Book & materials: Microsoft FrontPage 2000, Adobe Photoshop 5.5 or later, LViewPro 2. 8 or later, Macromedia Flash, Avid Cinema, Sound Forge, or other software as necessary.

Course Description: This course is designed for students who feel comfortable with the basics of technology as taught in the MS Tech Skills course, and who want to go further in developing web sites and other multimedia projects that address the student’s own special interest. The focus of the course is the project each student proposes, plans, and executes.

Part II – ASIJ Schoolwide Student Learning Outcomes

Effective Communicators: Students will explain and write about their projects. Group projects require communication among teams and individuals. Students will demonstrate their completed projects to others and will also keep a log of the progress of their project. Students who act as peer helpers will gain experience in effectively communicating help.

Literate Individuals: Students will have occasions to search for the best way to do something or to learn a new technique, and they will use manuals, help screens, peers, or expert helpers to learn.

Critical Thinkers and Problem Solvers: As students will be working on self-selected projects individually or in small groups, they will have to learn to solve their own problems or seek help from others. When, they propose a project, they essentially have to have a problem for which their project is the solution.

Self-Directed, Productive Learners: Students are responsible for proposing, planning, and executing their projects, whether it is an independent project or a collective project. Students are also responsible for keeping track of their own learning and evaluating how far they have come with their knowledge.

Constructive Community Members: Students will be expected to work with others in the class on some projects. They are also responsible for taking photographs for the school web site, so they will learn how to interact with the people they photograph.

Part III Critical Questions

What is the difference between content and appearance?
How do images enhance content rather than being superfluous?
What is intellectual property and how does it affect our actions when creating projects and reports?
How do you make the most of learning opportunities when you are responsible for your own learning?

Part IV Technology Use and Library Use

Most work will be done in the aforementioned graphics programs or FrontPage 2000, although students may have occasion to use video editing programs, sound editing programs, or other programs to accomplish their tasks. In addition, students will be expected to research their topics on the Internet and understand and follow copyright restrictions and U.S. fair use guidelines.

Part V What Students Should Know and Be Able to Do

Content: (What are the key topics and concepts of the course?)

The key topic of the course is for students to substantially advance their understanding of multimedia while creating a project that has personal meaning for them. Introductory topics will include basic HTML or XHTML, electronic image formats and color definitions. Students will also learn the ethical implications of their actions and all will be expected to adhere to ethical guidelines in using technology as well as using others’ works.

Student Outcomes: (What skills do we want students to possess after successful completion of course?)

The skills will vary with the project each student selects. However, students should be able to demonstrate that they have gone a substantial distance in their understanding and skill in their particular area. However, all students will be expected to show their understanding of ethics.

Part VI Examples of Expanded Assessment

Projects: Students will propose, plan, and produce projects, which will be assessed on learning as well as on technical achievement as well as content.
Class participation and assistance. Students will be assessed on their participation in class and their willingness to work with others and share their expertise with others.
Self-Assessment: The primary assessment used in the course will depend on the students assessing their learning, and supporting that learning with evidence.

Those involved with preparing this syllabus: Marguerite Arnote, Polly Casmar, Don Weber, Ellis Melton

Date: March 4, 1996,

Revision: May, 1997

Revision C May 2001 (D. Fincher)

Revision D May 2002 (D. Fincher)

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