David J. Miller

David J. Miller

David J. Miller

Senior Instructor

Media production and criticism, Journalism, Distance Education, Instructional Design

David J. Miller is a seasoned instructor and the Coordinator of Media Production and Criticism at George Mason University's Department of Communication. With over 25 years of experience teaching media production, criticism, and journalism at the university level, he's a true expert in his field.

David's passion lies in designing engaging course curriculums and providing hands-on learning experiences, especially through online education. In fact, his dedication to designing impactful online media criticism courses was recognized when he received the 2024 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Student Success. He was also recognized in 2018 with a Catalyst Award for Teaching and Learning. He's also been honored with the 2015 Sloan-C Effective Practice Award, showing that his work is making a real difference in online education.

A key part of David's teaching philosophy is providing students with valuable hands-on learning experiences, even in an online format. He firmly believes that the most impactful learning happens when students can actively apply concepts and skills, rather than just passively consume information.

In his online media criticism, production and Journalism courses, David incorporates a variety of interactive elements to foster active learning. This might include video production assignments where students film, edit and share their own short films. It could also involve in-depth analysis projects where students critically evaluate real-world media examples.

David also leverages collaborative online tools to facilitate engaging discussions and group projects. He's adept at creating virtual environments that encourage students to learn from each other through thoughtful dialogue and teamwork.

Additionally, David makes use of video lectures, simulations, and other multimedia to bring course concepts to life in dynamic ways. He's constantly exploring new educational technologies and techniques to ensure his online students have an enriching, immersive learning experience.

The success of David's hands-on approach is evidenced by the prestigious awards and recognition he's received. His innovative online courses have been honored for their excellence in teaching and learning outcomes. Students consistently praise David's ability to transform education into an active, engaging, and transformative experience.

Beyond the classroom, David is an accomplished media professional. He has extensive experience in radio, television, film, and more, working with organizations like the Military Channel, Smithsonian, and Paramount TV. David's expertise and creativity have been tapped for all sorts of exciting projects over the years.

When he's not teaching or working on media productions, David loves to travel the world and explore new places. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, he's always been curious about the endless possibilities that lie beyond his own backyard. David's global adventures have undoubtedly enriched his perspective and made him an even more engaging, well-rounded instructor.

Whether you're interested in media production, criticism, or just exploring the world, David J. Miller is an incredible resource and mentor. His passion, experience, and innovative approach are sure to inspire and support students in meaningful ways.

Selected Publications

DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING THROUGH MULTIMEDIA-BASED ACTIVITIES AND BLOGGING

Courses Taught

COMM 208:  Introduction to Multimedia Production (3)

This is a beginner’s course designed to provide students with an understanding of camera operation, framing, and composition, lighting, audio, and editing. Grading will be heavily based on technical proficiency and artistic expression using the basic tools of media production. This course is demanding in terms of one’s time and technological abilities.

COMM 361:  Online Journalism (3)

The asynchronous online course focuses on online journalism, research, reporting, web page and weblog creation, and writing for the Internet.  Using the constructivist approach to learning, students conduct sustained research and reporting on a predetermined theme for the duration of the semester. The student will identify and produce compelling and effective stories by collecting and interpreting data and illustrating one’s findings using a variety of visual elements such as photographs, infographics, and multimedia presentation tools. 

The approach I have taken with this class is to move away from the faculty-centered approach to learning to student-centered learning. To that end, I have gone away from lecture-based learning to what I described as experiential learning. This means that the focus of activities and assessment is on students working with and learning from doing as well as from each other i.e. peer to peer learning (P2P).

COMM 380:  Media Criticism (3)

This asynchronous online course examines practical criticism of a wide variety of media texts including television programs, newspapers, articles, films, photographs, and advertisements. This course introduces principles of major contemporary modes of analysis for systematically interpreting visual and verbal forms of communication. Additionally, the course is designed to enable students to formulate their own philosophies on the role of mass media-making and popular culture through the careful analysis of key theories of communication, the meaning, and interpretation of media-making, and the institutions that shape our social, political, economic, cultural and social values in contemporary society.

Education

B.Sc.

M.A.I.S.

Recent Presentations

Librarian-faculty collaboration: Effective strategies for embedding online and face-to-face library services
Panel & Roundtable Discussion
Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference (2017)

Are You Ready to Teach Your Online Summer Course?
Facilitator, small-group discussion at the Online Faculty Learning Community (2017)                                                      

Best Practices for Creating Videos
Presenter, Online Faculty Learning Community (2017)

Integrating multimedia and LMS tools to cultivate creative and reflective learners
Presenter, Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference Proceedings, (2016) 

Thinking Outside of the Box to Assess Learning
Presenter, Faculty Development Lunch & Learn (2015)

Designing and Implementing Experiential Learning through Multimedia-Based Activities and Blogging in Asynchronous Online Courses
Co-presenter, Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference (2014)

                             

 

In the Media