DTC 477: Advanced Multimedia Authoring
Spring 2019
Class: T 5:45pm – 8:15pm
Location: VMMC 111
Instructor: Will Luers
Phone: 503-975-3254
Email: wluers@wsu.edu
Office Hours: T 12-1pm and 4:30pm–5:30pm in VMMC room 30
NOTE: All matters associated with this course are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to students.
Course Rationale
DTC 477 Advanced Multimedia Authoring builds on the HTML/CSS skills developed in DTC 355 and provides a broad look at the various tools, design approaches and scripting languages (such as HTML5, CSS3, Javascript and jQuery) for creating dynamic multimedia objects for a variety of platforms, including mobile phones and tablets. The world of digital publishing is changing rapidly and this class seeks to respond creatively and analytically to these changes by introducing students to an array of skill sets.
Learning Goals
| Required Course Activities | University Learning Goals | University Learning Objectives | CMDC Goals & Objectives |
| 1. What Thing Are You? (Javascript basics) | Critical and Creative Thinking (ULG1)
Communication (ULG4) |
Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways.
Express concepts propositions, and beliefs in coherent, concise, and technically correct form. |
Goal 1: Demonstrate competency with computers for designing, distributing, retrieving, and preserving digital works in various mediums for humane and effective human-computer interactions
Goal 2: Synthesize media forms for multimedia contexts Goal 3: Employ the principles of visual form for sophisticated image manipulation |
| 2. Maps Project: Javascript and jQuery (introduction to programming and geolocation) | Critical and Creative Thinking (ULG1)
Communication (ULG4) Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (ULG2) |
Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways.
Express concepts propositions, and beliefs in coherent, concise, and technically correct form. Understand and apply quantitative, symbolic and computational principles and methods in the solution of problems |
Goal 7 Recognize various forms of language processing and their implications for media authoring |
| 3. Creative Programming Project: Javascript and jQuery (program an original interactive object) | Critical and Creative Thinking (ULG1)
Communication (ULG4) Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (ULG2) |
Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways.
Express concepts propositions, and beliefs in coherent, concise, and technically correct form. Understand and apply quantitative, symbolic and computational principles and methods in the solution of problems |
Goal 7 Recognize various forms of language processing and their implications for media authoring |
| 3. Final Project: Design and Build Game (responsive HTML5 app with Javascript) | Critical and Creative Thinking (ULG1)
Information Literacy (ULG2) Communication (ULG4) Depth, Breadth, and Integration of Learning (ULG7) |
Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways.
Determine the extent and type of information needed. Express concepts propositions, and beliefs in coherent, concise, and technically correct form.By applying the concepts of the general and specialized studies to personal, academic, service learning, professional, and/or community activities. |
Goal 7 Recognize various forms of language processing and their implications for media authoring
Goal 5 Know the basics of information architecture and knowledge management along with ways digital information can be structured for retrieval and archival purposes for different audiences |
The assignments and activities for this course reflect these objectives and serve to assist students with reaching program goals.
Course Structure
- Focus on the manual creation of web-based objects and other digital interfaces
- Readings, discussion of concepts, and application of theory
- Multiple assignments and projects
- Conceptual and creative work with ideas explored in this course
Required Course Texts and other resources
- Codeacademy.com: Introduction to JavaScript and Introduction to jQuery tutorials
- Selected online readings
- Flash drive or portable media storage on which you can save and transport your work
Course Point-Earning Opportunities
- 2 Quizzes (2 x 10%): 20%
- Mini-projects (5 X 5%): 25%
- Javascript Tutorial: 10%
- jQuery Tutorial: 5%
- Map Story: 10%
- Creative Programming: 10%
- Final Project: 20%
General Project Guidelines
- Multimedia projects should address usability, navigation, and design issues raised in this course and in DTC355
- Multimedia projects should utilize attractive and effective design and layout
- JavaScript/jQuery coding, HTML/CSS mark-up, site design and content must be your own work, unless otherwise specified
- Content should be substantive and should be written/created by you
- All images not created by yourself must be clearly labeled with ownership and copyright information
- Multimedia projects should be checked thoroughly for errors. There is no excuse for sloppy writing and such mistakes will count against you.
Assessment and Final Grades
Both attendance and participation will be monitored and deficiencies in either/both will result in lower final grades. Participation means being attentive in class, joining in discussions, engaging in informal critiques and completing all in-class and outside assignments.
You are allowed 3 class absences without a deduction of points. Each class absence after that will result in a 3 point deduction from the final cumulative points. It is your responsibility to make sure I check your attendance if you arrive after the start of class. Frequent late arrivals, leaving early, or other forms of lack of attendance will also deduct points from the cumulative total. Absent students remain responsible for all course matters during their absence(s). Opportunities to make up missed work may not be available.
