Course Development
PRISMA is both developing and teaching interdisciplinary coursework, and through this ongoing activity, finding the path to a new student-centered pedagogical model for interdisciplinary innovation approaches to media art.
The knowledge produced in this research project is constitutive of the course development, and it involves everything from reading and discussing pedagogical theories to the practicalities and infrastructural planning for such courses to be possible. Our main concern is to develop a pedagogical approach to interdisciplinary innovation work that can be transferable to other areas and disciplines within higher education across Kristiania and beyond. PRISMA aims to anchor and quality assure the new interdisciplinary approach at relevant educational institutions, through international collaboration with leading schools and professionals who can strengthen us in our work in this area.
This collaborative rationale is designed to permeate all study programs at the Westerdals Department of Film and Media (WIFM), with a focus on educational innovation across disciplines, where research and development make it possible to be at the forefront of the relationship between industry and research-based education.
PRISMA’s pedagogical approach to interdisciplinary innovation work
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Interdisciplinary cooperation
Approaching problems and solutions through various disciplinary prisms increases the possibility of thinking in new ways. PRISMA is dedicated to creating new forms of cooperation that challenge traditional chronological and hierarchical conventions, which often position one student group as subordinate to another. Our model ensures that base ideas can originate just as easily from a 3D designer or sound designer as from a screenwriter or director. By rethinking entrenched principles of audiovisual collaboration, our learning system emphasizes the knowledge production and opportunities that arise when different disciplines work together with mutual respect.
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Innovation
Our pedagogical model focuses on innovation as a thematic framework, building on our Institute vision of creating tomorrow's audiovisual reality today. Our goal is to cultivate "innovation competence" across all study programs, equipping students with the expertise needed for future development in the creative field. We promote an interdisciplinary approach that also emphasizes civic engagement, with a concrete social mission and specific challenges to address. By facilitating a safe and open-minded space, we aim to develop a hub for new ways of thinking and to promote working methods and formats that will ensure sustainable and inclusive innovation.
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Student-centeredness
At PRISMA, we aim to rethink the traditional division of roles between academic staff and students, beyond the strong master-apprentice traditions that exist in the art field. Our approach positions students as the primary producers of knowledge, while educators focus on constructing a learning system that facilitates this process. We intend to solidify and ensure a common didactic to student-centered learning, where both staff and students engage side by side with a curious and investigative attitude towards processes and results. This philosophy enables us to create unique learning paths and cultivate forward-thinking, actively participating students.
Pedagogical track
PRISMA develops several new joint courses that gather all six study programs at WIFM in interdisciplinary innovation work. This common pedagogical track is grounded on the idea that the students' first year builds competence for the interdisciplinary collaboration that comes midway. In the final year, students can make use of the perspective shift the pioneering work has generated.
The main courses included in our development and evaluation plan are:
IMPACT 1 - First semester
IMPACT 2 - Second semester
IMPACT 3 - Third semester
Media Art Innovation Lab - Fourth semester
Interdisciplinary courses
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IMPACT 1
IMPACT 1 is the first introductory course in our joint pedagogical track. This is a four-week interdisciplinary course led by Rune Obrestad for all first-year students at WIFM. IMPACT 1 runs every year during the fall semester.
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IMPACT 2
IMPACT 2 is a three-day workshop with a focus on worldbuilding methods. It brings together students from all WIFM study programs to work in interdisciplinary groups and create exciting new worlds across multiple media and platforms.
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IMPACT 3
IMPACT 3 is a two-day workshop with a focus on peer feedback methods. It brings together students from all WIFM study programs to build a feedback culture together, and to train on giving and receiving constructive feedback.
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Media Art Innovation Lab
The Media Art Innovation Lab is a large joint course that acts as a laboratory for innovation, new ways of thinking, and collaborative methods, allowing students to explore innovative and experimental approaches in the field of media art.
