Abstract:
Ball State University takes pride in the many immersive learning programs it offers students. One of the 2011 programs was a collaboration between Ball State journalism graphics students and Circle of Blue, an organization which researches and publishes news on the global freshwater crisis. Students created interactive graphics for Circle of Blue to accompany the news organization's series titled, "Choke Point: China." This series focused on the nexus between water and energy in China and followed a similar series focused on the same topic in the United States. This honors thesis centered on the creation of an interactive documentary of the immersive learning project in which viewers can see how students and professionals benefitted from this unique collaboration. Several video interviews with students, professor Jennifer George-Palilonis and Circle of Blue staff members tell the story of how the collaboration began and why it was such an effective immersive experience for everyone involved. The interactive package also contains background information about Circle of Blue and Choke Point: China, photo galleries, biographies and links to the graphics created in the project.
