KMDI - Knowledge Media Design Institute
Knowledge media are building blocks of a knowledge society
Curriculum
KMD Courses of Instruction
A group of courses organized by theme forms the basis of the Collaborative Program. The following are general descriptions. Individual offerings, or editions, of these courses will emphasize particular aspects of the study theme. Not all KMD 2000 series electives will be offered in any given year. Check the current courses for specific course descriptions and current course offering.
KMD1001H Knowledge Media Design: Fundamental Concepts, and
KMD1002H Knowledge Media Design: Contexts and Practices
Formerly offered as a single Y course, these comprise the core seminar of the Program. They may be taken independently of each other, but KMD Collaborative Program students are required to complete both. These two courses review the emerging field of knowledge media design, and the use of new media for communication, collaboration, and coordination. With lectures by faculty who are leading researchers in the design of knowledge media the course explores the boundaries between traditional domains of knowledge and inquire into the ways in which these domains intersect in the design of knowledge media. Course readings address theoretical, methodological and research issues across the cross-disciplinary spectrum of knowledge media design. Topics include human-centred design; knowledge media technologies; the cultural and social impacts of knowledge media; use of knowledge media for learning and knowledge building; applications and examples of knowledge media; and the future of knowledge media.
KMD2001H Human-centred Design
An approach to design grounded in the understanding the real-world practices of users and user communities. Includes traditional design practices, visual literacy and the design science of human-computer interaction, graphics, and information visualization. Specific design practices include: ecological design, participatory design, user-centered design, contextual design, etc. A variety of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methodologies are covered in the context of a usability engineering and user-centred approach.
KMD2002H Technologies for Knowledge Media
The technologies and technical infrastructure required to construct and use knowledge media including Internet programming languages and environments, hypermedia, database technologies, and multimedia environments. This course emphasizes a socio-technical approach to technology design, and methodologies to critically evaluate existing technologies and their application. Case studies in areas such as electronic commerce and online training are evaluated in terms of their use of tools such as webcasting, immersion environments, and instant messaging. Applications in wireless, ubiquitous computing, and collaboration technologies arel also be covered.
KMD2003H Knowledge Media & Learning
The application of information and communication technologies (ICT) to knowledge building, problem solving, planning, education across the lifespan and for workplace-based training. A specific emphasis is placed on knowledge management, distributed learning, use of multimedia and collaborative environments. A unique focus on learning and using complex software for intelligence augmentation (IA) and to bridge a variety of digital divides in which barriers are economic, physical, cognitive, and/or social is emphasized. Accessibility and knowledge media to support learning for people with disabilities is covered within the context of universal interface design and access.
KMD2004H Knowledge Media, Culture & Society
This course analyses the interplay between technology and society drawing attention to the ways in which social and cultural institutions and processes simultaneously shape and are shaped by technological developments. A variety of theoretical and analytical perspectives from sociology, communications, information studies, political science and cultural studies are used to explore topics such as: the nature of the Knowledge Society, the role of media, public policy in an innovation culture, the changing nature of community, work and employment, the balance of public and private good, privacy, and intellectual property.
KMD3000H Readings in Knowledge Media
Under special circumstances students may pursue an independent course of study in some aspect or application of Knowledge Media Design. The course design and curriculum would be determined in consultation with a KMDI Faculty member who is well-versed in the area. This instructor must be an SGS-appointed KMDI Faculty member and the course must be approved by the Program Committee. Students pursuing this option will typically be well-qualified PhD candidates for whom an exemption from the regular KMD 2000 series electives is justified.
Supplemental Courses
Affiliate
A number of courses are offered by our collaborating units that are relevant to study in the KMD CP and may count as electives in the Collaborative Program. See the list of affiliate courses.
Research Methods
Students of KMD may be interested in a range of research methods courses available among our collaborators and other graduate departments across campus. See the list of qualitative and quantitative research methods courses.
Copyright © 2006 KMDI, a research institute in the School of Graduate
Studies, University of Toronto.
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