GREAT BASINCOLLEGE
Spring Semester 2006

GRC 119 E01

Computer Graphics/Digital Media

InstructorKathy Schwandt

office: HighTechCenter (HTC) Room 129, 753-2218

Time7:00 – 9:45 p.m., Tuesdays

PlaceHTC Room 108

Website

Textbook

/ Multimedia Concepts, Enhanced Edition – Illustrated Introductory
Shuman, Jim
ISBN: 0-619-11052-X © 2003

Catalog Description

Introduction to the key digital elements of multimedia. Overview of hardware & software, design principles, and management skills needed to develop dynamic, interactive multimedia products. Comfort using a Windows 95 or later operating system is strongly recommended.

3 credits.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this class, students will… / Assessments that meet these course objectives:
be able to comprehensively define multimedia; / Participation in Class Discussions, Written Assignments, Hands-On Assignments and Final Project
be able to identify the elements of multimedia, such as sound, animation, video, text, and graphics; / Participation in Class Discussions, Written Assignments, Hands-On Assignments and Final Project
have usedmultimedia authoring software tools; / Hands-On Assignments and Final Project
be able to describe computer system requirements for multimedia development and playback; / Participation in Class Discussions, Written Assignments, Hands-On Assignments and Final Project
Course Objectives, continued
Upon successful completion of this class, students will… / Assessments that meet these course objectives:
have worked with text, graphics, sound, animation, and video in the context of basic multimedia development; / Hands-On Assignments and Final Project
have planned, designed, created, and tested a basic multimedia title with development and completion of the final project; / Participation in Class Discussions, Written Assignments, Hands-On Assignments and Final Project
be able to explain considerations when developing multimedia for the web and when developing for other delivery methods; / Participation in Class Discussions, Written Assignments, Hands-On Assignments and Final Project
be able to demonstrate understanding of project management regarding multimedia title development. / Participation in Class Discussions, Written Assignments, Hands-On Assignments and Final Project

Kathy’s office schedule for spring 2006

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
1:00 - 2:00 / 1:00 - 2:00 / 1:00 - 3:45
Office Hours / Office Hours / GRC 119 E02
2:00 - 5:00
2:30 - 3:45 / Office Hours / 2:30 - 3:45
GRC 256 / GRC 256
4:00 - 5:15 / 4:00 - 5:15
GRC 183 / GRC 183
7:00 - 9:45
GRC 119 E01
The gray boxes are the times when I should be available to meet with students in my office, preferably with
an appointment. The other labeled boxes are the times when I will be / teaching in class.
If I am unavailable, please leave a voice mail message at 753-2218, an e-mail message at
or leave a message with Tami, the receptionist. I will contact you ASAP.

Methods of Instruction

  • explanation, demonstration, and examples of multimedia concepts and software tools and techniques using in-class and online resources
  • hands-on software assignments incorporating multimedia concepts and software tools and techniques
  • reading and written assignments from textbook, handouts, and online sources
  • in-class discussions based on assigned readings and hands-on software assignments
  • group work
  • working in pairs
  • individual work

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Attendance and Participation

You must attend class. Attendance records are kept and you need to notify me in advance if you expect to miss a class. If I’m not notified, your absence will be recorded as unexcused. The college catalog states

“Unexcused hours of absence in excess of the number of course credit hours is excessive. This translates to two hours of absence for a two-credit class, three hours of absence for a three-credit class, and so on. An instructor can drop any student who has excessive unexcused absences. An instructor has the sole right to excuse an absence, assign makeup work, or apply a punitive grading policy as established by the instructor’s syllabus for the class. Specifically, you are expected to comply with the attendance policy set by each instructor.”

(p. 49 of the 2005-2006 GBC General Catalog)

Please consider:

  • Attendance and class participation are part of your final grade.
  • There will be lots of class discussion. Be prepared for participation.
  • You should work on hands-on projects in class when scheduled regardless if you can work on a project at another location. I’m here to help you, and I want to observe your progress.

