This assignment requires students to collaborate in groups
of 3 people and develop an extended argument using multimedia composition
strategies. So, let us begin with two
questions: What is multimedia? And how does the medium change the message
you’re presenting?
The argument should defend a group that is being oppressed
by another group.
Wake us up.
You are going to create something related to a genre known
as alternate reality gaming, or chaotic fiction, or transmedia storytelling.
The Wikipedia article for alternate reality games might be
helpful http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game.
And this article actually is a pretty good overview: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7045.pdf.
You will create a fictional narrative using metaphor to
address a real issue. It works,
essentially, like a digital scavenger hunt, where one clue leads to the
next. You have to create the nodes, with
clues, and lead your audience from one to the next, which may help us to
rethink the rhetorical triangle. Your own game projects need to include 6 nodes or six places that lead from
one to another.
In
communication networks, a node (Latin nodus, ‘knot’) is a connection point,
either a redistribution point or a communication endpoint (some terminal
equipment). The definition of a node depends on the network and protocol layer
referred to. A physical network node is an active electronic device that is
attached to a network, and is capable of sending, receiving, or forwarding
information over a communications channel.
You will have several self-determined qualities to your
final projects, but all of you must at
least use the following components, which can be split up among your group
members:
· A Manifesto,
a proclamation of your group’s beliefs and protests against whatever oppressive
group your contending with.
· A Video:
(I know, you’re totally freaking out right now, but it doesn’t have to be long
or complicated.)
You can use iMovie if
you’re a Mac person, Windows Movie Maker if you’re a PC person, or you can
capture video with Picassa which is free software, or even using your laptop’s
webcam through Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/my_webcam. You can also edit video with Youtube
here: http://www.youtube.com/editor.
· A Social Media site, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr, or whatever
else…
· A Document Design: A pdf, Word document, Google document, or something else.
· Some form of website, which might be a blog, which you’re familiar with
already. You can also create free
websites at wordpress.com, wix.com, moonfruit.com, yola.com, webs.com,
weebly.com, and sites.google.com, as well as other places.
· An e-mail account set up especially for this project.
· Two statistics to show that you’ve researched your issue enough to thoughtfully
engage with it.
Think about what you care about. Then, think about what resources your group
has and go from there.
Each student will write his or her own 500 word reflection paper detailing your
project’s rationale and process, which should accompany the final project and
will be due to me on midnight on the last day of class. Tell me what you did, why you did it, and how
it was working in a group. The
reflection does not have to be MLA
formatted this time. Use whatever
fonts you want!
The project will be shared with the class on the last day
of our course.
Your presentation of the project needs to include all five senses, and you should dress nicely.
And finally, have
fun with this project! That’s always
a goal of your education.
