Tag Archives: RMIT

Design Fiction

Posted on by under Networked Media, Theories, Theories and Philosophy

Startling Stories from the land of fiction. Photo: G. Crombrugg

Design Fiction has an important role to play in learning and enhancing our mind’s ability to adapt and create in the present and future. It can best be described, as Bruce Sterling said in this interview with Slate.com, as: “the deliberate use of diegetic prototypes to suspend disbelief about change”.

While this idea has been around for a while and has played a major role in the Sci-Fi genre over the years (Think 2001: A Space Oddyssey), the idea of incorporating design fiction in a pedagogical (educational) sense is something that is relatively new. There seems to be many arguments for utilising this sort of design in education. It teaches students the fundamentals concepts behind design, rather than teaching them the skills required to design. With these concepts, students are capable of designing and constructing medias and ideas well into the future. This is a perfect example of equipping individuals with the ability to adapt to change and any skills or disciplines they wish to partake in, rather than simply teaching them a skill-set that must be advanced when it expires, or is replaced by new technology.

Networked media at RMIT seems to allign very closely to the goals and reasoning behind design fiction. It’s obviously something that Adrian has looked into and watched closely.

After reading Matthew Ward’s, “Design Fiction as a Pedagogic Practice“, there was one point I took away that really stuck with me. I think it’s something that is important in all aspects of life if one is to be creatively free and possess freedom:

“1. All design is ideological

The social, cultural and political basis of those ideologies need to be exposed, interpreted and explored. In DF the ideological drive is laid bare for all to see. Deconstructing the economic and political underpinning of design is an essential skill to develop.”

The deconstruction and analysis of ideologies allows a proper understanding of why people act the way they do and why the world operates in the way it does. Understanding this allows you to break free of these boundaries and the shackles that are chained to your wrists and feet as a prisoner of society, and with this comes extraordinary creative freedom and possibility. That is not to say that ideologies are not important parts of society. They are. It is impossible to live without ideology. But it is important to understand and explore the possibilities that ideology presents.

Adrian Miles and Networked media aren’t the only things heading in this direction though. In my second semester (1st Year) at RMIT I have already been exposed to this idea of exploring and interpreting ideologies through the class Communication Histories and Technologies.

Aside from this idea, the other message that I am absorbing is to freely experiment and speculate. There’s no way to be innovative and creative without the freedom to speculate or explore new and untested ideas. There is a certain element of risk that needs to be accepted if one is to be creative.

The future of media and communication professionals seems to be pointing in a direction based around this sort of education and schools of thought. The people of the media will have a greater mental capacity for creativity and design that has never been experienced in such force. I’m excited to be part of this movement.

 

 

 

Trying New Things

Posted on by under Networked Media

Look, the future is friendly. Photo: Honda News

While I am certainly not the first to jump right into new things and I know that not all methods work for everyone, the systems in place for RMIT’s networked media course are definitely worth giving a shot. From what I work out the only catch is the premise that you only get out what you put in.

Understandably a lot of people are quite apprehensive and sceptical about the concepts being introduced, because it’s not something a lot of people are used to being part of. I think the key is replacing scepticism with speculatism(?).

Who knows, maybe Adrian really is crazy and we’ll all learn nothing. I doubt it though. So far, this course has already encouraged me to push my boundaries and try new things, it’s given me a new lease of education and what you can get out of it. And it’s only week 2. Let’s hope the rewards only get richer.

Double-Loop Learning and Relationships

Posted on by under Theories

I guess it’s sort of a link.. Photo: Pernilla Rydmark

Chris Argyris’ theories on Single-Loop and Double-Loop learning and his Model I and Model II are consistent with a number of ideas and thoughts which I have been exploring as of late. While these theories are conceptually designed to suit organisations, they are also entirely relevant to human relationships. Getting stuck in the habit of single-loop learning and using theories-in-use aligned with Model I has had a significant impact on the way in which I can creatively and emotionally grow and develop as a person, as I am sure it has for many people.

What caught me the most was the consequences noted for a Model I theory-in-use:

  • Defensive relationships
  • Low Freedom of Choice

After reading this, I felt a strong association between this theory and my own life and personality. The values that govern this model (win, do not lose and suppress negative feelings) are clear  indicators of an unhealthy method of solving problems and working through conflict and ones that I can relate to very much.

By actively attempting to take an approach to problem solving more consistent with the values from Model II, I hope to improve my creative and professional capabilities as well as my personal and emotional success in life.

The (un)Lecture?

Posted on by under The Unlectures

Building 80. Somewhat related. Photo: Pat M

What a strange concept and idea. A Lecture, that’s not a lecture. Why don’t we just stay home? Well, Adrian is a very convincing man, he’s got me. I’m very convinced. I am someone who has done well in the current education format in Australia, but I am also someone who hasn’t performed to their potential. Adrian has opened more doors for me that have been previously only left a-jar by distant dreams of changing education paradigms and education reforms.

I am glad that there are more people than I thought actively involved in advocating and pushing for alternative styles of learning. Employers wants employees who are fast thinking and creative, who can solve problems with ease and possess a range of skills. The problem is the current education system is not exactly accepting of this kind of person. Public education systems suppress creative and try and teach you what is right and what is wrong. They put the student at the bidding of their master (the lecturer, teacher or whatever trained educational drill-sergeant it happens to be) and create a power imbalance that is counteractive to creativity and motivation for the students.

I didn’t have a question to write down at today’s unlecture. Why didn’t I? Perhaps I was scared of what to say, perhaps I didn’t know what the question was meant to be about. The point is that I didn’t ask one, and what Adrian said is right. You should be able to come up with a simple (or complex) question to ask at the unlecture. There’s no way to learn if you are afraid of being wrong or if you are afraid to ask questions. I like the idea of the unlecture and look forward to more speculative discussions and question answering.

Disclaimer | Background image: Emma Gawen
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