EXERCISE 1: WHICH IS THE NEW MEDIA SOLUTION?

PROBLEM: A DISAPPEARING LANGUAGE

Ian Larson wanted to help preserve the Passamaquoddy language from extinction.

SOLUTION A

Create a taskforce from a select group of Native American language experts, and ask them to write down a dictionary of words and their definitions. Enter these definitions into a database and build a Web site that allows anyone to search for terms and hear their pronunciation. Hire a high-profile Web designer and marketing firm to ensure that as many people as possible learn about this resource.

SOLUTION B

Distribute laptops with video cameras to schoolkids in the Passamaquoddy community, and ask them to record their grandparents telling stories in Passamaquoddy. Upload these to a Web site along with the grandparents’ definitions of particular words used in the story, and make these words searchable via a tag cloud.

The “many-to-many” principle:

Solution B has the many-to-many principle because the school kids are able to connect with their grandparents. Asking them and recording, but also have the ability to connect with others because of accessing videos on the cloud.

Solution A doesn’t work as well because they aren’t connecting with grandparents and learning stories. Just asking random Native Americans.

PROBLEM: NEGLECTED RUINS

Evan Habeeb wanted to make people aware of the beauty of abandoned buildings.

SOLUTION A

Assemble a film crew and visit abandoned homes, factories, and other buildings. Bring lights to illuminate these spaces dramatically, and record ambient sounds like dripping water. Edit the footage onto a DVD to create a compelling account that documents these relics for posterity, and distribute copies to historical societies across the state for their collections.

SOLUTION B

Build a Web site that allows adventurers to print stickers they can leave behind in abandoned buildings they explore. Create the stickers so they can be scanned by a mobile phone to reveal a Web site built to feature photographs taken by those explorers.

 The “many-to-many” principle:

Solution B has the many-to-many principle because anyone is able to leave a mark. With a sticker than can be placed anywhere by anyone  to reach others and leave their own.

Solution A doesn’t have the many-to-many principle, because physically needed to be working with the film to see its natural beauty for the beginning and origin of place.

PROBLEM: MISUNDERSTANDING COMPUTER ANIMATION

Ryan Schaller and Jason Walker wanted to help people understand the many layers required to create a computer-animated film, including wireframe, textures, and light effects. As a case study, they created an animation depicting a cartoon archeologist digging for ancient artifacts.

SOLUTION A

Design and build a touch-screen interface that allows viewers to “rub” away layers of the film with their hands to reveal previous stages of the animation as it plays.

SOLUTION B

Create an iPad application that documents each stage of the animation process, using stills from the archeologist film as illustrations. Explain techniques such as ray tracing, motion capture, and morphing. Include links to companies that create animation software such as Autodesk.

The “many-to-many” principle:

Solution A has the many-to-many principle, because of Interaction with touch-screen. Physically interaction of rubbing allows them to understand how the film works.

Solution B doesn’t have the “many-to-many” principle. Because as it’s only an app, that doesn’t allow you to be hands-on.

PROBLEM: A BROKEN FOUNTAIN

Danielle Gagner wanted to renovate the waterfall fountain under the skylight in the middle of the University Union, which had fallen into disrepair.

SOLUTION A

Repurpose the existing plumbing to irrigate a garden planted in the former fountain. Research the types of plants that would grow well together at different levels of the fountain, and meet with dining hall staff to find out what herbs or vegetables they might add to salads and other offerings. Then plant these in collaboration with the sustainable agriculture club on campus, and invite students to pick the resulting parsley, strawberries, and other fare from the garden for their lunch.

SOLUTION B

Use Google Image Search to download photographs of natural bodies of water such as streams, rivers, and the ocean. Combine these with nature footage from sources like National Geographic and the Discovery Channel to create a multichannel video installation that projects images of flowing water and rippling waves onto the fountain, which has been covered with theatrical screening. Supplement the moving images with the sound of a babbling brook emanating from surround-sound speakers mounted on the ceiling.

The “many-to-many” principle:

Solution A has the many-to-many principle, because by creating a real environment scenario. Allows interaction among people, and dining hall staff being responsible with herbs or vegetables. It’s more of a collaborative relationship in away.

Solution B doesn’t have the many-to-many principle, because of images and videos limiting and distancing themselves from the environment. Which leaves behind the community that’s involved and also the waterfall project altogether

EXERCISE 2: INVENT YOUR OWN MANY-TO-MANY SOLUTIONS

THE OCEANS ARE DYING!

How can you stimulate students to learn more about the oceans?

When we look at the ocean today we mostly know a small amount of what’s really out there. For because the percentage of exploration of the entire ocean, exceeds to a small amount. With only a surprising total about 8% has been documented to know what lies beneath our ocean waters. With the majority of people that are not aware of what happens behind the scenes in the ocean. Because of the enormous size covering of 3/4 of the entire earth. Which is in need of desperate attention as parts and sections have been altered with no intentions on the effects it may being. To help students educate more about the ocean and what purpose it plays on their life, I decided to have a live stream event. That is run by marine biologist who go out to explore oceans depths and wildlife. Allows them to be have the change of being apart of completing the exploration of the ocean over time.

With also having the ability to have hands-on experience as well with having their own ocean exploration stream. Which can bring more people together to get involved but also spread the truth of what’s really out there. Which you can do by having a ocean awareness stream.What motivates students out there to go and clean up any trash that may be floating on the waters or beaches. Which could be sponsored to earn money for every piece of waste removed from the sea. Helping the students by award them for their efforts to make the oceans the ocean a better place. With also to help educate interest into discovering more about what is out there, to save the oceans of the future.