Defining the Digital: Symposium

How has the digital encouraged new means of creative expression in applied technologies? What affordances have evolutions in the digital realm provided for teaching and learning? Which digital skills support creativity? And which creative strategies are best suited to digital innovation?

In support of the North Space relaunch, Humber Galleries is organizing an inaugural symposium that will engage faculty members, students and guests in a critical discussion on definitions of the digital contemporary.

As part of the event, enjoy the social and academic commentary of keynote speaker Michael Longford, an Associate Professor in Digital Media at York University, and acting Director of Sensorium: Centre for Digital Arts & Technology. His most recent project “Tentacles” was included in the 2011 exhibition, Talk to Me: Design and Communication between People and Objects at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

This event is organized by Humber Galleries.

Defining the Digital Symposium - Full Schedule

9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Registration & Coffee

9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks

9:45 -10:40 a.m. Keynote Speaker - Michael Longford

Media Architecture: Digital Placemaking in 21st Century Cities

Michael Longford, is an Associate Professor in Digital Media at York University, and acting Director of Sensorium: Centre for Digital Arts & Technology. His most recent project “Tentacles” was included in the 2011 exhibition, Talk to Me: Design and Communication between People and Objects at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

10:45 - 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:25 p.m. Panel Discussion 1

Computer technology: Form vs. function
Moderated by Dr. Kris Alexander, PhD. – Faculty School of Media Studies Information Technology.

Computer technologies come in many shapes and sizes, for example, mobile apps, digital gaming, and augmented reality, but what is the purpose of these computer technologies, what is the core function of their integration? This panel will not only explore the computer technologies used by attending speakers and participants, but why we use them and their role teaching and learning environments?

12:35 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break

1:30 - 2:25 p.m. Panel Discussion 2

Digital technology: Barriers to adoption and the challenges faced
Moderated by Steve Bellamy, PhD – Dean of the School of Creative and Preforming Arts.

The purpose of this panel is to talk about the more challenging aspects of digital technology such as functionality, access, usability, and expense? This panel discussion will focus on these challenges, but also the ways in which we evaluate the adoption of digital technologies, test, and learn from them. What are the barriers or challenges have you have faced using digital technology in your practice? Are there any assumptions you have made about using digital technology? How have you tested or researched the use of digital technology in your role? How did this testing/research effect how you ended up using the digital technology?

2:30 - 2:45 p.m. Closing Remarks

2:45 - 4:30 p.m. Demonstrations & Tour

HIVES Tour and SMILE Demonstration by Richard Mitchell
Professor of Mathematics - Liberal Arts and Sciences

Observe a HIVES class and demonstration of math professor Richard Mitchell’s SMILE technology (Synchronous Mobile Interactive Learning Environment). Tours would leave directly from the North Space to the HIVES class room - F305. From 3:00pm to 3:15pm you can watch class in session and interact with students. From 3:15 to 3:30 Richard will demonstrate the specific uses of these technologies without students, and finally from 3:30pm to 4:15pm there would be the opportunity to discuss these technologies with Richard in the HIVES classroom.

Eye Tracker Demonstration by George Paravantes
Program Coordinator Multimedia Design and Development - SMSIT

Eye tracking is a sensor technology that enables a device to know exactly where your eyes are focused. It determines your presence, attention, focus, drowsiness, consciousness or other mental states. This information can be used to gain deep insights into consumer behaviour or to design revolutionary new user interfaces across various devices.

Demonstration by Electromechanical Engineering students

Students will showcase two graduate class projects from the Industrial Data Communication course.

Registration is free and we encourage everyone to register even if you cannot attend the full day of events.

*Light refreshments will be served throughout the day, however lunch will not be provided for this event.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this event, please contact Ashley Watson, Humber Galleries Curator.