TELEPHONE: 435-652-7970
OFFICE: Üdvar-Hazy Bldg., Room 324
SPRING 2008 CLASS INSTRUCTION:
9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., MWF (section 01)
Üdvar-Hazy Bldg., Room 120
This course is an introduction to interactive multimedia. The concepts, technical requirements, techniques and best practices for creating intuitive interface design are explored. Implementation tools are taught using Flash software (by Adobe/Macromedia). Additionally, both cell-based and script-based animation and interactivity are presented and used.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
"For students interested in authoring interactive multimedia presentations. Introduces the hardware and software used to integrate text, sound, graphics, animation, and video into rich-content multimedia projects. Course includes lecture, hands-on step-by-step examples, and assignments to be completed as homework. Students learn the process of creating multimedia projects through the use of various computer-based disciplines, including graphic design, digital video, interface architecture, and light OOP-structured programming. This is an upper division course in the CIT baccalaureate degree program, but it may also be used as an elective in an Associate Degree or the Visual Technologies certificate. Homework assignments require access to computer with the designated software installed. May use Macintosh or Windows-compatible computer. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to create interactive multimedia presentations with professionally designed interfaces and rich content that is capable of delivery via a web browser or in a stand-alone application. 3 lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: CS 1400 and VT 2500 and VT 2600" (Dixie State College Catalog, 2006-2007)
PRE-REQUISITES:
CS 1400, VT 2500, and VT 2600. VT 1300 is optional, but highly recommended. Familiarity with the MacOS and MS Windows operating systems is assumed. An above-average working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator is expected. (Lack of functional knowledge in these software packages may adversely affect your ability to obtain a high grade in this class.) Although strongly NOT recommended, courses that teach the pre-requisite software may be taken during the same semester as this class.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK and SUGGESTED SUPPLIES:
- Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Classroom in a Book
- Paperback Book & CD-ROM edition
- ©Copyright, 2007, Adobe Systems Inc.
- ISBN: 0-321-49982-4. Cost is approximately $35.
- Storage media to backup and/or manage your coursework during the semester
- Two or three CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW disks
- A USB flash drive of sufficient size (512 MB or larger)
- (optional) An external hard drive of usable size (120 GB or larger)
- Two or three CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW disks
SPECIAL NEEDS HELP:
If you are a student with a physical or mental impairment and would like to request accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center (652-7516) in Room 201 of the Student Services Center. The Disability Resource Center will determine your eligibility for services based upon complete professional documentation. If you are deemed eligible, the Disability Resource Center will further evaluate the effectiveness of your accommodation requests and will authorize reasonable accommodations that are appropriate for your disability.
ESCAPE CLAUSE:
The instructor reserves the right to change the specifics of this syllabus and the schedule (weekly topics of instruction, assignments, assignment details, due dates, etc.) as determined for the betterment of the class. Any changes will be announced in a timely manner during class instruction periods.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this course is to teach students how to use the computer as an interactive development and presentation tool. Students will learn the technical aspects of various interactive authoring software. Students will complete several multimedia projects throughout the semester, which they will be expected to produce on the computer using designated software. Assignments will be tailored to require the application of concepts presented in class periods. Students will learn to distinguish between effective and ineffective interactive interface designs. Students will become proficient in effective multimedia authoring techniques through instruction, exposure to expert examples, and course projects.
At completion of the course, students should know and be able to demonstrate the following technical skills:
- Understand the issues and requirements surrounding the development of interactive multimedia.
- How to access and use advanced features in multimedia authoring software.
- Construct complete presentations using various software and multimedia tools.
- How to build intuitive interfaces for multimedia navigation.
- How to choose the most appropriate software for a given project.
- Prepare graphics for most efficient use in the authoring software.
- How to prepare, use, and control audio files in a presentation.
- How to convert video for multimedia use
- How to attach interactive controls (skins) to video
- How to script elementary and advanced interactivity using Macromedia Flash's ActionScript language.
- How to prepare Flash files for use in HTML pages on the Internet (SWF format).
POLICIES, PROCEDURES and ASSIGNMENTS:
Attendance is important to your success in this course; therefore, the grades earned will reflect your attendance habits (this is a department policy). No points are allotted toward the total points possible to determine your grade, but attendance will be measured indirectly through various participation events during class instruction.
TEXTBOOK READINGS: Although the textbook was written to take a beginner by the hand, it will be used as a reference manual in this class. A CD-ROM is included with the book, which contains related files that can help in explaining the various topics. By using the index and table of contents to find the specific information needed at the moment, you can jump in anywhere and read those parts most relevant to your immediate questions and needs. Additionally, each topic typically includes one or more tips, notes, cautions, and cross references.
TECHNICAL PAPER: Write a five-page technical paper on multimedia practices, file formats, and technologies currently in use within the industry. This paper is worth 50 points. It is essential for you to understand the issues surrounding multimedia development before you can effectively develop products using this medium. Use either the MLA or APA styles to format your paper. The paper should be typed and double-spaced.
