At Ball State, we're providing a supportive environment where students with a passion for emerging media and their applications can easily share ideas.
Members of the
Emerging Media Living-Learning Community live in the same residence hall, creating
projects, interacting with student and professional organizations, and networking with professionals and alumni.
This living-learning community is open to all students pursuing any major who have an interest in exploring new technology and innovations in how we communicate.
"The emerging media living-learning community allows students to fully immerse themselves in a digital lifestyle," said Jonathan Huer, Ball State's director of emerging technology and media development. "It's the only place in the halls where media projects like short films or video blogs can take place because everyone on the floor has agreed to the idea that they might end up on camera."
Privacy regulations prevent Ball State students from filming in its residence halls, with the exception of the new quarters of the 100-plus students living in the new emerging media living-learning community. As part of their residential experience, the students, whose majors represent a wide variety of disciplines, will have access to an entire floor renovated into a collaborative space to work on large-scale media projects.
The floor is furnished with new furniture and features the latest editing software, computers, high-definition television with Blu-ray and surround sound, and top-of-the-line video equipment. Because of its plush surroundings, industry-standard equipment and top-floor location in the Schmidt/Wilson residence hall complex, returning students see "the Penthouse" floor living up to its name, said Heather Bisher, assistant director for coordination of living-learning programs at Ball State.
Huer says the emerging media living-learning community encourages students to experiment and play with emerging media while reminding residents of responsible behavior with new technology. "With every cell phone having a camera and every laptop a web cam, it's impossible to avoid this type of media and its potential repercussions for everyone," Huer said. "By confronting these issues in their immediate surroundings, these students will gain a greater appreciation for both the creative freedom emerging technologies afford them but also the challenges of incorporating emerging media in the practicalities of everyday life."