The New Media Institute is developing a new method of keeping track of attendance that could benefit other large lecture-hall classes. The Institute will be implementing a technology to better record student absences and prevent cheating.

     When students arrive to class, teaching assistants will be scanning students’ UGA IDs with a scanner similar to the one use d at University athletic events. The students’ information such as their name and 810 number will then be stored in a class database.

     The digital system will be more efficient than outdated sign in tracking procedures used across campus.

     “Wouldn’t it be cool if we developed a system that would use a student’s 810 number as a digital signature and made it easier for professors and their teaching assistants,” said Shelby Reimer, the New Media Institute capstone project manager.

      The New Media Institute – a certificate program within Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication – is committed to teaching students about innovative digital media technology through personal media.

      Reimer and three other NMI students are working on developing an effective attendance tracking system, updating the Institute’s website and integrating an efficient way to make and take quizzes.

      The Smoking Cessation Group, members of the New Media Institute, is developing a mobile application that comes equipped with everything but a top hat and a wand.  Targeted towards smokers seeking to kick the habit, Smokin’ Mirrors provides viewers with a variety of engaging videos that will increasingly distract them from their cravings for a cigarette.

      A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control showed that in 2010, 19.5% of the U.S. adult population was current cigarette smokers. According to the Mayo Clinic, one trick that can help smokers overcome powerful cravings is by delaying or distracting themselves. "Smokin' Mirrors" is designed for just that.

     For years, magicians have used smoke and mirrors to distract audiences from reality in order to pull off amazing feats. "Smokin' Mirrors" is a mobile application that provides this ‘smoke and mirrors’ affect.  It distracts the viewer from their cigarette craving by giving them an assortment of YouTube videos to watch.  From the coolest music videos to Dumb and Dumber scenes to Deion Sanders highlights to the hilarious talking babies Etrade commercials, this app has something for everyone.  It starts users off with short videos and works its way up to longer videos as the user increases their resistance to cigarette cravings.  Ideally, the goal for the user would be to eventually not watch any videos because they quit smoking altogether.  

I thought I got it.  I have been watching TED videos for over five years.  They truly contain "Ideas worth sharing" in a format that works — short with an emphasis on the story behind the idea.  I have been attending TEDxAtlanta for the last couple of years.  A TEDx is an "independently organized TED event — kind of like local TED franchises.  They have smaller audiences and follow a lot of rules to protect the TED brand. They have a lot in common with the real TED talks — but they lack the scale and polish.  Secretly, I have wanted to attend a TED for years (ok, the real secret that I don't tell many people is my real goal is to do a TED talk — but you have to do something really important, so that could be a while).  But TED conferences are expensive.  There are only three held each year and the top TED event held in Long Beach, CA, has a $7500 registration cost — yes, that is just the registration for the week long event.  Way beyond my budget. So I just dreamed.  

Well a couple of weeks ago, one of my dreams came true.  I was invited to attend one of the newer TED offshoots called TED MED.  It is a TED licensed event dedicated to "imagining the future of health and medicine."  And it was cheaper — only $5000 for registration. But we cobbled together different accounts and got a little bit of a deal, so I could attend.  I learned a ton at TED MED — over 60 talks spread over 4 days!  But the biggest thing I learned is that I really hadn't understood what a TED is really about.  Yes, TED stands for Technology Entertainment and Design.  Yes, TED always has amazing speakers.  But the real power of a TED doesn't come from the stage — it is in the audience.  TEDs use smart people to attract smart people.  The discussions, ideas, disagreements, suggestions, and proposals in the dinner lines, shuttle busses, cocktail parties, and, ok, in the restrooms were the true highlight of the event.  I am still cranking through so much of it.

And now we are trying to bring that collaborative energy to UGA in a couple of different ways.

On Saturday, May 5th, the NMI hosts its annual SLAM (hey, the all caps alone conjures up the spirit of TED, right?).  All day long, NMI students will be showing off incredibly cool projects they have been working on all semester long.  Facebook apps, iBooks, mobile sites, videos.  Over 25 projects in all.  You can hear presentations and then walk around to interact with the students as they talk about the wild things they made happen.  The public part of the day starts at 1:30PM in the NMI (fourth floor of the Journalism building). And just like TED, the true highlight is in the interaction between smart students and smart people like you.

And more long term, we are working on a way to bring a TED-esque event to the University of Georgia.  Currently a group of students, faculty, and staff are working on hosting a TEDxUGA in April of next year.  Lots of working and planning involved, but it is something that a committed and smart group wants to accomplish.  I will keep you posted. 

The weekend of May 3rd through the 6th , the University of Georgia golf course plays host to the Stadion Classic, a stop on the Nationwide golf tour. The New Media Institute at the University of Georgia has created a mobile application to enhance the tournament experience for visitors and followers of the tournament at home.

The mobile application will amplify the participation of a patron at the tournament as well as immerse a follower of the tournament who can not make it to the course. Users of the application  can take advantage of a number of different mobile features such as following the leader board, reviewing scores, reading player biography's, and confirming tournament tee times.

The mobile application also provides a social media interface by connecting the user with a twitter feed in association with the tournament. The user can see recent news, audience responses, and players personal updates via the Stadion's twitter feed. The application will also offer access for the user to book their own tee time at the University of Georgia golf course.

The application will be available for download on iPhone and Andriod devices in April 2012. For more information visit www.golf.mynmi.net or contact Public Relations consultant Fan Hughes at fhughes1@uga.edu or by phone at 706/833-8138.