The New Media Institute aims to equip students with the skills necessary to implement and utilize new media outlets and tools. As technology is such a rapidly changing field, one can imagine the problem of keeping the curriculum up to date. All too often instruction lags behind current technology trends. This grant enabled a rewrite of the NMIX 4110 ‘cookbook’, to add a large new section on coding.

Emuel sees coding skills as foundational in the current technology environment: “A student with the ability to code is more empowered to do creative work than a student who lacks this ability. Coding skills, once learned, are transferable. If students learn basic JavaScript coding, for example, they will find it much easier to learn a new language such as PHP.”

Another innovation that Emuel was able to begin implementing will encourage self-paced learning and the acquisition of new skills: Merit Badges. Currently, NMIX 4110 is a class that offers material appropriate for all skill levels. A Merit Badge is similar to a certification of particular skills; a merit badge in basic Jquery coding, for example, would certify that a student has reached an entry level of mastery in knowledge and implementation of that language. New Media students already receive a Certificate at the end of their course work that certifies their familiarity with New Media technologies. However, these merit badges go one step further to indicate the specific skills that a student has demonstrated mastery of in their course work.

We are very proud of the work Emuel has done to make something that works, work better!