Level Three Projects MS3307 New Media Thesis/Project and MS3308 New Media Portfolio 1.Introduction to module aims and objectives 2.Introduction to assessment 3.Week-by-week

Today's Session 1.General aims and outcomes 2.MS3307 – Where, When and Why? 3.Support 4.Assessment in a nutshell (more details next week) 5.Q&A

New Media Thesis/Project 2013/14 Part One: Introduction to module aims, objectives and assessments

MS3307 In this module students plan, develop and realise an appropriate, independent research project under relevant subject-specialist supervision and through a process of drafting & revision, grounded in a thoroughgoing preparation in methods of study and conceptual formulation, as dictated by the scope and character of the research undertaken. Phew! To relate the research carried out in the dissertation to the subject-based practical skills acquired on the programme (MS3308). There is a weekly seminar which goes through the stages of the thesis and students present their completed research to an audience at the end of the module. There is more detail here:

Main Aims of the Module To plan, develop and realise an appropriate, independent research project (thesis)

Main Aims of the Module Work under relevant subject-specialist supervision and through a process of drafting & revision

Main Aims of the Module Thoroughgoing preparation in methods of study and conceptual formulation, as dictated by the scope and character of the research undertaken. REMEMBER MS2306?

Main Topics of Study Independent review of an aspect of the field/subject discipline Keeping to conventions of scholarly writing and citation Application of theories & methods comprising the area of study Identifying a suitable object of inquiry and formulation of agreed project

Main Topics of Study Secondary and Primary sources Scrutiny of key texts and debates in subject area (literature review) Devising, researching and planning a production project through user centred research (method)

Dissertation Working within a framework and structure 1.Introduction 2.Literature Review 3.Method 4.Data Analysis 5.Interpretation of Data 6.Conclusions and Recommendations

OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes for the Module Knowledge At the end of this module, students should be able to: Demonstrate consolidated command of conventions of scholarly writing and citation Demonstrate sufficient breadth of learning of specified area of subject knowledge, as required to complete an independent research thesis/project Plan, develop and produce a thesis/project competently

Learning Outcomes for the Module Thinking skills At the end of this Module, students should be able to: Frame a research topic Identify and apply appropriate research methodologies Demonstrate independence of mind allied to ‘depth’ understanding of field/subject

Learning Outcomes for the Module Subject-based practical skills At the end of this Module, students should be able to: Devise, research and plan a production project, to a stage relevant to the specific medium, which engages critically with existing genres/modes of production.

Learning Outcomes for the Module Skills for life and work (general skills) At the end of this Module, students should be able to: Construct and implement a realistic research timetable Write up the research undertaken, through critical reflection Evaluate critically their research approaches, techniques and methodologies

Where and When? MS 3307 – DISSERTATION - NEW MEDIA DOUBLE PROJECT MODULE LEADER: TONY SAMPSON Thursday Lecture 9.00 – (9.30 from next week) KD.1.30 Why?

Part of recent changes (2011) made to the new media degrees General aims –To provide more time for level 3 project work –To make old MS3000 into two super modules –MS3307 and MS3308

Role of the MS3307 seminar is to relieve some of the stress of the final project… Provide a STRUCTURE

Why do you need a structure? New Media Project = Independent Research –Definition of own study –Self-directed learning –Research design –Research findings –New skills

Student Feedback “Weekly seminars focusing on each part of the thesis – helpful.” “Weekly focus on different areas – helpful.” “Good lectures and access to information when stuck (Blog).” “Opportunity to present to level 2 – helped thoughts.” “Engaging, interesting task to complete.”

Student Feedback “Learnt a lot about something that interested me and gained a degree of specialization.” “Fun having opportunity to explore a topic of my own choosing.”

The project occupies a third (two thirds with MS3308) of your time in the final year of your degree and carries one third of the marks for the year.

Demanding Your final project will be the most demanding (and exciting!) piece of work you complete for your degree

It will also count significantly towards your final degree classification.

Support A well-organised system of support, including research seminars and individual and small group supervision by specialist and core staff, will be established to help you to complete your project to the best of your ability.

