SYLLABUS & COURSE OUTLINE

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Course Title and Number: 46-212/2706 - Interactive Multimedia - Bedford Campus

46-212/2351 - Interactive Multimedia - Somerset Campus

Instructor’s Name: James House, Jr.

Office Location and Hours: Technology Building • T-138

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Other conferences by appointment only

Office Phone: 301-784-5308 e-mail: jhouse@allegany.edu

Secretary’s phone: Mrs. Barbara Renotas – 301-784-5328

Day / Time of class meeting: 2706 – Bedford

2351 – Somerset

Required Text and Materials:

1. Essentials for Design – Macromedia Flash MX 2004 – Level One
by Dwayne J. Ferguson - Prentice Hall

2. Student Resource CD – www.prenhall.com/essentials for the
Essentials for Design – Macromedia Flash MX 2004 – Level One

3. Flash MX 2004 Application Software – bundled with your textbook

4. 1 - Blank Zip Disk or Flash/Jump Drive for storage and backup of projects

5. Course website: http://blackboard.allegany.edu

I. PURPOSE

A. A course in interactive multimedia techniques, emphasizing computer production of web pages, and interactive applications.

B. Course Objectives

1. To expose students to the various aspects of multimedia in relation to appropriate and acceptable design techniques used within these media.

2. To learn and understand the principles of PowerPoint, in addition to exposure to more advanced applications such as Flash MX, Director, and Author Ware, using a wide variety of media.

3. Learn how to import graphics to be used in PowerPoint and Web pages using Flash MX.

4. Learn how to apply sound and sound effects to PowerPoint and Web pages using Flash MX.

5. Learn how to export Flash MX presentations and utilize them in other media applications.

6. Learn and understand the basic principles of animation.

7. Expose students to various interactive multimedia based software such as Flash MX and Director

8. Learn the various terms and functions to describe animation in relation to Interactive Multimedia, such as actors, cast members, props, sprites, cells, time-lines, cues, paths, etc..

9. Learn how to import and manipulate graphics in animation programs such as Flash MX.

10. Learn how to import and use sound and sound effects in animation programs.

11. Learn and discuss the various sound file formats and applications for use on the World Wide Web in order to deliver rich multimedia.

12. Expose students to scripting and program languages such as Java, JavaScript and Action Script to enhance web page design for interactivity.

13. Learn the basic principles to applying techniques for creating interactive multimedia with animation.

14. Learn how to export animation as QuickTime Movies and Video to be used on the Internet.

15. Learn how to create animated Gif89A graphics using Fireworks software to create dynamic interactive web pages.

16. Design and discuss using various web page interactive techniques such as roll-overs, client-side/server-side image maps, importing Flash movies, Director movies, Java Applets, Active X controls, CGI scripts and form creation, with DreamWeaver for use on the internet.

17. Discuss HTML and DHTML develop web pages using all of the above applications and learned material.

18. Demonstrations of sampling and editing digital audio using BIAS PEAK and DECK

19. Discuss various sampling rates and bit depths in relation to digital sound

20. Demonstrate various sound file formats, AIFF, WAV, MP3, etc.

21. Demonstrate MIDI and the how to use it with METRO SE software.

22. Discuss and demonstrate the difference between MIDI and digital audio.

23. Demonstrate how to capture video for digital manipulation.

24. Demonstrate video editing software such as STRATA VIDEO and AVID VIDEO.

25. Discuss and use RealAudio and Real Video for use in web pages.

26. Learn and use various video file formats such as QT, MOV MP3, RA, WMP, AVI, etc.

27. Discuss and use various compression techniques for video and audio such as MP3 and MP4 and JPEG, and DVD technology.

II. COURSE POLICIES

A. Attendance Policy

Each student is required to attend all lecture and laboratory classes. At the start of each Communication Media Class (lecture or laboratory), the instructor will formally obtain and record attendance or absence for each enrolled student. It is the responsibility of each student to advise and explain to the instructor his/her late arrival in class after the attendance has been taken. The instructor has the prerogative to record the late arriving student as present or absent. It is the responsibility of each student to advise the instructor of illness or necessary absence that results in missing a Communication Media class. You will be awarded three unexcused absences from either lecture or lab. Beyond this, any unexcused absence carries five-points off the calculated final grade for each unexcused absence marked. For example, if the final GPA is 95% on all tests and lab assignments, but the student has had two unexcused absences, above and beyond the three allowed - that is in reality five classes missed - 10 points will be deducted from the final GPA giving the student a B in the class (see section on grading.) If any student’s lack of attendance and unexcused absences becomes numerous, the instructor has the right to drop the student from the course.