Submit this research paper in electronic format, saved in RTF format. Include a cover page with the following information:
- Full name and last four (4) digits of student ID number
- Class number and section number
- Assignment name
WORKBOOK LESSONS: There are eleven (11) lessons in the course textbook. Five (5) of those lessons will be turned in, each worth 10 points. See the weekly assignments schedule for descriptions and due dates. Lessons are scheduled to encourage students to practice relevant technical skills being discussed during the concurrent instruction periods.
All workbook lessons will be due by 10:00 P.M. on the day(s) specified. To earn up to the full points for lessons, students must submit them on time. LATE LESSONS WILL RECEIVE ONE-HALF CREDIT. LESSONS MORE THAN SIX (6) DAYS LATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! NO EXCEPTIONS.
PROJECTS: There are five (5) projects for the semester. See the weekly assignments schedule for descriptions and due dates. These projects will require demonstrated proficienty of techniques learned in the course up to the time of each scheduled assignment. Further, project assignments will be graded according to the design and artistic creativity of the project — the "gestalt" of a piece. (See the page on design gestalt for help understanding this concept.) Each project is worth a maximum of 50 points. All assignments must be submitted on time to earn up to the maximum of 50 points allotted toward your grade. More points will be given for effective designs that communicate the multimedia concepts learned in class. The points for each assignment will be allocated based on the 10-standard rubric developed for each assignment in this course.
Assignments will be submitted electronically to a networked server. Instruction will be given in class before the first assignment is due concerning how to access the submission web page and find the appropriate sub-directory to submit the assignments. Additionally, students will present their work to the class on pre-announced days. The class will participate by critiquing each others' assignments in order to provide artistic feedback and help improve students' design skills. It is important that you attend and participate on the peer-critique days to receive points for that part of your assignment score.
A minimum of two weeks is allowed for each assignment to be completed and submitted. This should be enough time to turn in assignments ON TIME. POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS. PROJECTS MORE THAN FOURTEEN (14) DAYS LATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! NO EXCEPTIONS.
MID-TERM EXAM: A mid-term test will be given during the eighth (8th) week of the semester. There are 50 points possible. The written test may be taken at the Campus Testing Center at a time of your convenience. (Click here for more info. about the Testing Center — part of Campus QTVR tour.) A standard 100-question ScanTron card (green ink) is required to participate in the mid-term. Also be sure to take some identification with your photo. Students arriving for the test without a photo ID and a ScanTron card will be turned away.
FINAL EXAM: A final test will be given during the scheduled time for this class period. There are 50 points possible. A standard 100-question ScanTron card (green ink) is required to participate in the final. Students arriving for the final without a ScanTron card will be turned away. While the time allocated for the final test is two hours, you should be able to complete this test in 30 minutes. Any student not present one-half hour after the final exam begins will be considered a "no show" for the final and will not be allowed to take the test. DO NOT BE LATE!
To review for both the mid-term and final exams, check HERE for example questions and suggested areas you should know.
MISSED LESSONS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND TESTS: First and foremost, technical problems with computers or software will NOT be accepted as a reason for late coursework. Technology is not an excuse; it is a resource. If you cannot figure out how to use the technology to accomplish the coursework and meet the published deadlines, perhaps you should consider another area of study. Points will be deducted for late submissions. No lessons from the workbook will be accepted more than six (6) days late. Assignments (not to be confused with lessons) will not be accepted if over fourteen (14) days late. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY, REGARDLESS OF THE EXCUSE! All lessons and assignments are given specific due dates during the semester. Tests will be administered at the times specified in this syllabus. If you cannot take a test at the scheduled time, due to an APPROVED conflict in priorities, you must contact the instructor and arrange to take the test early. The highest grades are typically given to those who plan ahead, budget their time, and deliver their work on time.
GRADING PHILOSOPHY: The production values you put into your assignments is a significant factor in the points evaluation. Adherance to the technical specifications of the assignment will also be checked -- stage size and color modes are the most-often ignored issues that will lose points. If you hand in all the assignments on time and score well on the tests, you will receive at least a "C" grade. A higher grade can be earned on the creative and design components that you add to your assignments. We are all looking for more than the minimum work required to meet the assignments. If you have questions about what is considered "A"-, "B"-, or "C"-level work for this course, read this page on establishing grading criteria. Additional information can be deduced from the published rubrics for each assignment on the VT GRADES page. If you have further questions, contact the instructor for clarification.
GRADING:
Points for course work are earned by turning in assignments and taking tests on time. (See the weekly course and assignments schedule for the due dates.) Allocation of points for the four major components of course work are as follows:
| Research Paper | 50 points |
| 5 Workbook Lessons (10 points each) | 50 points |
| Five (5) Creative Projects (50 points each) | 250 points |
| Written Mid-Term Exam | 50 points |
| Written Final Exam | 50 points |
| Total points possible | 450 points |
Letter grades will be earned based on the following percentages of the total points possible:
| IMPORTANT: Letter grades below a "C-" in any course designated as part of the Visual Technologies program cannot be used toward obtaining a Certificate of Competency or a degree. For further information, contact Dana Kelvington, advisor for ATE programs, or Shari Gowers, advisor for four-year baccalaureate degrees. |
Send questions and comments to
woodland@dixie.edu
