Category: New Media

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iOS Code training

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As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am finally getting around to learning Objective C. It has been a few years since I have worked with a language like C. I knew it was time to rededicate myself to coding, however I was nervous that time away may has taken a bit of a toll on my skills. The brain is like a muscle in some regards. I am having to use parts of my brain I haven’t used in a long while. I guess I have focused too much on academic publishing instead of coding and pure development lately. When you combine that with programming within Continue reading “iOS Code training”

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Changing tenure and promotion standards – JITP Online Journal

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Finally, the article that I submitted on “Establishing a New Paradigm: The call to reform the tenure and promotion standards for digital media faculty” premiered today in the Journal of Interactive Technology and Pedagogy. The focus of the article is to illustrate the challenges facing digital media faculty as they march towards tenure and promotion, and present a case for reform of the current system. The article was a deeply personal research project for me as it chronicled my journey through the tenure system at LaGuardia.

The introduction for the journal prominently featured a brief editorial review of my article that was rather positive. “Establishing a New Paradigm” was described as showing “how the tenure and promotion processes for most faculty working and publishing with digital technologies are ill-suited to recognize, reward, and nurture the intellectual and scholarly activities that such academics must undertake to stay abreast of rapid changes in their fields”. I was elated that the editors thought that I argued “forcefully that the academy must adapt its employment structures to more explicitly support and reward precisely the type of work that lies at the heart of the other three pieces in this issue”. I have to admit that those words brought a smile to my face.

A digital copy of just my article on tenure and promotion reform can be found here in pdf format.

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The Periodic Program Review, or I’m down with PPR!

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Every five to seven years academic degree programs in the CUNY system have to undergo a process called a Periodic Program Review (PPR). The PPR is an in depth look at the academic major under review from a programmatic,  institutional, and industry wide perspective. The ultimate goal of the PPR is to begin an honest review of the program effectiveness which will then be used to help to guide the evolution of the major for the next five to seven years. Because I am the sole full time New Media faculty member, the research and drafting of the report for the LaGuardia New Media Technology program became  Continue reading “The Periodic Program Review, or I’m down with PPR!”

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New York Cine respects ‘da skills!

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The stars are aligning for a brother. I am having one of those weeks where everything aligns and the world just falls into place. In my 47 years on the planet it has happen only a handful of times. It is right up there with sex, love and old school hip-hop. I had a great meeting with a group of educators that I hope to be working with in the coming months. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Plus the interview that I done awhile back for the Film and Media web site, New York Cine, was finally released. I had forgotten that they sat me down to talk about the effects of torrenting and piracy on the film industry. Digital disruption at its finest. I plan to savor this ‘ish for as long as I can.


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iPad & iPhone Development Training

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Just got the word that I got accepted into a native iPad/iPhone app development course at Access Code NYC. I was one of the 20 people selected out of 200 applicants. I am psyched up because while I have developed some mobile apps using third party applications and frameworks like PhoneGap and Adobe AIR, this will be my first foray into native programming for Apple devices. Objective C here I come! Luckily I purchased a Mac Mini a few months back in preparation for a course like this one.

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Opening Sessions

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I always love the start of a new semester! I spent the morning at LaGuardia’s Opening Session for faculty and staff. The meeting is held every year and provides faculty and staff with an opportunity to hear about some of the key initiatives currently underway at LaGuardia.

However, despite my start of the semester anxiety, my article on digital scholarship was accepted by a respected journal. I have updated my class syllabi and revised my course materials. My powerpoint lecture slides are prepared for for the coming semester. And for the first time in too many months I am starting off a new semester with a smile.

THIS IS SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!

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My New Mac Mini is on the way


Since it has been at least 7 years since I have upgraded my Apple desktop system I finally decided it was time to pull the trigger on the new Mac Mini that Apple announced last week. I ordered my new setup from MacMall and it should arrive in the next few days. The miniature form factor of the mini is perfect for my desk, and the third generation Intel quad core processor will provide enough power for most basic multimedia tasks. After years of favoring Apple, I have been primarily working on PCs since this summer because certain software could not be run on my old Powermac Quad G5. However, while the transition was not as dreadful as I had expected because Windows 7 was better than Vista, I still I missed my mac environment and have been anxious to Continue reading “My New Mac Mini is on the way”

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……does whatever a spider can!

It was a pretty good day for me. I had a couple of really productive meetings followed by an opportunity to reconnect with an old passion of mine that I have neglected for far too long, podcasting. Thanks to a good friend of mine I was asked to participate in a podcast about the new Spider-man movie with the guys over at NewYorkCine. I was brought in for my expertise on all things related to Spider-man and comic nerdism/geekdom. Plus I was one of the few people on the panel that actually loved the new Spider-man reboot more than the Sam Raimi versions.

Big up to my boy Thomas Edward Seymour for the invite. I had a blast. Here is to hoping they ask me back to help review the new Chris Nolan Batman flick, The Dark Knight Rises, later this month.

The Spider-man podcast with my commentary can be found here:

If your browser does not support the audio element. Please access the podcast at:
http://newyorkcine.podbean.com/2012/07/10/new-york-cine-not-so-amazing-spider-man-27/

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You can check Continue reading “……does whatever a spider can!”