The UP Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) conducted a Production and Co-Creation Workshop-Seminar for Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) students at the UPOU Headquarters on 12 May 2018. Led by Assistant Professor Al Francis Librero, Program Chair of the BAMS program, participants were given a glimpse into the higher level courses of BAMS, particularly the production courses and special project.
Asst. Prof. Librero started off by sharing tips and tricks on how to go about the production courses.. He delved deeper into these courses and made sure to instill the importance of investing on the right tools, and the many considerations when doing so. The Production and Co-Creation Workshop-Seminar took a hands-on approach and encouraged students’ participation in the discussions.This allowed them to get a feel of some of the equipment they would be using as multimedia practitioners. Afterwards, Dr. Diego Maranan discussed through video conferencing the possible research and creative work students may undertake for their MMS 200.
Following the discussion about BAMS courses, Asst. Prof. Librero proceeded to introduce the “UPOU Digital Collective: A Student Co-Creation Initiative.” Referring to a project and also a group of people, the UPOU Digital Collective aims to make content creation in the university more collaborative, instead of a linear process between teachers and students. This collaborative content creation endeavor ties in with the highest level of the continuum of open education practice. “We want to try a new way of developing content wherein the students are active participants in the whole process,” said Asst. Prof. Librero.
The previous day, Dr. Alexander Flor, Dean of FICS, also underscored the significance of the initiative in his welcome message. “Sa pamamagitan ng UPOU Digital Collective, ang programa po natin ay magiging kaiba-iba. It will be unique from other programs, not only multimedia programs, but other undergraduate programs,” he said. “Through the UPOU Digital Collective, students’ works will be curated, archived, and showcased for the world to see. Apart from serving as a portfolio for students’ work opportunities, it will also have a pedagogical function. Work posted in the UPOU Digital Collective will act as models, influencing how future students produce their own creations.”
The last part of the Workshop-Seminar was a photography workshop conducted by Asst. Prof. Librero with the aid of older students and alumni. Participants were taught fundamental techniques, particularly for portrait photography. As the workshop-seminar came to a close, the students expressed their appreciation for the interactive and engaging activity, and looked forward to attending more workshops organized for BAMS students. (Patricia Calora, FICS)
