Syllabus
Class Description
Welcome to Advanced Multimedia! I’m glad that you have an interest in continuing and advancing your multimedia education.
This is a one-semester intermediate level course that continues to build upon students’ basic knowledge of Photoshop, HTML coding and Claris Homepage. In this course students will learn advanced image alteration techniques for Photoshop, more complex HTML codes, and other methods for building webpages in Claris Homepage. We will also be looking deeper into issues relating to media literacy and analysis as well as stregntherning our sense of design. Projects will continue to combine the creation of computer generated imagery with English, history, art history, current events, popular culture, media literacy and personal experiences.
Course Objectives
Building technical skill
• Develop intermediate and advanced photo altering skills.
• Develop intermediate HTML coding skills.
• Learn more about the programs Photoshop and Claris Homepage.
• Learn how to design projects specifically for the web and for printing.
Cultivating creative expression
• Continue to create unique and meaningful projects based upon beliefs and individual experiences.
• Learn how images and type can work hand-in-hand to convey ideas and mood.
• Develop an understanding of aesthetics in relation to the creation of computer graphics.
• Learn how to successfully incorporate type into projects.
• Develop more sophiscated design skills.
Art analysis and interpretation
• Continue to study artwork by fine artists and use their pieces as inspiration for projects.
• Continue to develop critical thinking skills
• Continue to learn how to analyze, understand and look at artworks.
• Learn more vocabulary that may be used when discussing, discovering and interpreting art.
Outline of Units
Projects in this class will revolve around exploring themes. Subjects such as politics, personal identity, family strudctures, and beauty may be expressed in our class projects and discussions. We will use Adobe Photoshop 7.0, Claris Homepage, and Internet Explorer for our projects. Projects may include, but are not limited to:
• Public service campaigns
• Postcard designs
• Magazine design
• Self-portrait collages
• Family portraits
• Educational web pages
Assessment Methods
Grades will be based upon a diverse range of criteria listed below. They will vary slightly during each marking period:
Projects- 50-65%
Project grades are based upon fulfilling project requirements, work habits in class, technical ability, and design/creativity. You will also be graded on the amount of effort put into the projects. All assignments must be completed to the fullest of your ability. Hurried work will not be accepted, and will have to be redone in order to receive credit. Work must also be turned in on time. 10 points will be deducted from your final project grade for every day late. Projects submitted more than a week late will not be accepted. Each project will be handed in to me electronically and will be accomplice by a self-evaluation form. If either of these two items are missing you will not receive a grade for your project.
Tests and quizzes- 10-20%
There are not many tests or quizzes given in this class. Therefore, it is extremely important that you study for each one. Failing just one quiz or test can significantly lower your overall average.
Homework - 15-25%
Completing homework is essential for this class. Each assignment serves as a foundation for class projects. Late homework will not be accepted. You will automatically receive a zero for late or missing homework. Several points will also be deducted from your project grades for each missing assignment. Missing homework can significantly lower your averages and can quite often result in a failing grade.
Homework grades are as follows:
check minus=70%
check=80%
check plus=90%
check plus, plus=100%
sketches=100 if you complete them, zero if you do not.
Participation-10-20%
Participation is also essential for this class. You must participate in class discussions, critiques, group and individual work. You are expected work hard and to stay on task each and everyday. You must be in class in order to participate. If you are excessively absent or late, you are missing out on opportunities to participate. I will also make phone calls and send progress reports to your parents/guardians.
Course Requirements
There are a few things that are required for this class.
• Multimedia Notebook- Each student is required to have a separate Multimedia section within their binders. I will be giving you many handouts that I will have you refer to throughout the semester. These materials must be on hand at all times. You should also take notes in this notebook. You will be receiving grades based upon your note taking.
• Portfolio- All students are required to save all the projects created in this class on the school’s server. At the end of the class we will be creating a portfolio web pages that will showcase all the work that you created in this class.
• Ask Questions- If you do not understand something ask either me or your neighbor for help. There is nothing worse than sitting in class getting lost and further behind in a project. Asking questions shows that you are thinking and that you are into your work.