DM10
Syllabus
Digital
Media Literacy
Fall Semester 2008
What
matters is how effectively the information is presented,
how
effectively the story is told.
4 units lecture/lab Instructor:
Telephone: (707) 476-4372 E-Mail: clyde-johnson@redwoods.edu
Class times: 4:00-5:25pm MW at the Eureka Downtown computer lab
Office hours (AD100P): by
appointment
Instructor Lab hours: tba
Course Availability: The course does not have prerequisites and is designed for anyone who uses a computer and wants to learn more about using media on the computer.
Instructor Contact:
You may contact me at the email
address listed above. On weekdays during the academic year I will usually
respond the same day or the next. Email may be the best way to contact me although be sure to put DM10 in the subject so I can identify the
message. If I do not reply to an email there is
a chance the college email filter may have filtered out your message. My office
phone number is 707-476-4372 where you can also leave a voice-mail message. You
can even visit me in person at my
Required Textbook:
Recommended
Materials: File back-up – USB stick,
CD burner (options available for those who don’t), scanner or digital camera
(options available for those who don’t)
Student Requirements: Prerequisites: None Recommended preparation: None
Course
Description: Digital Media Literacy is about
understanding the technical and design fundamentals of multimedia: text,
graphics, audio, video, animation, and interactivity. Students will then
apply this understanding through basic media development skills and follow
a defined production process to design and create an interactive multimedia
presentation on an appropriate topic of their choice.
Course Objectives:
1. To understand the elements of multimedia: text,
graphics, audio, video, animation, interactivity
2. To understand how and where digital media is being used.
3. To understand the basic uses of digital media software
and hardware.
4. To understand various issues in connection with digital
media.
5. To learn to develop multimedia presentations using
Microsoft PowerPoint.
6. To learn basic use of other development software:
Photoshop, Audition, Cool3D, and Morphman.
Personal project: Your
final project will be compiled in PowerPoint or OpenOffice
and you will be developing content for this presentation throughout the
semester. This presentation will include all the elements of multimedia: audio,
video, text, graphics, animation and interactivity. This project will be the
result of detailed planning which will include outlines, sketches, and
storyboards. A complete description of options and requirements for this
project will be provided. You will be submitting a topic proposal as one of the
first assignments.
Copyright Guidelines: Throughout the DM
program the Fair Use Provisions of U.S. Copyright law are
to be followed. A linked document describing these provisions can be found on
the class website.
Equipment Check-out: Cameras and audio equipment may be made
available for you to take check out. You must currently be holding a C or
better grade to check out equipment and sign an agreement of liability for
replacement cost if the equipment is lost or damaged.
Grading: 100-90%
= A, 89-80% = B, 79-65% = C, 64-55% = D, below 55% = F
Incomplete
Grades: In general, incomplete grades are not given. However,
exceptions are made if you have extenuating circumstances. Please talk to me at
the time of the problem. In order to get an incomplete grade you must be
receiving at least a C grade at the time of the problem. Incomplete grades are
not given during the last two weeks of school.
Your Computer Skills:
Online courses require adequate computer skills. You should be able to navigate
web sites, open and download files, save and manage a variety of file types,
use a word processor to develop documents, and submit files to Blackboard.
Although the course is designed as an introductory course, students with basic
computer skills will have fewer technological obstacles and be able to focus on
the development of quality content, which is what the course is really about.
Software Requirements: The course will use various development software, each having
a free alternate that can be downloaded from the web. The presentation
software for the course will be Microsoft PowerPoint and you will be able to
use the free Open Office Impress as an alternative. Other
software will include Adobe Photoshop (free alternate - Gimp), Audacity,
and Windows Movie Maker (or IMovie for the Mac). Later in the course you will have options to use Morphman and Cool3D, both have free trial versions but you should not download these yet as the free versions have time limits before expiring. Specific instructions for software
will be included in the course information or with specific assignments. It is the
student’s responsibility to meet the basic technological requirements of the course.
Computer Requirements: The course is designed and delivered through the
Windows operating system although Mac Systems should typically work fine with course content. Students with Mac systems may need to follow additional guidelines so your work will be compatible with the instructor's
computer. Broadband
services through cable, DSL, or satellite providers are highly recommended as media
files for the course, and files you submit for course credit, can be quite
large. Besides the course software mentioned above, you will need a Flash
player installed with your Internet browser (free download), a PowerPoint player if using OpenOffice and don't have PowerPoint, a sound card with
sound controls (common with most computers), and speakers or headphones. A scanner and/or digital camera are optional but recommended so you will be able to add original content to your presentations if desired. You
need to have regular access to the internet at least twice a week for 15 weeks.
Time Commitment: DM10 is a 4-unit class with 3-units lecture and 1-unit lab. The typical
3-unit lecture, 1-unit lab class can require about 12 hours per week of your
time. You will need to attend class regularly, research specific topics on the web, read textbook chapters, write and submit
papers, participate in online discussions using a discussion board, complete
online quizzes and computer tutorials, develop visual and aural content that
meets specific criteria, and submit a final project at the end of the semester.
Waitlist Policy: Registration
is easiest online using web advisor. If the class is closed, please do not
contact me as I will direct you to web advisor and encourage you to keep trying
to add the class. The class will open and close during the winter break
depending on the number of students who drop the class before it
begins. As a result, although the class may be closed you should check
periodically as it will open whenever someone withdraws.
Accommodations: If you need accommodations to succeed in this online
class you should contact Disabled and Student Services Program at 707-476-4280
and the instructor. This course is designed to be accessible to students who
have visual or auditory impairments.
Eureka Campus Lab Access: You are welcome to use the computer labs on the Eureka campus (FM109 and FM108). Faculty are usually available during open lab times to help with questions you may have. FM109 has PowerPoint, FM108 has all the software needed for the course as well as scanners, microphones, and other hardware. Open lab times will be posted in the lab, you do not need to sign up for lab hours and your use of the lab is optional.
Getting
Started: On
or shortly after the College’s first day of class, go to the Blackboard
login site at http://bb.redwoods.edu/ Username
and password instructions are available at this site.
After you login you will find a link to the class where instructions on how to proceed will be posted. You must participate during the first couple weeks or you may be dropped from the class.
The class syllabus, schedule and policies
are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.