If, for some reason, you feel that you cannot complete the course, you must officially withdraw from the class by the course drop deadline (Friday, April 21, 2006) by contacting Admissions & Records at 753-2102, and completing the Course Withdraw Form.

  • Officially withdrawing results in a "W" on your grade report. The "W" is not used in computing your cumulative GPA; it will appear on your transcript and be permanent.
  • If you do not officially withdraw, your grade will be based on the work you have completed averaged with zeros for work you have not completed.

Course Grade

Grades describe the quality of work completed. Grading in this course is based upon the following:

Attendance & Participation20%

Weekly Assignments60%

Final Project20%

Attendance and Participation is evaluated based on quality of participation duringclass discussions and while working on assignments and projects.

Weekly Assignments’ evaluations vary depending on type of assignment, and are specified for each assignment. For example, expository written work will be evaluated based on quality of content and mechanics of writing; software assignments will be evaluated based on the criteria of each assignment. Each graded weekly assignment is worth 100 points; all weekly assignments may not be graded. No late work is accepted, unless turning in work late has been approved by the instructor prior to its due date.

The Final Project will be development of your own digital multimedia-rich product. Details about the Final Project will be provided later in the semester after you have completed several weeks of learning about multimedia.

If you have any questions about any of the assignments, please let me know—before the due date!

The final course grade is calculated on a percentage scale and then recorded as the corresponding grade point value and letter grade as shown below.

PercentageGrade Point ValueLetter GradeQuality of Work

94-1004.0ASuperior

90-933.7A-

87-893.3B+

83-863.0BAbove Average

80-822.7B-

77-792.3C+

73-762.0CAverage

70-721.7C-

67-691.3D+

63-661.0DBelow Average

60-620.7D-

<600.0FFailure

Grade Appeals

If a student has concerns or complaints about grading, s/he should follow the steps of the published procedures as stated on page 52 in the 2005-2006GBC General Catalog.

Class Work

Students should keep their graded work until they know their final course grade at the end of the semester in case there is any discrepancy in grades.

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General Education Objectives

Communications Skills Objective (strong)

Students will be responsible for completing weekly assignments involving oral and written forms of communication, including presentations (informal and formal) and discussions.

Presentations and discussions will be evaluated on evidence of: insight, quest for knowledge, and reflection.

Written assignments will be evaluated on content and mechanics.

Research, comprehension, and analysis of course-related materials will be expected from students throughout the course; materials will be from print and online resources.

The final project will be the development of an interactive digital multimedia title, which inherently requires effective written and graphic communication. The final project will be evaluated on appearance, content, organization, usability, layout, navigation, spelling, and grammar.

Students will give a descriptive oral and visual presentation of their final project multimedia title. The presentation will be evaluated on preparedness, organization, clarity, content, appropriate length, and delivery.

Critical Thinking Objective (strong)

The progression of this class toward the development of an interactive multimedia title requires creativity, logic, quantitative reasoning, and inquiry as the means toward knowledge.

Quantitative Ability Element

Students will determine appropriate file sizes for elements in their multimedia titles. This determination includes calculating optimal image resolutions, image dimensions, and file formats of all the multimedia elements; and the calculation of the size of the finished multimedia title. Specific file size calculation is addressed each week beginning with Week 4.

When designing with multimedia elements, students will have to consider varying capabilities of playback systems, and speed/size limitations of online delivery. These considerations are addressed from Week 3 through final project work.

Reasoning and Independent Thought Element

Students will search the Internet for class resources. Potential resource sites will be evaluated based on relevancy to class concepts, authority of sites, credibility of sites, and usefulness of sites. Students will contribute to an online resource guide on the class web site in the areas of multimedia planning, design, software, development, and testing. Online searches and referencing begin in the second week of class and continue through final project work.

Beginning with Week 2 and continuing through Week 13, students will analyze existing multimedia titles based on design, content, and usability.

Beginning with Week 2 and continuing through final project work, students will evaluate types of software available and will determine what is appropriate for creation of various multimedia elements.

