While I was a student, exam time usually meant some multiple choice, a couple of essay questions, sweaty palms and sagging eyelids. The occasional video clip would liven things up, but only for a moment. The lucky students that make up NYU’s Big Screens class got to experience something entirely unique for their final exam, and frankly — I’m a bit jealous.

The class’ professor, Dan Shiffman, conducted the final exam on a 120-foot video wall that is equivalent to six 16:9 displays linked end-to-end. Located in the Frank Ghery-designed IAC building in Chelsea, the screen displayed visuals that would ilicit specific responses from students.

If it told them to clap, they clapped. If they were asked to stomp their feet while saying “la la la”, they did that, too. At one point they were even text messaging the screen, thrilled by their ability to affect the display.

The class is part of of NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), a two-year graduate degree that was established in 1979 and has gained a reputation for its innovative explorations of technology.  Shiffman, who cut his teeth mastering the art of processing (the programming language used in music videos, interactive video art, etc.) has taught this class for two years now. I’m pretty sure the man can expect at least an apple a day after this fantasic display of creativity and innovation — virtues that can only be appreciated by students in search of enlightenment through academia.

Below is a clip of one of the student’s final projects involving birds on a wire. Check more videos and photos over at our friends at Gizmodo, who were fortunate enough to witness the event live.

- Daniel Barna

Big Screens – White Sun by Mooshir Vahanvati from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

Photo Courtesy of Gizmodo