abstract: Research in fulfillment of the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in performance has included CD recording projects, commissions of new pieces, as well as papers on existing pieces that push the performer beyond traditional playing by incorporating extended techniques, multimedia, technology, or movement. This study attempts to synthesize these ideas by commissioning a new work for clarinet and electronics that can be performed alone, combined with movement, or with an interactive video accompaniment. Primary work for this project has been the audio recording, music video, and live dance performance of the new work, entitled Agents of Espionage, which can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAZ20kCb0Qg or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94- C7wWTeKs&context;=C4063fdcADvjVQa1PpcFPv1fBtuWcqgV638q_BRacH7 XWR-xy1B7A=. The entirety of the project, including creating the music, video, audio recordings, and dance was completed on a limited budget of under $500USD, using all student performers and creators. The accompanying written document outlines the various steps for completing each portion of the project, interviews with the artists involved, including Zachary Bramble, composer; Jason Mills, videographer; and Jacquelyn Achord, choreographer; and an analysis of the music from the performer's perspective. This paper should convey ideas about how future undertakings of this sort are possible. This work has been greatly inspired by Martin Fröst and his collaboration with Fredrik Hogberg on the piece The Invisible Duet. / Dissertation/Thesis / D.M.A. Music 2012

The central purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether users have distinct preferences for specific navigational patterns in multimedia: that is preferences for moving through multimedia. Subsidiary questions are whether users have preferences for working strategies, (the mental approach to investigating software) whether these preferences are similar for specific groups and whether these preferences are affected by the software's system and navigational design. Four groups were investigated within two ranges: children to adults, and novices to experts. The literature review revealed four different perspectives of investigating navigation: user, designer, pedagogy and human computer interaction and although this research concentrates on the first two perspectives the other two are integral and of equal importance. Two empirical studies elicited the navigational information. The first studied pairs of children undertaking set tasks in multimedia, and demonstrated that although each pair had definite preferences, each group did not utilise the full pattern range discerned from the observations, literature review and multimedia package analysis. The second study was redesigned using individual adults to ascertain the full range of preferred patterns in use. The essential element from the investigations was the wide range of variation between individuals and within groups. There was a gradual progression in their range and speed using these patterns, related to their skills, abilities and experience, and each individual could be placed along a continuum. Topologies of the multimedia packages and diagrams of the fit of the navigation patterns were included. Finally an expert panel was convened to verify the pattern range and their comments supported the new classification. The research outcomes included navigational patterns and working strategies classifications, future techniques for designers, and user methods. These will create more successful and informed multimedia, and forward developments and improvements in the design of high quality user preference software.

The present study investigated Libyan preparatory school English teachers' attitudes to, willingness to use, and familiarity with YouTube as a potential teaching tool. The methodology followed a survey design of twenty-five Likert-scale questions and four mixed-type questions. For the purpose, 124 teachers were randomly selected out of a population of 1,170 preparatory school teachers at 150 schools in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. The result revealed that the participants had positive attitudes to and willingness to use YouTube applications as a beneficial tool for teaching the English language in Libya. On the other hand, participants' level of familiarity with YouTube applications did not match their generally positive perceptions of the affordances of YouTube. They recognized their own lack of computer skills and emphasized the need for special training in order to be able to become effective implementers of YouTube and multimedia resources in general. Overall, participants recognized the importance of using technology in their classrooms and the benefits of YouTube as a potential learning resource for the educational system in Libyan schools. Their enthusiasm was not related to their age or marital status. That is, beyond age differences or marital status, participants demonstrated an open mindedness towards the adoption of multimedia technology in their teaching. These results have direct implications for the adoption of multimedia technology in Libyan schools. They show that Libyan teachers are not outsiders to the general tendencies in our contemporary world, where technological innovations are changing the way we teach and learn. However, the results also suggest that Libyan teachers need training in computer assisted language learning, access to computers and Internet in order to be able to embrace the challenges of the 21st century.