Beginning with Week 3 and continuing through final project work, students will learn and apply steps involved in the management of a multimedia title, including planning, development, design, and testing.

Scientific Understanding Element

By experimenting with methods of multimedia title development throughout the course, students will gain relevant hands-on experience and knowledge.

Each week, Week 1 through Week 13, students will participate in inquiry-based discussions about the characteristics of a well-designed multimedia title. These characteristics emphasize user-centered design, which is a process that focuses on cognitive factors (such as perception, memory, learning, and problem-solving) as they occur during a person’s interaction with a multimedia title. They will apply knowledge of these characteristics to the development of their own multimedia titles in their final projects.

Concepts such as digital data representation and additive vs. subtractive light will be addressed.

Personal and Cultural Awareness Objective (moderate/considerable)

Sense of Individual in Society Element (to some degree)

Ultimately, the audience for a multimedia title is an individual. Analyzing their own reaction to a variety of multimedia titles will inform students’ own title development. They will recognize they are developing for unique individuals as well as (potentially) for the masses. Students must always consider their intended audience when planning the design of their own multimedia titles for their final projects.

Sense of the Past Element (to some degree)

Periodically during the course, students will consider, discuss, or write about how multimedia has impacted communication, interactivity vs. passivity, what’s constant in communication, and what’s innovative in communication.

Sense of Accountability Element (significant)

Throughout the course, students will consider, discuss, or write about ethical accountability. Topics concerning ethical accountability include privacy policies, copyrights, licenses, citation of sources, and intellectual property rights.

Throughout the course, students will consider, discuss, or write about practical accountability. Topics concerning practical accountability include usability and usefulness.

Appreciation of Fine Arts Element (significant)

The entire course will incorporate recognizing and valuing creative human expression—our own and others’.

Characteristics of well-designed multimedia fall into the categories of usefulness and usability. Usefulness considers intended audience, content, interactivity, and user retention; usability considers visibility, user memory load, feedback, accessibility, layout and navigation, legibility, language, and visual design.

Personal Wellness Objective (some degree)

Students will discuss potential problems with extensive computer use and methods of prevention.

The class atmosphere will be one of openness, expression, and acceptance.

Throughout the class, students will have the opportunity to enjoy a feeling of accomplishment as they create with computers, discuss their research findings, and upon successful development of their own multimedia title.

Technological Understanding Objective (strong)

The primary tools used in this class will be computer technology based, hardware and software.

Students will use standard computer hardware, and may use a CD burner, zip drive, graphics tablet, scanner, and digital camera.

Students will use a variety of software, which may include file management, word processing, database, presentation, web browser, web page design, vector graphics, bitmap graphics, authoring, digital video editing, and digital audio editing.

1

Academic Integrity

Although students are encouraged to work together, assignments are to be completed on an individual basis. Great BasinCollege is dedicated to education. Therefore, the college demands a high level of scholarly behavior and academic honesty. No form of academic dishonesty is acceptable. If two or more students turn in the same assignments, punitive measures as described in the Rules and Disciplinary Procedures for Members of the University Community will be enforced.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Qualified students with physical or documented learning disabilities have the right to free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Great BasinCollege. For assistance, contact Student Services at 753-2279 or 753-2361.If you need special course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please let me know at your earliest convenience.

Student Computer Lab Use

The computer labs are provided as a service to students. Use of the computer lab is a privilege, not a right. Users must refrain from doing anything that annoys others or disrupts their education. The computer lab cannot be used for non-college work. If you notice anyone violating the policy of the computer lab, notify one of the lab assistants or a faculty member immediately.

Expect to use the lab often unless you have the software you need available to you outside the lab. There are several hours each week when a lab aide monitors the lab, and is available to assist students.

