MassComm - MM110 Communicating with Multimedia

This site is an interactive syllabus for
MM110 Communicating with Multimedia
Tuesday eve: 7:00PM - 9:50PM
Fall 2001
Taught by Carrie Wiley (see the class)

Students should refer to this site for important
information and weekly course materials.

Carrie Wiley
day & eve (781) 821-5781
carrie@sixthsensestudio.com
http://www.sixthsensestudio.com

Office Hours are 1 hour before class or by appointment.
Students can find Carrie in the lab -or-
in the adjuct faculty lounge - room 192

--> All students are provided a MassComm email account, example = "eg411@stu.aii.edu."
--> You are expected to know how to use the email system and to check email regularly.
--> Instructors are required to use email as the primary method of communicating with students outside of class.
--> Students who don't use the MassComm web site to check their Mass Comm account on a regular basis are required to minimally forward its contents to the email account that they do check frequently.
--> If you fail to do this then you are at risk of missing important class instructions. Should you fail to do this and you do "miss" important information (which can effect your grade) then you are held liable.

You are expected to use email responsibly and respectfully. Refer to Student Code of Conduct as well as "Policy on Computing Ethics" and "Acceptable Use Policy for Networks" for further descriptions on these policies.

Your grade is determined by attendance, assignments, quizzes, and your final project. All grading is measured on how well you execute the assignment and how well you meet the course objectives.

OBJECTIVES AND COMPETENCIES
--> Introduction to Multimedia as a means of communicating, educating, training, or offering a service.
--> Cover basic terms used in discussing and designing for Multimedia.
--> Apply and understand elements layout and design including: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity.
--> Understand the different types of graphics (draw-type and bitmap,) and onscreen typography.
--> Use Inspiration 6.0 for flowcharting and PowerPoint Mac 2001 for creating the Multimedia prototype.
--> Focus on planning (75% planning, 25% development) for multimedia projects.
--> Write project proposal documents including the following details: goal, subject, target audience, and communication statement.
--> Overview of the multimedia process and team roles reviewed in lectures and experienced in the team project.
--> Many multimedia platforms will be investigated including kiosks, CDRoms, Web, and games.
--> Take a concept from idea through the development process of flowcharting, storyboarding, and create a prototype.

HOW OBJECTIVES WILL BE MET
Readings, completion of assignments, presentation skills, participation in critiques, quizzes and team projects all contribute to the overall grade. Below shows the details on what makes up the grade.

Weekly reading from the following textbooks:

The Non-Designers Design Book, Robin Williams

Multimedia Concepts, Thomson Publishers

The Elements of Style, Strunk & White (provided in your Freshmen Package)

Handouts:
--> Interactivity
--> Design of Everyday Things
--> Don't Make Me Think

Review the Books & Links for more recommended materials

Late assignments will not be allowed. If an assignment is late, it is graded as a failure. Should you not complete two assignments in a row, then you are required to set-up an appointment with me to discuss your class participation. In the event that you provide a good reason for your failure to provide assignments, makeup work may be permitted.

Please note: No makeup work is allowed except through prior arrangements with me, and I only permit the makeup of work due to a legitimate absence.

College guidelines for academic integrity are strictly enforced. Copying materials or otherwise using the words, thoughts, audio/video/graphics files of others is plagiarism, which could result in various penalties ranging from project failure to administrative action. Administrative action may include dismissal from the course and/or probation or dismissal from the school. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook.

Course work at Massachusetts Communication College is very hands-on and you are expected to attend every class. Poor attendance will affect a studentÕs final grade in a class as follows:

--> Our college-wide standard is: a student with more than 3 absences (2 during Summer Semester) will have their earned academic grade lowered one letter grade (ex: B+ to C+).
--> More than 4 absences (3 during Summer Semester) will lower their grade to D.
--> You are responsible for making up assignments and communicating with their instructors regarding missed classes.
--> All faculty members have phone contact info and email to help you contact them.

The college does not distinguish between excused or unexcused absences, no matter what the circumstances. If a student's absences are due to a pro-longed unexpected illness, it is advisable for the student to discuss their situation with their advisor and withdraw for the semester until the illness allows them to return to school. All withdrawals must be approved through their advisor and administration and will not be fully considered unless the appropriate paperwork is completed.

The withdrawal exception is if a student misses ALL of his or her classes for two consecutive weeks, they are then automatically withdrawn from the college. Discussion of this situation may entail meetings with your advisor, the department chair and the Dean of the College.

--> If a student arrives late or leaves early from class, it is noted in the attendance roster.
--> Four late arrivals/early departures count the same as a full absence. Further, if a student is more than 30 minutes late to a class or leaves more than thirty minutes before the conclusion of a class he or she will be marked with a one-half absence for that class. Two half absences count the same as missing an entire class.

This category outlines important class issues such as care of equipment, food in studios/labs, etc.

--> Any student caught using the computers and/or Internet for any pornographic, indecent, or unacceptable means will be given an automatic "F" for the course, and administrative procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook.
--> Cell Phones, beepers, and personal headsets (portable CD players, etc.) are not allowed by faculty or students.
--> Respect for self, instructor, and classmates are required at all times. Refer to Student Handbook for Student Code of Conduct
--> All students will give their full attention to the instructor during class lectures and labs.

The following behaviors will not be tolerated:
- Talking while others are presenting information
- Doing other class work (not part of the current class) while class is in process
- Reading other materials while class is in process
- Eating in the lab during class
- Using Instant Messenger during class

This section is to alert you of College Academic Support Services.

--> Students with known disabilities should contact their instructors and the Student Services Office to ensure that the disability has been documented.
--> Academic Support (tutoring) is provided to any student in need of such.

Students who feel they are able to assist with tutoring for this course should also contact their instructor and/or the Student Services Office to offer their services, in some cases this will be a paid service.