Trata-se de uma pesquisa do tipo descritivo/exploratório. Analisa a multimídia interativa como recurso no ensino de semiologia para o Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem. A metodologia adotada teve duas etapas. Inicialmente buscamos o perfil dos entrevistados, a partir das variáveis: período do curso, recebimento de algum conteúdo de semiologia relacionado ao ensino de semiologia, disciplina da graduação em que recebera tal conteúdo, o tempo de recebimento desse conteúdo, recebimento de algum conteúdo teórico-prático de semiologia via CD ROM, se possuía computador próprio em sua residência e, se sabia utilizar o CD ROM como material didático. Para esta etapa foi feito tabulamento dos dados com sua posterior análise freqüencial. A segunda etapa ocorreu através da análise de conteúdo, com a qual foi possível a construção de três nucleamentos de idéias, conforme BARDIN. O primeiro nucleamento foi intitulado "A impregnação dos sentidos provocado pelo CD ROM interativo". Com ele, constatamos uma forte evidência em afirmar que a multimídia é um meio de fácil manuseio e bastante facilitador entre teoria e prática da semiologia, pois melhora e inova a compreensão das aulas teóricas ajudando no exame físico direto do cliente, além de suprir, ao seu modo, a carência de laboratórios pedagógicos. O segundo nucleamento, denominado de "A realidade virtual: O Eu digital/pneumático em rede", apontou que a simulação virtual não é igual à realidade do cliente, que o professor pode ficar limitado ao uso da linguagem virtual desvalorizando as relações interpessoais entre todos os envolvidos na dinâmica de ensino-aprendizagem, outrossim a transformação do ensino em algo muito individualizado pela super valorização da linguagem em foco. O último nucleamento foi assinalado como "A linguagem virtual como recurso pedagógico: O equilíbrio que não deve ser perdido". Observamos, por seu intermédio, que a multimídia é um recurso objetivo, versátil, fácil e simples, que ajuda na revisão dos conteúdos, podendo ser utilizado no próprio domicílio do aluno, apresentando, porém, limitações que vão desde a separação entre os atores do processo ensinoaprendizagem, passando por uma necessidade de melhor compreensão do uso dessa linguagem como modalidade didática, até a constatação de que trata-se de um recurso complementar às outras formas. A conclusão dessa pesquisa, aponta para três reflexões essenciais. 1- O desenvolvimento das Novas Tecnologias da Comunicação/Informação, determina aos enfermeiros um imperativo acerca da necessidade da inserção no manuseio dessas tecnologias, tanto no plano da sua implementação, enquanto produto tecnológico, como no plano do seu desenvolvimento dentro da própria enfermagem, a fim de permitirlhe um domínio desse saber específico; 2- A compreensão da linguagem virtual precisa ser amplamente dimensionada pelo enfermeiro, pois, ela já se constitui como elemento das relações sociais do trabalho , da ciência e da cultura humana e; 3- A pedagogia específica da enfermagem deve perceber que a utilização da linguagem virtual não se traduz numa “panacéia” à natureza da formação e do trabalho de enfermagem, mas, sobretudo, se apresenta ao docente como uma modalidade extremamente dinâmica e inovadora de se ensinar a cuidar através da enfermagem. / Descriptive /exploratory research. Analyzes the interactive multimedia as a resource for teaching semiology to nursing graduation. The methodology adopted was fulfilled in two moments. Initially the profile of the interviewed ones was investigated through the variables: semester in course, acquaintance of semiology knowledge related to semiology teaching, discipline in which such knowledge has been acquired, acquaintance of theorical - practical content of semiology via CD Rom, possession of PC and, whether they had the skills to work with the CD Rom as didactic device. To this first step the information obtained was processed into data for future analyses of frequency. The second step was based on the analyses of content with which the construction of three nucleai of ideas was possible in accordance with BARDIN. The first nucleus was entitled “Senses impregnation by interactive CD Rom”, a strong evidence to affirm that the multimedia is a not only as easy to handle resource but also a way to make semiology theory and practice easier once it enhances the comprehension of theorical classes helping the development of the physical examination of clients, besides making uf, on its on ways, for the lack of pedagogical labs. The second nucleus named “Virtual reality: the digital/pneumatic me on the net” pointed out that the virtual simulation is not similar to the reality of the client, that relationship among everyone involved in the teaching/learning dynamics, likewise transforming teaching into something extremely individual due to over appreciation of the language used in focus. The ,last nucleus was named as “The virtual language as a pedagogical resource: the balance that can not lost”. We observe, due to its intermediation, that multimedia is an objective, versatile, easy and simple resource helping in the review of contents with possibility of household use by students, nevertheless showing limitations that go from splitting the actors of the teaching/learning process through the need of better comprehension of the use of such language as a didactic mode till the evidence that it is a complementary resource to other means of teaching. The conclusion of the research points out to three essential reflections. 1. The development of new technologies of information/communication determines an imperative to Nurse for the need of insertion on this technology handling not only to its implementation as a technological device, bus also on its development inside the Nursing field aiming to allow the grasp of its specific knowledge; 2. Comprehension of virtual language needs to be widely dimensioned by the Nurse once it is already an element of work and social relations, of science and of human culture; 3. Specific pedagogy of Nursing must be aware that the use of virtual language is no panacea to the nature of graduation and work of Nurses but, above all, that it is presented as an extremely dynamic and innovatory modality of teaching how to assist through Nursing.

Allt större och större andel företag väljer att presentera och förmedla varor och tjänster via e-handel. En viktig aspekt vid e-handel är att kunden känner förtroende för e-handelsapplikationen och företaget. Denna rapport redogör för vilken inverkan multimediala inslag har för förtroendet av en e-handelsapplikation, vid initialt användande. En undersökning har genomförts med hjälp av en kooperativ utvärdering av fyra e-handelsapplikationer vilka innehåller olika typer av multimediala inslag har. Resultatet av undersökningen visar att multimediala inslag inverkar positivt på förtroendet för e-handelsapplikationer. Däremot finns indikationer på att för hög grad av multimedialt inslag inverkar negativt på förtroendet för e-handelsapplikationer.