Lab Rules

  1. Computer lab use is restricted to authorized individuals: students, faculty, and staff with appropriate logins.
  2. Logins are issued to individual users and ARE NOT to be used by anyone else.
  3. Food and drink are prohibited while in a computer lab. Items may be left on a table outside of a lab.
  4. Children are allowed in the labs only if they are enrolled in a course offered specifically for them.
  5. Internet access is to be used for class-related work only. Internet activities will be randomly monitored.
  6. Computer labs are for students to use for class-related work only.
  7. Copying of ANY software is prohibited without prior authorization.
  8. No ringing cellular phones in the labs.

Final Notes

Don’t let yourself get behind! Once we begin, we will address several concepts in each class. If you are confused about any particular concept, let me know immediately.

You will be learning a tremendous amount of new material in this semester. For some, all this new information may be overwhelming. Be patient. You are here to learn and I am here to facilitate your learning.

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College Class/Being Employed Analogy

Attending a college class is analogous to being employed.

Success on the job is achieved only with hard work and effort. This is also true of a college class.

Your employer (your instructor) expects you to be

  • on the job everyday (attend each class)
  • on time
  • prepared to work each day

You are allowed only a specific number of sick days each year after which your pay is “docked.” This is also true of this class. Regular and prompt attendance is essential, and your “sick” days are limited (see the Attendance section of this syllabus, above). Excessive absences will result in the loss of your job (dropped from the class).

Meetings are an essential part of the workplace, and everyone is expected to attend regularly and contribute to the discussion. If you miss an excessive number of meetings and/or do not share vital information, your employment success is in jeopardy. The same holds true for this class. You are not only expected to attend all of our “meetings,” but you are expected to contribute to class discussions. This requires you come to each class prepared to discuss the assigned material. Failure to do so will put your success in jeopardy and can result in a reduction in your “salary” (grade).

Your employer requires you to submit all reports on time. Failure to do so will endanger your employer’s business and your success. The same is true for this class. All “reports” (weekly assignments) are due at their scheduled time. Failure to submit reports will result in a reduction in your “salary” (grade) or the loss of your job (dropped from the class).

Performance reviews occur in the workplace, and your employer determines the degree of your success during these reviews. Such is the case in this class. The “performance review” for this class is the project. This project requires you to show not only your knowledge of the material, but also your ability to use this knowledge in real-world situations. Your “pay” (grade) depends upon the magnitude of your performance.

If you…

  • attend class regularly, well-prepared and in a timely manner
  • participate in class discussions
  • submit all assignments on time
  • do well on your project

…you have the potential to excel in this class. Good luck!

A Grade of “A” versus “C”

The following chart is a profile of the characteristic attitudes and behaviors of both the typical “A” student and the typical “C” student, originated by John H. Williams of PepperdineUniversity.

Hopefully, this chart will help you to see that the path to a grade of A is not vague; you can consciously adopt these attitudes and behaviors to increase your likelihood of success. Conversely, if you do not have the time or desire to earn an A, you are encouraged to modify your expectations and work toward a more attainable grade.

“A” or Outstanding Students / “C” or Average Students
1. Ability (Talent)
...have special aptitude, motivation, or a combination of both. This talent may include either or both creativity and organizational skills. / ...vary greatly in aptitude. Some are quite talented but their success is limited by a lack of organizational skills or motivation. Others are motivated but lack special aptitude.
2. Attendance (Commitment)
...never miss class. Their commitment to the class resembles that of their instructor. Attending class is their highest priority. / ...periodically miss class and/or are often late. They either place other priorities, such as a job, ahead of class or have illness/family problems that limit their success.
3. Attitude (Dedication)
...show initiative. Their desire to excel makes them do more work than is required. / ...seldom show initiative. They never do more than required and sometimes do less.
4. Communication Skills
...write well and speak confidently and clearly. Their communication work is well-organized, covers all relevant points, and is easy to listen to/read. / ...do not write or speak particularly well. Their thought processes lack organization and clarity. Their written work may require a second reading by the instructor to comprehend its meaning.
5. Curiosity
...are visibly interested during class and display interest in the subject matter through their questions. / ...participate in class without enthusiasm, with indifference, or even boredom. They show little, if any, interest in the subject matter.

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