MEVIT4640 - Mobile Media Design

Course content

This course is a practical and theoretical introduction to the unique challenges and possibilities raised by the popularity of advanced mobile media devices such as "smartphones". The developments in mobile user interfaces over recent years, exemplified by the iPhone and the Android platform, have turned the mobile web and the use of mobile applications – "apps" – into popular everyday activities. The unique characteristics of smartphones, such as their mobility, the integration of camera, microphone, location-awareness and other sensor technologies, provides unique possibilities for integrating digital media with everyday life. At the same time, mobile devices pose some unique challenges when compared to desktop devices. In this course you will be trained in exploring the possibilities for mobile media design, while gaining a basic knowledge about the main obstacles and how to overcome them, through a practical, project-based approach in which you will develop your own prototype of a mobile web application.

Learning outcome

By the end of this course you should:

• know basic media studies theories related to the mobile web, ubiquitous media and pervasive games

• be able to design a prototype for a mobile media web application

• have practice working with design in a team

• know the basic technical standards and current developments associated with the mobile web, such as Geolocation, HTML5, Media Capture etc.

• know agile design and development methodology, such as SCRUM

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in StudentWeb.

Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

MEVIT2500 - Multimodal design (web-design), or an equivalent introductory course to web-design.
The student is expected to have basic theoretical knowledge and practical experience in web design,
including both the technical competency to set up a webpage (by help of standard web technologies
such as HTML and CSS) and the basic design competencies needed to give a qualified judgement
of the virtues and disadvantages of different design solutions.

Recommended previous knowledge

Some knowledge and experience with JavaScript programming, or programing/design in other
languages such as PHP, Java or Flash is an advantage, but not required.

Teaching

The teaching will be concentrated in intensive periods at two or three intervals during the semester,
with an integration of lectures and practical seminars/workshops. Much of the activity will be
focused around the student's own group projects, to be developed during the course.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

Portfolio, consisting of: Group project and individual paper.

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

The exam must be written in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.

Resit an examination

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.

Special examination arrangements

If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.