Advances in computer technology such as faster processors, better data compression schemes, and cheaper audio and video devices have made it possible to integrate multimedia into the computing environment. Desktop conferencing evolved as a plausible result of this multimedia revolution. The bandwidth granted for these conferencing applications is restricted in most cases by the speed of the modem device connected to the network. Poor performance of multimedia conferencing over the Internet can be attributed to two main factors: local and remote induced effects. Local effects are induced by bandwidth sharing between different media components, operating system limitations, or poor design. Remote effects include all Internet related problems such as unfairness, nonguaranteed quality of service, congestion, etc. Both effects are addressed in this study and some solutions are proposed. The primary goal is to maintain audio quality and prevent video from degrading audio performance. We study characteristics of video and audio traffic sources of conferencing applications following the H.323 set of standards defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The media traffic uses the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) as their transport vehicle over IP network protocol. Tradeoffs involved in the choice of multimedia traffic parameters are presented. Our measurements were carried out on audio and video codecs defined in G.723.1 and H.263 specifications respectively, both drafted by the ITU. This dissertation investigates traffic multiplexing issues at the host, and the interaction of conferencing media components as they are multiplexed locally in a shared bandwidth transport medium. Lack of appropriate multiplexing algorithms can lead to one or more media components oversubscribing to the shared bandwidth and penalizing other participants. These local effects can contribute significantly to traffic delay or abuse of the network bandwidth. We propose the “bit rate adjuster” (BRA) algorithm and use it the network bandwidth. We propose the “bit rate adjuster” (BRA) algorithm and use it for regulating media flow. The algorithm compensates for video local effects induced by packet preparation or processing to allow for better audio performance. A new performance qualifier is introduced and used in the evaluation process. Further on the remote side, we investigate reactive mechanisms used to recover media flow performance degradation caused by shared bandwidth traffic effects. We overview feedback mechanisms based on the Real-time Control Protocol (RTCP). We uncover its limitation on applications connected to the Internet through narrow bandwidth pipes. We propose an alternative approach that predicts and prevents the loss of audio packets before it occurs based on local computation of audio jitter. We also propose a mechanism that recovers audio traffic from jitter and latency effects introduced by the Internet shared medium. These approaches improve the audio performance significantly in multimedia conferencing sessions. / Graduate

<p> After the bloody Tiananmen crackdown in 1989, the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China (CCP) suffered a devastating blow among the overseas Chinese (OC). The CCP responded to the challenge by implementing transnational outreach policy in the OC community, which includes substantial efforts to increase the Party&rsquo;s influence in the overseas Chinese-language media (OCLM). By conducting a qualitative analysis of the evolution of the CCP's OC policy, this thesis finds that the Party has made tremendous progress in achieving the policy&rsquo;s strategic goals: modernization and transnational legitimacy. The CCP&rsquo;s increased influence in the OCLM has made crucial contributions to the Party's success in restoring transnational legitimacy in the OC community. This thesis finds that the China News Service (CNS), China's second-largest news agency operating under the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, plays a major role in the CCP's attempt to influence the OCLM and centralize the production of Chinese-language news.</p>

Abstract not available.

This article considers the impact of new technologies on the adolescent experience of live, literary theatre. Drawing together the work of theorists in literacies, new technologies and audience studies, together with brain research, and the results of a focus group of four secondary students who have seen four plays at Canada's National Arts Centre, it examines the consequences of young people's immersion in digital culture and the new mindset that often results. The expectation of instant access to data, inter-connectivity, stimulation and control can make it difficult for adolescents to decode the metaphorical aspects of a theatrical performance. The article concludes that language arts and dramatic arts educators have a key role in teaching students how to decode---and therefore enjoy and appreciate---a play. Keywords: theatre, new technologies, new literacies, school audiences, youth audiences, discourse, space, audience studies

This thesis presents an exercise-based edutainment system intended for children. It is designed to enhance their cognitive development by encouraging movement in a fun way. The main idea behind the system is that children will have fun constructing a physical, tangible user interface. In addition, they will learn how to spell many words that represent objects and entities by stepping on a collection of coloured pads and receiving responses through a set of multimedia outputs related to these entities. For this purpose we have designed and implemented a tangible user interface that facilitates interaction with the system. This tangible user interface is called "SmartPads" and is composed of coloured tiles that can be physically connected to each other to form any shape. The pads are mapped onto a computer screen in real-time. A user interacts with the interface by stepping on the pads. We have incorporated two games that allow children of different ages to benefit from the system's functionalities and encourage them to interact with it. This thesis provides detailed information about the proposed system and its related components, discusses the design and development of the two games, and measures the system's performance when used by the children.