B. Participating

Students are encouraged to participate in lecture by asking questions or by answering questions directed to them by the instructor. No grade value is given to this participation. Students participate in lab by completing hands-on projects.

C. Grading

Students enrolled in Communication Media courses will be issued grades according to the following scale:

1 00 - 90.............. A

89 - 80 ............. B

79 - 70 ............. C

69 - 60 ............. D

59- 0 ............. F

D. Extra Credit - (see instructor)

Basic requirements for each assignment must first be met satisfactory, after which extra work will be accepted. Extra credit will be considered and applied in the case of a borderline grade (a numerical average within one point of the next higher grade) at the end of the semester.

E. Tutoring and Extra Help Sessions

F. Form of Assignments

All written assignments are to be typed.

G. When Assigned Work Is To Be Completed:

All student projects and assignments are due on the date(s) specified by the instructor of the Communication Media course. Any project or assignment turned in by a student after the due date will not be accepted. Consequently, the student will receive a failing grade for the project or assignment. When an instructor extends the due date or a student has a legitimate excuse for not meeting the due date, exception to this policy will apply. When a project or assignment is turned in on or before the due date but receives an unsatisfactory or redo grade, the student will have two weeks from the original due date to submit the second attempt of the project. The instructor will determine the highest possible grade on a project that is redone.

H. Plagiarism and Cheating

Refer to student handbook

1. Make-Up Exams

Students with a valid written medical excuse may take the exam on the first day a student returns to the designated course.

111. BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Required Reading

Essentials for Design – Macromedia Flash MX 2004 – Level One
by Dwayne J. Ferguson - Prentice Hall

B. Recommended readings

Periodically the instructor will encourage and/or assign readings of certain material as it relates to class. These readings will be taken from up-to-date magazine articles or Internet web pages that deal with a specific topic

C. Supplemental learning resources

1. Handout Materials

2. Project Examples

3. Direct Visualize

IV. LIBRARY ASSIGNMENTS - NON APPLICABLE

V. COURSE CONTENT

WEEK 1: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

General Course Information, Course History And Evolution, Changes In The Field, Where We Are Today, The Internet, The Effect Of Graphic Design Through The Advent And Introduction Of The Computer

Exploring Flash MX 2004

Using the property inspector, setting document properties, setting the stage, using the tools panel, suing the grid, guides and rulers, managing frame rate, exploring panel sets, publishing flash movies.

WEEK 2: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Career Opportunities in the Multimedia Environment, Working Applications of Interactive Multimedia

Exploring Flash MX 2004

Checking concepts and terms, skill drill assignments, challenge assignments and portfolio builder.

WEEK 3: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Pre-Visual Design, Marketing, Formatting, Scripts and Storyboards

Drawing and Coloring Objects

Drawing arrows, rectangles and ellipses, lines in Flash MX, using the pen tool, sub-selection tool, brush tool and pencil tool, colorizing objects, choosing colors, fills, paint bucket tool and options, strokes, how to modify and align objects with the align panel, the info panel, using the free transform tool, eraser tool and options, lasso tool, creating complex shapes, grouping and working with layers.

WEEK 4: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Review Of Course Material To This Point

Drawing and Coloring Objects

Checking concepts and terms, skill drill assignments, challenge assignments and portfolio builder.

Exam #1 - Chapters # 1 through 2 on Macromedia Flash MX 2004 And Topics Covered In Lecture

WEEK 5: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Computers For Interactive Multimedia Applications, Basic Terms, Hardware Components, Memory And Storage Capacity, Software Components, System Software, Application Software

Modifying and Aligning Objects

Using advanced selection tools, aligning and positing objects, transforming objects, using the free transform tool, grouping objects, erasing sections of an object, using the info panel, using the history panel.