Blog and Module Guide (includes notes from MS3307 sessions and info for MS3308) Module Guide

More About Supervision Following student presentations in week 4 (17-Oct-13) All students provided with 1 st and 2 nd supervisors in week 5 Supervisors are also 1 st and 2nd markers Students are encouraged to arrange a timetable of supervision with their supervisors At least 3 supervisory meetings per semester are mandatory –Linked to assessment 1 –Reduction in mark –Withdrawal

Feedback on Support “Supervisors helped greatly with practical/theory.” “Supervisors available when needed.” “Module leader also around if needed.” “Good access to supervisors “Quick feedback.” “Level of support given by supervisors.”

Feedback on Support “You only get out what you put in.” –A level 3 project student, 2009/10

Assessment in a nutshell New assessments introduced

Assessment in a nutshell Assessment One Thesis/Project Planning 20% overall, 2,000 words, Deadline: 06-Jan-14 There are four components to this individual assessment (A) A summary of the thesis/project (20%) (B) Annotated bibliography (30%) (C) Rationale of chosen methodology (30%) (D) A brief reflection on supervision (20%)

Assessment in a nutshell Assessment Two Thesis 80% overall (8000 words) Deadlines – first draft thesis in early April (to supervisors) Deadline 08-May-14

More detail on assessments next week Any questions for now?

SEM A WEEKSeminar 26-Sep-13 Introduction to module 1 – aims, objectives and assessment 1st two weeks to complete proposal – negotiating groups etc. 03-Oct-13 Introduction to module 2 – summarizing the thesis 10-Oct-13 Example of student work from previous year – with examples of dissertations, posters, videos. 17-Oct-13 Week four student presentations – 3 minutes – elevator-type pitch. MS3307 and MS Oct-13 Critical analysis and evaluation of literature - writing the annotated bibliography 31-Oct-13 NO TAUGHT SESSION - INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND PREP FOR PRESENTATIONS 07-Nov-13 Rationalizing and Designing Methodologies for New Media Research - specify testing documentation, preliminary analysis. Gosia. 14-Nov-13 Thesis/practice student presentations 21-Nov-13 Thesis/practice student presentations 28- Nov-13 Thesis/practice student presentations 05-Dec-13 Thesis/practice student presentations 12-Dec-13 Thesis/practice student presentations 06-Jan-14CW1 DEADLINE

14 th Nov - 12 th Dec Thesis presentations –Covering (A) A summary of the thesis/project (20%) (B) Annotated bibliography (30%) (C) Rationale of chosen methodology (30%) (D) A brief reflection on supervision (20%)

Deadline cw1: 06-Jan-14 (A) A summary of the thesis/project (20%) (B) Annotated bibliography (30%) (C) Rationale of chosen methodology (30%) (D) A brief reflection on supervision (20%)

SEM B Thursday Seminar 06-Feb-14 Module aims and objectives (recap) – including session on preparing for the student show 13-Feb-14 Thesis structure - Overview 20-Feb-14 Thesis structure - Literature review – purpose, approaches, structuring, examples 27-Feb-14 Thesis structure – Methodology 06-Mar-14 Thesis structure - Data analysis-Interpretation of data 13-Mar-14 Thesis structure - Introduction and conclusion – auto-edit session 20-Mar-14 Session on preparation for student show (posters, displays, demos, branding etc 27-Mar-14 Pitching ideas to MS2306 (Group One) on Tues EB. G: pm 03-Apr-14 Pitching ideas to MS2306 (Group Two) on Tues EB. G: pm 10-Apr-14 Student Vacation 17-Apr-14 Student Vacation 24-Apr-14 Pitching ideas to MS2306 (Group Three) on Tues EB. G: pm 01-May-14 Pitching ideas to MS2306 (Group Four) on Tues EB. G: pm 08-May-14 Free session - Deadline CW2 Thesis Friday May-14 (TBC) Student Show

Sem B Thesis (cw1) Deadline 08-May-14 The Student Show Thurs 15 th -Friday -16 th May-14 (tbc) Assessment of MS3308 in relation to MS3307 Thesis

Q&A Level 3 student reps? UX lab Social events this year MS 3308 – NEW MEDIA PORTFOLIO MODULE LEADER: TONY SAMPSON Thursday Workshop – 5.00 AVA.1.28