72995 - Information Technology and Arts Organization

Learning outcomes

This course is an attempt to inform about Information Systems and Technologies as used within arts organizations and in cultural heritage processing. Specifically, the student is expected to confront in a knowledgeable way the development of information technology with emphasis on tourism, cultural and environmental goods.In particular, the student is expected to learn about the following topics: - Media, multimedia and multimedia systems - Coding of images, video and audio signals – compression - Networks - Data, metadata and data bases - Production and distribution of multimedia content - Devices and interfaces to access cultural content –usability.

Course contents

This course is an attempt to inspire and transmit a critical approach in designing, commissioning and using technology within and around cultural organizations. Specifically, the student is expected to confront in a knowledgeable way the development of information technology with an emphasis on tourism, cultural and environmental goods.

The student is expected to learn about the following topics: Networks; Web and Mobile; Media, multimedia and multimedia systems; Data, Big Data, Metadata and Data Bases; Interaction design, Virtual and Augmented reality and Digital Fabrication.

The student will be also facing case studies of success and failure in the implementation of new technology, always analyzing the project impact of each technological application.

Course contents:
- Introduction to Information Technologies and Cultural Heritage: The role of technology;Technology and ethics

- Basics on ICT: computer, networks; Internet & World Wide Web.

- Digital images and audio: (Digital Images) Color and color spaces; Color depth, resolution, spatial resolution, compression (gif, png, jpg), vector graphic principles; (Digital audio) Audio waves, frequency, sound speed, amplitude, basics on analog-to-digital sampling theory (sampling rate, quantization), compression (MP3), MIDI.

- Data vs Information: From Data to Information; Tools: spreadsheets and database; Basics of data visualizations

- Virtual reality and augmented reality: Introduction and applications; Differences between virtual and augmented reality.

- Introduction to digital techniques applied to rapid prototyping: Interaction design with open source projects like Arduino / RaspBerry; 3D modeling laboratory with free software (SketchUp) and experiments with a 3D printer.

Teaching methods

1. Theoretical lectures;
2. Case studies analysis
3. Sharing knowledge with guest speakers;
4. Group project.

Assessment methods

1. Written essay on a good practice of IT in the cultural sector:
2. Group project;
3. Group presentation.

 

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Puglisi