You will receive a mark of absence if you repeatedly arrive late to class, leave early without permission and/or take up valuable class time with activity unrelated to class (such checking mail, facebook or other homework). Stay focused, share ideas, be awesome and you will get an excellent grade. It is that simple.
Final grades are determined from the cumulative points earned, plus or minus any deductions or additions for attendance or participation. No curving, averaging, or other manipulations are utilized. No other assessment or extra credit opportunities are planned. Incompletes are not available. Final grades are based on the following scale:
| A A- |
93-100 90-92 |
| B+ | 87-89 |
| B | 83-86 |
| B- | 80-82 |
| C+ | 77-79 |
| C | 73-76 |
| C- | 70-72 |
| D | – |
| F | 0-69 |
Notice that the grade of “D” is not offered; reverts to “F.”
Submission of Late Work
All work must be submitted as and when required. Late work may not be accepted, or accepted with a substantial penalty. Email submissions of work or work submitted “under the door” or “in the mailbox” will not be accepted. No excuses, no exceptions.
WSU Academic Integrity Statement
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of higher education. As such, all members of the university community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the principles of integrity in all activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. Academic integrity will be strongly enforced in this course. Students who violate WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy (identified in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 504-26-010(3) and -404) will receive [insert academic sanction (e.g., fail the course, fail the assignment, etc.)], will not have the option to withdraw from the course pending an appeal, and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration as defined in the Standards of Conduct for Students, WAC 504-26-010(3). You need to read and understand all of the definitions of cheating: http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=504-26-010. If you have any questions about what is and is not allowed in this course, you should ask course instructors before proceeding. If you wish to appeal a faculty member’s decision relating to academic integrity, please use the form available at https://studentaffairs.vancouver.wsu.edu/student-affairs/student-conduct. If you have any questions about the process on the Vancouver campus, please call Helen Gregory at 360-546-9573.
AWARE network
The AWARE Network is an online resource with a list of important resources as well as an Assistance and Referral From that can be completed by anyone on campus if they have concerns about a particular student. The idea is to make it convenient and easy for the campus community to report a student situation of concern. The online form and other resources are located at http://aware.vancouver.wsu.edu
Classroom safety
Classroom and campus safety are of paramount importance at Washington State University, and are the shared responsibility of the entire campus population. WSU urges students to follow the “Alert, Assess, Act” protocol for all types of emergencies and the “Run, Hide, Fight” (https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cirg/active-shooter-and-mass-casualty-incidents/run-hide-fight-video) response for an active shooter incident. Remain ALERT (through direct observation or emergency notification), ASSESS your specific situation, and ACT in the most appropriate way to assure your own safety (and the safety of others if you are able). Please sign up for emergency alerts on your account at MyWSU. For more information, visit the WSU safety portal (https://oem.wsu.edu/about-us/).
Emergency notification
“WSU has made an emergency notification system available for faculty, students, and staff. Please register at myWSU with emergency contact information (cell, email, text, etc.). You may have been prompted to complete emergency contact information when registering for classes at myWSU. In the event of a building evacuation, a map at each classroom entrance shows the evacuation point for each building. Please refer to it. Finally, in case of class cancellation campus-wide, please check local media, the WSU Vancouver web page (https://www.vancouver.wsu.edu) and/or http://www.flashalert.net/. Individual class cancellations may be made at the discretion of the instructor.
Service/Emotional support animals
Pets are not allowed on campus and service animals must be registered with the WSU Access Center. Please contact the Access Center, Classroom Building (VCLS) room 160, 360-546-9238.
Students with Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities or chronic medical conditions. If you have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit the Access Center website to follow published procedures to request accommodations: https://studentaffairs.vancouver.wsu.edu/access-center. Students may also either contact or visit the Access Center in-person to schedule an appointment with our Access Center Coordinator. Location: Classroom Building, Room 160; Phone: 360-546-9238; Email: van.access.center@wsu.edu. All disability related accommodations MUST be approved through the Access Center. Students with approved accommodations are strongly encouraged to visit with instructors early in the semester during office hours to discuss logistics.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event that an adverse weather event (e.g., snow or ice) or natural hazard that poses a safety risk occurs, you should take personal safety into account when deciding whether you can travel safely to and from campus, taking local conditions into account. If campus remains open and your instructor decides to cancel the face-to-face meeting and substitute an alternative learning activity, you will be notified by your instructor via email or through Blackboard within a reasonable time after the decision to open or close campus has been made. Instructions regarding any alternative learning options or assignments will be communicated in a timely manner. If travel to campus is not possible due to adverse regional conditions, allowances to course attendance policy and scheduled assignments, including exams and quizzes, will be made. Students who attempt to gain advantage through abuse of this policy (e.g., by providing an instructor with false information) may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action. If a student encounters an issue with an instructor, the student should first talk with the instructor. If the issue cannot be resolved, the student should follow the reporting violations of policies outlined on the student affairs website.