ATLS 3519: The Real-Time Web

Course Description

Introduces the technical and conceptual elements of interactive web development through lectures, technical instruction and project development. Technical emphasis on media sharing and synchronous communication sessions between the browser and server in real time. Conceptually explores participatory and collaborative experiences on the web.

The World Wide Web has grown up to be a great platform for asynchronous communication such as email and message boards which has extended into media posting and sharing. Recently, with the rise of broadband, more powerful computers and the prevalence of networked media devices, synchronous communications have become more viable. Streaming media, audio and video conference rooms and text based chat give us the ability to create new forms of interactive content for live participants.

In this course, we will focus on the types of content and interactions that can be supported through web based and live interactive technologies as well as explore new concepts around participation. The course utilizes new and emerging platforms on the web such as HTML5, WebSockets and WebRTC using JavaScript and Node.js. This course will cover both client and server side programing with Javascript.

Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will:

Critical Thinking & Theory / History:

• Build knowledge on the infrastructure of the internet and how it is changing with the emergence of new technologies
• Explore the cultural and interpersonal implications of content sharing and real-time media streaming on the web

Design/Creative:

• Design participatory live web-based experiences
• Build and explore new methods of collaboration and communication on the internet

Technical:

• Develop knowledge of both client-side and server-side web development using current tools (for example, Javascript and node.js)
• Understand how to stream media (audio, video and other data content) between the browser and server in real time
• Build synchronous communication sessions between the browser and server using event-driven responses

Credit Hours

• 3 hours

Prerequisites

• Introductory-level programming experience is required. Experience with web technologies (HTML and JavaScript) is helpful but not required.