[vet-mm] re: 2006 exam

Wed Nov 15 16:01:01 EST 2006

I agree that the same importance should be given to visual design as it
is what engages the target audience, sure scripting makes it work but it
is the visual design that makes us think, respond, inquire and question!
Multimedia is a visual vehicle. Do designers need to know scripting or
do they only design? It should be a balance between both. I think that
scripting is a critical aspect of the course and should be encouraged.
Students need to be aware of both aspects, what makes good visual design
and how good  visual design works in terms of interactivity. Strong
visual design should involve scripting as it allows students to grasp
the possibilities of what mm can be. Other wise we would be all creating
derived works.

Cheers Dean

Dean Pearman
Visual Arts Educator 
Caulfield Grammar School 
Caulfield Campus
PO Box 610, Elsternwick
Victoria 3185
[t] 9524 6295
[f] 9524 6231
[e] deanpearman at caulfieldgs.vic.edu.au

-----Original Message-----
From: ARNOTT Suzanne [mailto:SA at emc.vic.edu.au] 
Sent: Wednesday, 15 November 2006 3:50 PM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: RE: [vet-mm] re: 2006 exam

I agree Claire...
I know two new teachers who did multimedia courses...have MM
qualifications  and yet are not confident at all with the scripting
areas of it.... I was really surprised, as I thought it would have been
a much bigger part of the course... given the emphasis in CERT III.
Given the visual nature of the products multimedia students create there
should be more emphasis on it... I guess coming from an arts background
I know I have to really think about the programming and scripting side
of stuff, where the visual stuff comes more naturally... but we should
be focussing on balance, both in production and assessment. Thanks for
your input too Matt... great thoughts :) Cheers Suz

Suzanne Arnott
Assistant Manager of ICT
Photography and Multimedia Coordinator
Elisabeth Murdoch College
Langwarrin

-----Original Message-----
From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of claire
Sent: Wednesday, 15 November 2006 3:14 PM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [vet-mm] re: 2006 exam

Matt,
Interesting to hear the thoughts of someone in the industry, fairly
recently qualified in MM. 
When this topic has come up at VCAA briefings etc (and it has many
times) the answer we are given is that the modules/competencies included
in VCE VET MM reflect the requirements and needs of industry (and
therefore, so does the structure of exam and assessment). 
I guess it depends on who you talk to in the industry! 
It's good to hear other points of view.
Claire Bloom
Warrandyte High

> Matt Ward <ezine at youthcentral.vic.gov.au> wrote:
> 
> I never had the chance to study multimedia in high school, nor am I a 
> teacher teaching multimedia, so this years exam does not affect me 
> personally, but I wanted to share my thoughts on some good points
Peter
> raised.
> 
>  
> 
> I completed my adv diploma in interactive multimedia a couple of years

> ago
> at Victoria University. I commenced the course not having any prior 
> knowledge of design or programming ability other than what I had
taught
> myself over countless nights in front of the computer at home. What
was
> surprising was the level of expectation of already acquired design
> skills
> elsewhere. The design part (all aspects of good design and visual
> aesthetics) was really not touched on throughout the entire course. 
> Well,
> aspects were covered, but no where near enough that I felt qualified &
> confident enough to apply for a job afterward under the title of a 
> designer.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Incidentally, I am now doing Computer Science at RMIT, because while I

> felt
> that my while my design skills weren't bad, my programming was
certainly 
> my
> strength.
> 
>  
> 
> Design should never be under-estimated. It is an area that is
essential 
> to
> multimedia. Without design knowledge, you will always be stuck in the
> rut of
> producing run of the mill - ordinary work, regardless of how polished 
> the
> back-end may be. I have seen it many times now, that the people who
make
> excellent multimedia artists and those who have a solid understanding
of
> design (coming from graphic/visual arts background) and can also adapt

> to
> the programmatic side as well.
> 
>  
> 
> So to hear that only 1/5 of assessable material is design related is a

> bit
> disappointing. I not having any design theory on the exam is even more

> of a
> shame. It sends the message that design isn't important, which is
wrong.
> 
>  
> 
> My 2 cents worth anyway
> 
>  
> 
> Matt Ward
> 
> Interactive Designer
> 
> Youthcentral, Department for Victorian Government
> 
>
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Multimedia Mailing List kindly supported by http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au -
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