Course Syllabus

Course Schedule: June 29th – July 29th

Day 1- June 29
Blogging
Multimedia & The Web		 Discussion:
-Understanding the 5 Types of Media, Web 2.0
-Introduce All Tech 1 Assignments

Tutorials: Using WordPress
 Activity: Write an author bio and update your personal profile.
Activity: Class Photos and Individual Profile photos (groups)
Homework: Post your Media & Me personal statement to the blog.

Study Session:
-Activity: Continue working on Personal Statements
-8pm Critique: Student & Teacher check-in on Personal Statement

Day 2 – July 1
Blogging
Visual Communication		 Activity: Review The Media & Me Personal Statements
Tutorials: Introduction to Photoshop CS5
Activity: Photoshop: Working with image and text – Tools and Layers
Homework:
-Complete Media & Me Assignment – Due on Tuesday (July 6th)
-Complete Author Bio
-Select 3 PSA Poster Topics, Answer the 4 Questions, Post to Blog
Day 3 – July 6
Graphic Design
Persuasive Media		 DUE:
-Assignment #1 DUE at Start of Class
-3 PSA Poster Topics and Answers – Posted to Blog
Discussion: Topic Review and Selection, Creating a Call to Action
Tutorial: Photoshop: Image Harvesting & cutting out content
Activity: Start Working on PSA Poster – Thumbnail Sketches
Homework:
-Finalize Poster Topic and Call to Action – Update the existing blog post
-Begin rough draft PSA Poster layout with finalized text

Study Session:
-Activity: Continue working on PSA Poster
-Tutorial: Layout, Design, and Advanced Photoshop CS5 Techniques
-8pm Critique: Student & Teacher check-in on Personal Statement

Day 4 – July 8
Graphic Design
Visual Communication		 DUE: Selected ‘Call to Action’ – Updated on Blog
Tutorial: Advanced Photoshop Techniques -
Activity: Continue working on your poster
Discussion: Assignment #3 Introduction. What is Podcasting? Working in a time based medium. Overlap with Science Writing Course. 

Homework:
-Finish Call to Action Poster – Due on Tuesday (July 13th)
-Pick a Podcast Topic with your Group – Create Blog Post Outlining Idea
Day 5 – July 13
Podcasting
Participatory Journalism		 DUE: Assignment #2 – PSA Poster – Uploaded to the Blog
Discussion: Audiences & Identifying the most salient aspects of your idea.
Tutorial: Introduction to Soundbooth CS5 – Recording and Tracks
Activity:
-Determining format and structure, making your topic engaging.
-Outlining your script

Homework:
-Write the script for your podcast – upload to blog
-Critique your script in Science Writing
-Be prepared to record vocals on Thursday (July 15th) – Upload to Blog

Study Session:

-Discussion: Adding Effective Audio Cues and Music
-Activity: Script Work Session / Peer Review
-8pm Critique: Student & Teacher check-in on Personal Statement

Day 6 – July 15
Podcasting
Oral Presentation Techniques		 DUE: Final Podcast Script – Uploaded to Blog
Tutorial: Soundbooth CS5 Techniques – Sound Effects, Music, and Output
Activity: Record & Edit vocals
Homework:
-Complete Podcast  and post to the blog
-Create a list of 3 FlashBack Assignment topics with your group.
Day 7 – July 20
Flash & Video
Non-linear presentation		 DUE: Podcast Assignment – Uploaded to Blog, ready to play
Flash Tutorial: Working with the Timeline & Quiz Examples
Video Tutorial: Final Cut Express & Interview Montages
Activity: Create draft frames and scripts for your Educational Widget
Homework: Outline frame content and scripts, Prepare to shoot videos

Study Session:

-Discussion: Adding Effective Audio Cues and Music
-Activity: Script Work Session / Peer Review
-8pm Critique: Student & Teacher check-in on Personal Statement

Day 8 – July 22
Flash & Video
Action Script & Video Editing		 DUE: Script and Frame by Frame Content Explanation

Tutorial: Flash Basics, Actionscript buttons & Advanced animation techniques
Activity: Shooting video and flesh out Flash frames and content
Homework:
-Complete full draft of Flash presentation
-Draft edits of video supplements
Day 9 – July 27
Flash & Video
Animation & Video Editing		 DUE: Rough Draft of Flash Back Assignment #4
Tutorial: Timeline, keyframes, sound, and motion tweening.
Activity: Prepare integration of video and flash
Homework: Finalize Flash presentations & Finalize video supplements
Day 10 – July 29
Flash & Video
Final Wrap-Up		 Activity: Final integration of Flash and video supplements.

Review our great work. Celebrate!

Grading
Blog Posts – 50%
Assignments – 40%
Attendance & Participation – 10%

Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will have:
• Exposure to professional tools for media development
• Understanding of the relationship between design and code
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with online community building
• Participated in civic journalism projects

Course Materials
• Each student will have their own laptop
• Notebook
• Writing Utensils
• USB Flash Drive (optional)

Course Expectations
SMASH scholars are expected to:
• Be prepared each day with laptop, notebook and writing implement
• Upload each assignment before the beginning of class
• Complete all work to the best of your ability
• Assist other students in and out of class
• Proactively obtain course materials from the website
• Use fellow students as a resource for problem solving
• Research concepts and topics online

Specific methods and production strategies will be integrated into each weekly topic. Daily activities include:

  • Review and Critique
  • Group critique of assignment.
  • Discussion / Lecture
  • Examples and class dialogue
  • Dissecting the example
  • Introducing the technique
    		•
  • Work Session
  • Step by step instructions
  • Peer review of progress
  • Progress Review and Next Steps
  • Assesment of remaining steps
  • Troubleshooting
  • Study session arrangments
    		•

    “Science and art belong to the whole world, and before them vanish the barriers of nationality.”

    - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe