Display of poorly developed technical skills; and lack of the ability to transfer these to the student’s own artefacts. Planning and execution of project plan not evident. Inadequate referencing.

20-29
Severe lack of concepts and/or structure. Extremely confusing. Lack of evidence of a meaningful attempt to develop the relevant technical skills to execute the project idea. No demonstration of the student’s engagement with the learning materials for the module. The artefact is only partially working. Presented portfolio will not comply with the presentation criteria and show severe lack of preparation and coherence. It shows crucial omissions in content, or meaning has disappeared in a welter of irrelevant material. Research is largely irrelevant .

10-19
No evidence of an idea concept. No evidence of structured information in the portfolio. No evidence of development of technical skills. No evidence of research.

0-9
Aesthetic and technical meltdown. No evidence of information in the portfolio. No evidence of technical skills. No evidence of research.

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Key Skills Assessment Chart | top

Postphoned until university policy is agreed.

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Assessment Feedback | top

Students receive feedback on the informal evaluation in a short session after the hand-in of assignment 2 and feedback on the questionnaire in the final session of the module.

Students receive written feedback on assessment feedback sheets for all assessments. Should students have further queries on their marks or their feedback, the tutor will be available for tutorials. We aim to provide assessment feedback as soon as possible after the hand-in deadline, currently the turnaround time is between 2-3 weeks.

The tutor’s feedback on the assessments provides a valuable link to support and develop students’ learning, as it provides targeted feedback on an individual basis. The assessment points are also vital for the course development as they show how well the learner was able to implement the new skills learned in the workshops, whether the assessment requirements have been clear to the student and how well learners were able to meet the aims of the module.

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Student Support And Guidance

Technical support:

Technical support is available from Mac Lab 2 between 10am and 3pm:

John Williamson, PC Network Administrator G328 extn 2486

Carl Rohumaa, Macintosh Network Administrator G230 extn 2962

Administrative support

CT Administrator, Saint Mary’s Road Campus, Room TC308, extn 2195

LRC

The Learning Resource Centre at Saint Mary’s Road Campus provides a source for books, magazines and Internet access, suitable for researching image material as well as further study. Additional computer workspace is also provided.

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Evaluation Of The Module | top

The methods used on this module are an informal evaluation session in a mid-semester review, and a formal evaluation at the end of the module in form of a questionnaire. Both methods feed into the development of the module, for example to reschedule the order of lectures, or to intensify or repeat some content, and to critically revise the teaching and learning methods used in the workshops or seminars.

Where possible, electronic forums and an online module evaluation form will be used.