My teaching approach is grounded in the tenets of constructionist learning, which posits that students should learn-by-doing in supportive social settings. I believe students flourish while working on personally meaningful projects that are socially and culturally relevant and truly seek to purposefully improve the human condition. I encourage my students to take ownership of their own educational mission by positioning their approach to course materials and ideas within the realm of their personal life experiences. In this way, students relate to and reflect upon class concepts in unique ways, which broadens the overall interpretation framework used to analyze and understand fundamental ideas.

DESIGN FOR HEALING - Spring 09, 08, 07

This course explores the design, creation and critique of healing systems, environments, experiences and objects. We examine the role of design as a critical component for cultural, social, political, psychological, economic and political healing experiences. Through the study and creation of reflective, engaging and powerful healing artifacts and entities we explore questions such as: How do we create adaptive objects and environments that respond to our physical and psychological needs and desires? What new challenges do we encounter in designing individual and collective experiences that are culturally, socially and ethically aware? How do we critique and understand the success or failure of such designs? The class is grounded in philosophical readings, critical design research methodology, case studies and applied research. Class assignments include presentations, concept maps, prototypes, movies, short papers and projects.

Class syllabus (PDF)
Class wiki

MULTIMODAL ENVIRONMENTS - Fall 08, 06

This course explores the integration of sonic and visual modes in physically situated, interactive media systems. We explore questions including: How can we best couple multiple streams for a holistic experience? How do these constructed environments relate to our everyday experiences? What new challenges arise from multi- modal integration and interactivity? How do we evaluate and understand such hybrid physical/digital spaces? What are the social, cultural, and economic implications of developing multimodal environments? Course materials draw from current and historical examples of environments that are rooted in arts, education, media, and design. Selected readings provide a context for the relevant theoretical and perceptual issues and will form the basis for student led presentations and discussion. Formal class lectures will be accompanied by rapid in-class ‘pressure projects’. Overall class assignments are project-based and emphasize exploration through the collaborative design and realization of new multimodal environments.

Co-taught with David Birchfield

Class syllabus (PDF)
Class wiki

MEDIA THEORY, Fall 09, 07, Spring 06

Media Theory incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to the study of media as a political, economic, cultural, social and personal experience. Students will interrogate theoretical readings, analyze media systems and experiment with online constructions in an examination of our own increasingly complex relationship to media as simultaneously audience consumers, cultural producers and communities of learning practitioners. This course is directed towards those interested in researching, designing, building or critiquing experiential media systems that are culturally provocative, socially meaningful and deeply essential.

In Fall 2009, this class will be co-taught with Todd Ingalls
Class syllabus
Class weblog