The subject of my dissertation is to make a cultural communication through internet links. Accurately speaking, it would be one expression of cultural spread on interactive media education. Limited by my capacity and influence, the practice will be restricted in a small scope and the mode to realize it will not be too complicated. However, I still feel it significant and worth a devotion.
In general, what I plan to do is to establish a stable cooperative relationship with one university and one high school in China, for the purpose of granting them the convenience to obtain information on iMedia education here.
2. The Implementation of my ideas
2.1 Setting up a website
When it comes to details, firstly, I will set up a website mainly on iMedia education in our university, including introductions of our courses, relevant essays and homework, and videos on professors’ lectures, our presentations and discussions, and so on.
The application of techniques in this part:
Videos of professors’ lectures will be edited in Final Cut, where the lower third should be added for non native speakers to facilitate the understanding of the content;
Figure1: Add a lower third for the lecture
The use of Photoshop to create cartoon figures
When students watch the video of a professor, it is very likely for them to search for more information related, therefore brief introductions of professors are necessary. To inspire students’ passion of the course and animate the website, the descriptions will be displayed as visual as possible. Here I will pay attention to the cartoon figures as representatives of professors. The figure below is just a vulgar example. The cartoon figures on doors in IDC building are fantastic and exactly capture the characteristics of each professor. I hope to have the opportunity to learn this technique and create figures myself. It is quite interesting to think of characteristics, where sweet face and artistic beard are most prominent for Luigina and Mikael respectively.
Figure2: An example of cartoon figures
The use of flash to present works of art of current iMedia students in UL, including photos, movies and websites. The purpose is to evoke imaginations of potential students and let them to reflect on them.
Figure3: Use flash to present works of current students
2.2 Inserting my links to Chinese websites
Then I’ll try to achieve an agreement with some colleges and high schools on inserting my links to their websites. I’ll renew resources in my website timely and just through a click, they could know the simultaneous information of our education here.
The figure below is the website of Shandong University in China. After negotiation I wish to add the tag “iMedia in UL ” at the end of the menu bar, which has been circled out in the picture.
Figure4: Add links to websites of Chinese Universities
2.3 Contact Information
Additionally, I’ll leave our contact information (see Figure5) on the website so that they could communicate with us on topics they feel interested in or questions they meet with. Microsoft Entourage will be automatically started when users click the email or MSN messenger on
Contact Webpage. (see Figure6)Figure5: Webpage of contact (example)
Figure6: Webpage that produces when click the email or MSN
2.4 More Interactivity
Last but not least, I will open up a new field called “More Suggestions” (shown in orange circle) to increase the interactivity on the website, where users can upload their own suggestions about iMedia modules and reflections of the website as were shown in the picture. Moreover, other users can add tags such as “I support it” or “I oppose it” to other’s suggestions, or leave a comment in Shoutbox (shown in blue circle). The tags are also illustrated in images visually (shown in red circle).
Figure7: Webpage of “More Suggestions” (example)
3. The Motivation to choose this Subject
There has always been a power motivating me to do this job since I first stepped on this island country. After graduation from my university in China, I chose to seek further education abroad and luckily enough I got the opportunity. I’m conscious how precious it is for me, which not only helps open my horizon but also learn world-leading knowledge. As my valuable experience is both the result and reflection of the culture communications between China and Ireland, I feel obliged to do some contributions in return. What’s more, In China there are still many students dreaming to have the chance to study abroad and learn what universities are overseas. However, not every one can enjoy it, and that is another reason that promotes me to do something for them.
In China, Interactive Media, as a newborn thing, has developed for just few years. And it breaks into university classes until recently. Compared with such courses in Europe, iMedia in China’s universities are just at the preliminary stage. Therefore, it is vital for Chinese people to learn some advanced measures and philosophies from developed countries. After half a year’s study, I am greatly impressed by the creative and free style of lessons here, which forms a sharp contrast to that of China. So I consider it meaningful to introduce our lessons to China universities for them to absorb some nutrition.
And why high schools? Frankly speaking, education in current China is still at a developing level. Students in high school make every effort only for the entrance of university, and all attentions are focused on courses contained in the entrance examination. Scores are the only indicator to test a student’s qualification, with personalization and creativity depressed. I hope through the description of iMedia education in our university, on one hand, they will form an interest in this major, on the other hand, they may draw an impression that learning could be such a happy experience. Through the process their personality may be liberated as well.
The website is just a plan and I am clear that there is still a long way to reach my target. However, I’ll stick to it, with a heart of thanksgiving and in the hope of more cultural communications between two countries.