WEEK 6: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Computers For Interactive Multimedia Applications, Basic Terms, Hardware Components, Memory And Storage Capacity, Software Components, System Software, Application Software (continued)

Modifying and Aligning Objects

Checking concepts and terms, skill drill assignments, challenge assignments and portfolio builder.

WEEK 7: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

DHTML, SGL, XML, CGI Scripts, Java and Java Script, Understanding TCP/IP, PPP, HTTP, FTP, POP, SMTP, etc. Differences And Similarities Of Netscape And Internet Explorer Web Browsers

Working with Layers in Flash MX 2004

Layer properties, naming, hiding and viewing, locking outlines, layer folders, using masks, adding a mask, animating makes, working with guide layers and motion guides.

WEEK 8: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Review Of Course Material To This Point

Working with Layers in Flash MX 2004

Checking concepts and terms, skill drill assignments, challenge assignments and portfolio builder.

Exam #2 - Chapters # 3 through 4 on Macromedia Flash MX 2004 And Topics Covered In Lecture

WEEK 9: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Graphics for the Web: A More In Depth Look, JPEG, GIF, PNG, Indexed Color Palettes, Designing Graphics for Interactive Multimedia

Working with Symbols

Images vs. Symbols, vector graphics vs. bitmap, file formats, copy and past vs. Importing graphics, importing SWF files, understanding Raster file formats, breaking apart and tracing bitmaps, using the loadMovie Action.

WEEK 10: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Graphics for the Web: A More In Depth Look, JPEG, GIF, PNG, Indexed Color Palettes, Designing Graphics for Interactive Multimedia (continued)

Sound Basics, Understanding Sound Applications In Interactive Multimedia, Applying Sound To Web Pages - <Embed> And <Bgsound>, Understanding Aiff, Wav, Mid, Au, Ra, La File Formats, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (Midi) - How It Works, QuickTime For Midi

Working with Symbols

Checking concepts and terms, skill drill assignments, challenge assignments and portfolio builder.

WEEK 11: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Video, How To Capture Video, Understanding Codecs, Optimizing Digital Video, Applying Video To Web Pages, A Look At Avid Video Workshop & Strata Video, Understanding Mov, AVI, RA File Formats, QuickTime For Video, Streaming Video and Audio

Introduction to ActionScript

Understanding actions, event handlers and triggers, commenting, planning your script, understanding script structure, coding and symbol properties, navigation scripts, sounds in Flash.

WEEK 12: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Review Of Course Material To This Point

Introduction to ActionScript

Checking concepts and terms, skill drill assignments, challenge assignments and portfolio builder.

Exam #3 - Chapters # 5 through 6 on Macromedia Flash MX And Topics Covered In Lecture

WEEK 13: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Animation Basics, Understanding Animation Applications In Interactive Multimedia, Applying Animation To Web Pages GIF89 and GIF89A

Animation

Animation planning and pre-production, the controller, animated buttons, frame-by-frame animation, motion tweening, easing, scaling, rotating, and applying color, shape tweening, editing the timeline, reversing frames.

Begin to work on Final Project

WEEK 14: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Examine BIAS PEAK and DECK Sound editing Software, MIDI software with Metro SE and creating music with GarageBand 2.

Animation

Checking concepts and terms, skill drill assignments, challenge assignments and portfolio builder.

Continue work on Final Project

WEEK 15: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Examine QuickTime Pro for digital video editing, iMovie HD, iPhoto and iDVD for digital distribution of multimedia titles

Final Project to be completed and published

WEEK 16: TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN LECTURE AND LAB

Review Of Course Material To This Point

Wrap-Up of Other Features in Flash

Exam #4/Final - Chapters # 1 through 7 on Macromedia Flash MX 2004 And Topics Covered In Lecture

Projects to be completed: Deadline for all projects must be completed to count toward final grade.

212: Interactive Multimedia

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