LSM staff and students have returned from their pioneering placement at Finland’s Tampere University of Applied Sciences School of Art, Music and Media. It was the first phase of the new Media Culture 2020 scheme, which brings together students and teaching staff from Higher Education institutions across Europe.
LSM student Gemma Pass, said: “When we set off for Finland, I didn’t realise quite how fantastic an opportunity it was. Now I know what an influence the project has had on me, and could have on my future. Media Culture 2020 gave me the chance to experience different cultures, and it is something that I will never forget.”
Throughout the visit, which was the first of its kind, 10 final year undergraduates from the University of Lincoln worked with students from partner institutions from the Netherlands, Spain, Latvia and Finland. Collaborating in multi-national teams spanning different specialisms, they shared their expertise in media production for 21st century platforms, such as social media and smartphone applications.
James Field, Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln’s School of Media, accompanied the students throughout the project. He said: “Media Culture 2020 gave me a fascinating insight into collaborative education on a grand scale. Working with students across Europe both online and in the workshop in Finland presented challenges, but was extremely rewarding when the students revealed their ideas and research, each featuring a consensus of similarities that exist in media culture across the continent.”
Media Culture 2020 is an Erasmus Intensive Programme, designed to break down barriers so that students from different countries and areas of study can benefit from open learning environments. The project aims to demonstrate the potential of united and interactive 21st century media culture in Europe.
Richard Vickers, Principal Lecturer at the University of Lincoln’s School of Media, established the project and is leading the scheme alongside Cai Melakoski from the Tampere University of Applied Sciences. Speaking about its success, Richard said: “This was a fantastic event, and a great opportunity for our undergraduates to work with students and lecturers from across Europe on a truly innovative project. Team Lincoln made a great impression on colleagues from our European partner institutions and made many new friends.”
During the visit, participants took part in team building, project planning and research opportunities, as well as cultural events hosted by the different countries in attendance. They also received industry talks and visited the TV2 studios and ROVIO, the entertainment media company behind Angry Birds.
The second phase of Media Culture 2020 will involve a workshop hosted by Liepaja University in Latvia later this year.