Communications Technology research
Research and scholarly activity underpinning the curriculum
Communications Technology research areas
Staff in Communications Technology
Research and scholarly activity underpinning the curriculum
The curriculum is well matched to the expertise of the staff, whose scholarly activities continue to influence course developments and curriculum content and design.
The team has taken a group approach to research within the area of Community Communication. Members having attended community radio conferences and, through Restricted Service Licences, the team have engaged with hundreds of people from the local community. The engagement has covered the age range 10-75 years, and the social background has also been addressed through specific courses delivered through the ‘Reaching Higher Reaching Wider’ fund; this specifically targets under-represented communities.
The vehicle for this project has been CALON FM community radio broadcasting station. The development of CALON FM will be used to support a research bid for MPhil/PhD in the area of community engagement through the use of localised radio. The research will be used to support national research that is being initiated at the start of the Community radio license awards. CALON FM received its confirmation of Licence during April 06.
Through this medium a good working relationship has been developed with BBC Wales and locally with GWR North West (Marcher Radio). The focus of the research is based on the Ofcom Community Radio Bill, which has recently passed through Parliament and the House of Lords. The benefits of this research will be that the team lead in the area of Community Communication (a government initiative) and will be able to offer tailored short courses to enable the community to engage with broadcasting. This research will support the group’s widening participation remit.
The audio degrees are underpinned by professional activity and research. The academic staff have developed a network of industry contacts and good working relationships with a range of professional companies.
The communications technology staff directly input the outcomes of their research and scholarship to underpin a range of modules and also to enhance the student experience. For example, the teaching fellowship awarded by internal panel to the subject area has aided the development of a new VLE interface, and the interaction has produced a measurable increase in student contact and satisfaction.
The Communications Technology team have also developed a new media interface for developing student interaction both with their peers and the programme. This is being recognised as a significant method for student retention and development. Research is also being undertaken into the changing needs of educators and the requirements of the industry that the graduate is progressing into. The research will inform further development in e-learning and work-based learning.
Communications Technology research areas
E-learning and work-based interaction
This research impacts on all modules and the development of module content.
Bass frequency transfer (MPhil Student Research)
This has relevance for a range of modules such as:
- Live Sound (Bass frequency transfer)
- Electro-Acoustics (Bass frequency transfer; HRTF)
- Recording Techniques 1/2
Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTF) (MPhil Student Research)
This research is an investigation into human perception of space, and the audio environment within space. As such the research informs delivery of any auralisation environment information. and has relevance for a range of modules such as:
- Electro-Acoustic Systems
- Recording Techniques1/2
- Computer Music
- Music Production
- Internet and Media Audio Systems
Walsh Synthesis
This research informs digital based modules and has informed module input into :
- Sound Synthesis and Sampling
- Audio Science
- Professional Studies 4/5/6 (Music Business)
- Computer Music Programming
It should also be noted that research into the music business has enabled the continual development of the modules Professional Studies 1/2/3.
Staff
Members of the team have been awarded an excellence in teaching award, and a fellowship to develop innovation in the delivery of e-learning.
