The new term

[James]

Hi

I have a few questions about the new term:

1 What date is the first session?

2 Have you had much interest from new students?

3 If you are running year one for new students should our work be public for them to copy?!

Cheers

[James]

Hi - I thought I would bring this post back to the top - any news?
Cheers

[David]

James - I meant to reply to this earlier but missed it.

1. Teaching begins on Monday 27th September, which means that your first session ought to be Wednesday 29th. There is, however, an even posibility that teaching proper won't start until the following week. I'll keep you posted on this but the 29th is the earliest.

2. Yes, I'm waiting for confirmation from Terry and it's always difficult to know exactly how many will actually turn up until teaching starts :rolleyes: but what I think I can say with a reasonable degree of certainty is that there will be more students this year than in your year (nothing is ever certain).

3. There will be no reason for new students to copy your work. Each year is sufficiently different from the previous and, of course, we'd spot anything like that. It is true to say that they will be helped by your pioneering work - "shoulders of giants" and all that ;)

[francis]

Hi

We received our joining instructions for next year in the post. Under "courses" there's:

16971 DESI 1052 Web Thesis Project
14253 ???? 1008 No course choice(s) made - AC

Is this anything to worry about?

[David]

Nothing to worry about. That's the problem with automated systems - they just HAVE to do it. The situation is that the programme is designed with an option in year 2. But, you don't have that option. As discussed in our end of year meeting, the missing course will be the Web Art/Design course thingy.

[Shushan]

Hiya

I was just wondering if our first day back in class has been confirmed as Wednesday 29th September 2004 or will teaching begin the following week on Wednesday 6th October 2004? :)


Shushan

[David]

Shu and all

First day of teaching will indeed be Wednesday 29th September 2004 and the session will start at 2pm. I don't have information on what we call "rooming" at the moment, so meet at the School office reception.

Terry should be writing to you with details and you will receive a letter in the next few days. In the event of a clash of information, Terry's letter takes precedence.

[Ronald Ng]

Terry wrote to me:-



your Web Art course will be between 10.00 and 13.00 on
Wednesdays in the Digital Studio.

This will be followed by a short briefing session on
your project.

Terry McDonald
Programme Director.

This is very problematic for me as I will not be free between 10am and 1pm on wednesdays. I applied to this course with the knowledge that it will be every wednesday afternoon.

What do the others think?

[David]

Ron and others. We had every intention of sticking with Wednesday afternoon. It would certainly have been better for us too. I know this will be unpopular but we are in a difficult position in terms of the timetable and those who will be teaching Net Art. Wednesday morning was the only realistic option.

I am concerned that this decision has come so late and, on behalf of the School, I apologise for this. I do know that you all lead very busy lives and that such a late change of plan may be difficult to accommodate.

[francis]

Mmm, this isn't a good time at all. I can't speak for my two colleagues, but as far as I'm concerned, it's far from ideal in terms of cutting up my working day. Also, what letter from Terry?

[Shushan]

Ive spoken to my manager at work and they have agreed to let me have Wednesday mornings off for Net Art but, I will have to leave Net Art class at 13.00pm sharp in order to return back to the office by 2.30pm

If you are considering to change Net Art class to another day, i cannot do;

Monday, Thursday, Friday.

Will Net Art classes run from September - January 2005? After we have completed the Net Art unit, will we still be required to attend class as we work on the Web Thesis Project?

[David]

I am assured that Terry has written to you with details. I am also hoping that he'll be able to post information on the forum very soon and that the precise arrangements for the Web Thesis Project will also be posted.

[James]

I think it will be OK for us Francis.

Leave TW at 9, back at work by 2. Just means we are away in the morning instead of the afternoon.

[Tom]

I am sorry if it was not made clear at the outset but from the University point of view it is pretty well inevitable that the second year will be at a different time from the first year (1) the same staff are likely to be involved (2) we always allow for full time students who do the first and second years of the PT mode simultaneously.

[francis]

I guess the morning will be okay but the sessions cannot overrun. It didn't matter previously if they overran as it was our own time that it went into, but now every extra minute is in my company's time.

[James]

Francis - chill a bit.

You work very very hard at work and put in loads of extra hours so there's no question of you not working your 35 hour minimum. And I'm sure work will accept that timetables change.

I know your department is (understandably) more picky about timekeeping but they must remember that this university course is benefitting AXA too. All three of us have applied our learning for the benefit of the intranet and therefore AXA's bottom line.

Just my opinion anyway.

Cheers :)

[James Glasheen]

I'm fine with Wednesday morning.

Unfortunately I can't make the 29 September because I'm on a training course for work. What will I be missing if the lesson is at 2pm but the NetArt is in the morning?

When does the NetArt course start and what is being covered at the afternoon class on the 29th?

[James]

Can someone let us know exactly what Terry's letter said because Francis, James and I didn't get it.

Cheers.

[francis]

According to Ron's post, we're in the digital studio. Is that the room with the PCs in that we started off in last year? If so, unless we need to use the computers and/or there are no students working in there at the same time, isn't conducive to learning. Is there no chance of getting a better room?

[David]

As far as I understand it, you will be in the room opposite the one we started in last year (T202 I think it is called). If I seem rather vague about this, it's because I did not make the arrangements and so all this is second hand. I was really hoping that Terry would have contacted you all to resolve any "unknowns".

As far as I am aware, you will be taught the Net Art course with a group of Digital and Graphic Design students. I have spoken with the course co-ordinator and explained your background and your requirements. The course should, therefore be somewhat tailored for you - although with joint teaching, there may need to be some compromises. All I can do is pass on the information.

I can't be there at 10am tomorrow but I will be there sometime after 11am so I will come and see how you are getting on and you can raise any issues with me at that time.

Once again, I apologise for the lack of adequate communication.

[Phil]

You're not in the room you started off in last year (T205), you're in the one on the other side of the corridor (T202). This is actually two spaces; the central area where the machines are (10 Macs, 10 PCs) and the area overlooking the park which is more of a tutorial type space.

Kasia Molga is taking Net Art, I believe, so I guess she'll disperse you how she thinks fit. The space is all yours for the time slot. Kasia can lock the door if she wants to keep people out (or keep you in).

You're doing this course with 2nd year BA 3D Graphic / Digital Designers.

[David]

Thanks for that Phil. I spoke to Nickie Hirst (the course co-ordinator) last Thursday and she was planning to brief Kasia (who I understand is very good) about what was required. My understanding is that this may be a more "hands on" experience than you are used to and that's no bad thing.