Course Name: NMD 200, Designing Humane Tech,  3 credits
Meeting: Estabrook 130, T/TH 2-3:15
Instructors: Prof Joline Blais  & Billy Giordano (TA)
Tools: Website, Slack, ZOOM
Office Hours:
— Prof Blais: Tues/Thurs 12:30-1:45 (248 Boardman or Estabrook);  Wed 3-5 (Zoom);  Slack anytime
— Lab 138 Boardman: T/TH 3:30-5 pm

Description

NMD 200 Designing Humane Tech is a project-based class that focuses on the goals and impacts of New Media technologies. Students practice skills from New Media foundation courses like graphics, creative coding, video, and photography.  Topics include how design choices respond to and influence our bodies, our communities including our political and economic structures, and our ecological systems. We will explore humane design choices that enable us to create a healthier and more sustainable world.

We’ll use Permaculture Ethics and Principles as a guide to evaluate and design tech that promotes Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. We will also explore the 12 Permaculture Design Principles as an eco-literate design guide for creating wealth for planet, people, and communities

Disclaimer

In order to best accommodate student projects and course goals, the format, schedule or content for this course may be modified. In addition, student input may alter the content and direction of our work. In such case, changes will be made directly to this online syllabus, with in-class announcements.

Learning Objectives

Recognize critical issues relevant to design and evaluation of New Media technology.

• Practice key media skills in photography, graphics, audio, video web and creative coding
• Learn to incorporate eco-literate design in your creative and technical work
• Apply best practices design strategies to create work leading to a healthy sustainable world that reflects your values.
• Think critically & creatively about benefits and dangers of the New Media technologies you are exploring and how their use influences cultural, political and eco/nomic outcomes.
• Give helpful peer feedback in discussion and writing, work in peer environments, and collaborate in teams.
• Create a portfolio for aggregating your work across New Media courses.
• Publish your work and projects in your own portfolio, to improve career prospects

Feedback

Part of your class/lab grade depends on your contribution to the class and to your peers. Credit comes from both in-class/lab comments, Slack feedback, and WordPress assignment comments. Practice giving honest, helpful and supportive feedback.  A simple model is to say what you genuinely appreciate and then mention something that isn’t working so well for you or that confuses you. Invite the other person to improve.

I am impressed and give credit for BOTH giving & getting substantial help from peers (tell me via Slack).

Intelligence is a social (and interspecies) thing.  Listen, share, collaborate to be smart.

Tutoring

Tutoring is available for a wide range of UMaine courses using the tutor matching platform Knack. To meet with a UMaine peer tutor, go to UMaine Knack and sign up with your MaineStreet account. During signup, there will also be an opportunity to download the Knack app for apple or android. Using the Knack app, you will be able to select the course in which you want tutoring and then select a tutor. You will communicate with the tutor through the Knack app to arrange a time and location for your tutoring session.
For more information or with questions, contact: Office of Student Academic Success in 104 Dunn Hall, or call 207-581-2351.

Readings/Videos & Quizzes

In this class, your homework begins with readings/videos and a simple quiz, which you do Monday before class. This makes sure all of us share some common material, concepts, and ideas to discuss and with which to create our tasks, prep and projects. Quizzes are 10 questions, 60 minute, open book/web, and social.  

Tasks–In Class/Lab

Students will work on tasks in class or Lab—alone and with peers—to build skills needed for bi-weekly Projects. Some of these in-class tasks may have an “exit ticket” allowing you to leave class once you finish, and/or stay longer if you’d like support or feedback.

Projects–On Campus

Every two weeks, you will work on one kind of new media project that will build your digital media skills and produce a portfolio piece. You will begin with a Prep assignment in the first week, then revise and update this as your Project in the second week. For more info see the list of Projects.

Final Portfolio

Your final project, which you will work on throughout the semester, is a personal WordPress Portfolio that showcases your work. Since this work is public, make sure you focus on projects and tools that matter to you. 

How To Thrive

1. Show Up & Do the Work
Missing work = zero. That hurts your grade fast—so keep up and turn things in, even if not perfect.  A 65 grade will NOT lower your grade as much as a 0.

2. Freebies = Lifelines
Life happens. You get 1 chance to turn in late work, no excuse needed. Your second late project gets docked 5% per day late.  Try not to use this, it’s for unusual circumstances.

3. Absences Add Up
You get 2 free absences. After that, each one drops your attendance grade by 5 points (out of 100). No distinction between excused/unexcused—you’re in charge of managing your time.

Grade Breakdown

• 20% Class/Lab Participation, Attendance & In-Class Tasks & Prep
• 60% Biweekly Projects (you get to raise/make up 1 Project)
• 20% Weekly Quizzes (based on assigned readings/videos; you get to drop 1 lowest quiz grade)
• All make up work must be completed before Thanksgiving so it can be graded in a timely way.

Grade Descriptions

A = Outstanding
Above-and-beyond effort, strong work, active help to/from peers, clear growth.
B = Very Good
Met all expectations, showed effort and thoughtful input, supported others.
C = Just OK
Did the basics, little extra effort or class contribution.
D = Slipping
Work mostly incomplete, little learning or engagement, low scores.
F = Checked Out
Missing or failing most work. No signs of effort or progress.

Bottom Line:
It’s easy to pass with steady effort. It’s also easy to fail if you check out. Stay engaged, do the work, and ask for feedback or advice if you need it—we’re here to help you thrive.

SUCCESS CHECKLIST

Being present with focused attention on your work and your classmates is key.

Show Up, Speak Up
Be in class, on time, and ready to participate. Attendance counts toward your grade.

Do the Work—On Time
Turn in assignments by the posted deadlines. Partial work is better than none.

Revise & Improve
Low grades? If you turn in work time, you may get 1-2 chances to revise or replace them—stay on top of your work.

Communicate Early
Missing class or struggling? Tell me ASAP. I’ll help if you show effort and responsibility.

Respect Matters
Listen actively. Speak thoughtfully. Support diverse perspectives.

Stay Focused
No phones out during class. Don’t multitask unrelated work on your laptop—do use it to expand your engagement with class work.

Be Ready to Work
Bring your laptop or necessary tools—phones alone won’t cut it for in class work. Use your phone when required for tasks or fieldwork.

Use Your Resources
Take advantage of TA office hours, tutors, labs, equipment, and campus support services.

Life Happens—Talk to Me
Illness? Family duties? Reach out early. I won’t grade based on personal setbacks, but I need to know to support you.

UMaine Policies

Covid 19:  For more information see Black Bears Care Pact: https://umaine.edu/return/black-bears-care/
And:  UMaine Covid 19 policy

• Academic Honesty
• Students Accessibility Services Statement
• Course Schedule Disclaimer
• Observance of Religious Holidays/Events
• Sexual Discrimination Reporting

Additional Policies

• Student Conduct Expectations
• Classroom Civility
• Inclusive and Non-sexist Language
• Copyright Notice for Materials Accessible through the Course Website
• Contingency Plans in the Event of an Epidemic