Interactive Media

Building bonds through gaming

Building bonds through gaming Alumnus and child therapist Justin Jacobson created a Roblox game to help kids and parents connect that just won an international award. Recent alumnus Justin Jacobson speaks on a panel at the Games for Change Festival 2026, where he received an award for his game Gather-2-Gether from Roblox and Games for Change. Photos courtesy of Games for Change and Roblox By Janette Neuwahl Tannen 7-28-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU ust a few years ago, Justin Jacobson was working as a [...]

2026-07-29T10:48:48-04:00July 28, 2026|Interactive Media, School of Communication|

Can you spot fake news or images?

Can you spot fake news or images? A University of Miami professor has developed two apps to test your knowledge in telling apart real or fake images or texts. By Barbara Gutierrez 7-21-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, prevalent, and capable of producing more realistic images and text, it has become critical for the public to distinguish “real” texts and images from “non-real” ones. That is the premise behind two apps created by Lindsay Grace, Knight Chair in Interactive Media [...]

2026-07-28T17:04:43-04:00July 22, 2026|Interactive Media, School of Communication|

An interactive approach to reading

An interactive approach to reading Associate professor Anna Queiroz and her students developed a game to improve early literacy skills that set beginning readers up for success. Anna Elise Nascimento, 11, tests out the new LexiLearn literacy app created by Anna Queiroz, an associate professor of interactive media. Photo: Filipi Barbosa/University of Miami. By Janette Neuwahl Tannen 5-26-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU One of the first steps to successful reading instruction is ensuring that students can match the sounds found in words—called phonemes—to letters, [...]

2026-05-28T12:38:12-04:00May 28, 2026|Interactive Media, School of Communication|

Students play pivotal roles developing apps demoed at XR conference

Students play pivotal roles developing apps demoed at XR conference Collaborating with faculty members and researchers, students helped develop and create immersive technology applications that address environmental awareness, the well-being of cancer patients, and the history of a historic Miami neighborhood. During a demo session at Miami XR 2026, computer science and interactive media student Sidney Cocimano assists Keanu Diaz in operating the VR headset and hand controls for the environmental awareness game Swampocalypse. Photo: Debora Cabrera for the University of Miami By Robert C. Jones [...]

2026-02-18T08:55:25-05:00February 18, 2026|Interactive Media, School of Communication|

XR conference takes a deep dive into immersive technology

XR conference takes a deep dive into immersive technology With educators and experts from around the country in attendance, including Imagineers from the Walt Disney Company, the two-day conference explored the different ways extended reality is making an impact in the world. Walt Disney Imagineering executives Bruce Vaughn and Kyle Laughlin discuss how they got into the immersive storytelling field with Tom Merrick (right), lecturer of interactive media and senior director of XR Initiatives at the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing. Photo: Debora Cabrera/University of [...]

2026-02-18T08:52:26-05:00February 18, 2026|Interactive Media, School of Communication|

Making sense of data

Making sense of data The Open Visualization Academy—a first-of-its-kind platform recently launched by a faculty member at the University of Miami—offers free courses on designing data-backed charts and maps to communicate information more effectively.   By Janette Neuwahl Tannen 2-10-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU Interested in creating an informative, eye-catching chart, graph, or map to help explain a complex dataset? There are now several free courses to learn these skills, all offered on a new website created by a University of Miami faculty member, with [...]

2026-02-11T08:58:27-05:00February 11, 2026|Interactive Media, Journalism, School of Communication|

Learning Overtown’s history through art

Learning Overtown's history through art A class of graduate students in the School of Communication spent the fall creating an interactive museum experience that teaches participants about the history of Overtown through three murals. A young child tries out the virtual reality murals experience "Telling Overtown Stories, Saying Their Names," created by graduate students in the Collaborative Innovation Lab course at the School of Communication for Miami MoCAAD. Photo courtesy of Miami MoCAAD. By Janette Neuwahl Tannen 2-9-2026 This story originally appeared in News@TheU In the [...]

2026-02-10T09:14:45-05:00February 10, 2026|Interactive Media, School of Communication|

M.F.A. capstones redefine the space between technology and human connection

M.F.A. capstones redefine the space between technology and human connection Six Interactive Media capstones explore how thoughtful design and emerging technology can deepen relationships, support well‑being, and create more meaningful digital experiences.   By Bella Armstrong At a time when technology shapes nearly every aspect of daily life, the question of how we design digital tools that still feel human has never been more important. In the Department of Interactive Media at the University of Miami, that question is no longer theoretical — it’s the driving [...]

2025-12-04T15:20:18-05:00December 4, 2025|Interactive Media, School of Communication|

School of Communication rises to top 1.1% in national rankings

School of Communication rises to top 1.1% in national rankings Top rankings highlight continued excellence across disciplines, from journalism and advertising to interactive media and film. The University of Miami School of Communication has achieved its highest national ranking to date, securing the #15 spot on Niche’s 2025 list of Best Colleges for Communications in America. This marks a 19-place jump from the previous year, positioning the School in the top 1.1% of communication programs across the country. “This has been a tremendous year for the School [...]

New minors at the School of Communication explore future of media

New minors at the School of Communication explore future of media The new curriculum will equip students with the skills needed to navigate a rapidly evolving and shifting media landscape. Anika Engel, who graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, has a commitment to serve others. Photo: Joshua Prezant/University of Miami Barbara Gutierrez 5-28-2025 This story originally appeared in News@TheU. As the media world continues to rapidly evolve, the University of Miami School of Communication is responding with three new minors launching this fall—designed [...]