Formative evaluation of a revised curricular model for the Art Institute Of Philadelphia's Web Design & Interactive Media Program

The World Wide Web is a fluid, ever-changing medium, and computing technologies continue to progress at exponential rates. As platforms evolve and transform, so must the curricula that prepare tomorrow's designers and developers.;The Art Institute of Philadelphia's Web Design and Interactive Media curriculum has struggled to keep pace with the dramatic changes occurring with Web and computing technologies. This Executive Position Paper (EPP) seeks to evaluate and refine a curricular model for the Web Design and Interactive Media program that builds on the current curriculum's strengths and incorporates the latest Web and mobile technologies to better prepare future graduates for the challenges of tomorrow's competitive marketplace.;This EPP is divided into five chapters. Chapter one provides an introduction to the site and the department's faculty, staff and students as well as outlining the challenges faced and the goal of this effort.;Chapter two offers an in depth organizational analysis that explores the levels and spheres of practice within the organization as well as the qualifications and motivations within these strata. This chapter also seeks to uncover issues and meanings of authority within the groups and to identify potential obstacles to achieving the desired goal.;Chapter three explores the future of Web technologies through the predictions of noted industry leaders and analysts. This chapter also discusses the process by which the proposed curricular models were developed.;Chapter four details the evaluation design and methodology. The program's participants, external factors, assumptions, activities and outcomes are discussed. The evaluation questions as well as the program's variables and instruments are presented. The data collection procedures, project timeline and evaluation results are reviewed.;Lastly, chapter five presents my conclusions and recommendations, including revised curricula for the associate and bachelor's degree programs as well as my recommendations for faculty development and ongoing curricular assessment.