William M. Pegram
Home | Courses | Web Design | Office Software | Client-Side Scripting | Server-Side Scripting | About MeRevised: January 17, 2009
Northern Virginia Community College - Annandale Campus
ITE 170 - Multimedia Software, Spring 2009 (3 credits)
Sections: 003N: Mondays 4:30-7:20, 004N:Tuesdays 2-4:50, 006N:Thursdays 2-4:50PM, CT 230
Instructor: Dr. William M. Pegram, wpegram@nvcc.eduWeb Site for Class: www.billpegram.com
Prerequisite: ITE 115
Course Description:
The course will have several aspects:
- An introduction to XHTML and FTP, building on the XHTML/FTP knowledge now taught in ITE 115
- A hands-on introduction to multimedia software, in particular Dreamweaver CS3 (the leading web authoring/HTML editor), Flash CS3 (the leading web animation program), and Fireworks CS3 (computer graphics).
- Concepts relating to web design, web images, and web animation
Textbooks
The Non-Designer's Web Book, Third Edition by Robin Williams and John Tollett, Peachpit Press, 2006, ISBN 0-321-30337-7.
The Web Collection Revealed Standard Edition: Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, Flash CS3 and Fireworks CS3 by Sherry Bishop, Jim Shuman, and Barabara Waxer, Course Technology, 2008, ISBN (13 digits) 978-1-4283-1965-3 or ISBN (10 digits): 1-4283-1965-4. The ISBN in the NVCC Annandale bookstore is 9-978-1-4-35432819 (includes software trial version)
Mcuh less use will be made of the first book than the second.
Software:
You will need access to this software outside of the classroom. Here are some alternatives:
- Some of the computers in the open lab on the first floor of the CT building have the software.
- There are 30 day free downloads of Dreamweaver CS4, Flash CS4, and Fireworks CS4 at www.adobe.com. You may also purchase a DVD for $10.99 with the trial software.
- Purchase of software - Because you are students, you are eligible to purchase Adobe Creative Suite 4 Web Standard (contains Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, Contribute) at greatly reduced prices, e.g. for $200 from www.journeyed.com/go.asp?KEY=BN653 You will need to supply them with an academic ID.
Storage Media
Some of the newer computers on campus do not have a floppy drive, so you may find a thumb nail drive to be more convenient. Try to put your name on it in some fashion in case you lose it. If you forget to bring a storage device, you can save your work to the c drive and then send an email to yourself with the file as an attachment. . Nothing saved to the c:drive will be there after you logoff.
Homework
Late homework will be penalized.
Attendance:
If you miss class, please check the class website for any changes to the schedule, including new assignments. When class is cancelled due to inclement weather or instructor absence, assignments will normally be pushed back to the next class date but students should go to Blackboard or the class website for specific instructions. You are welcome to attend class in the other sections on an occasional basis, subject to capacity constraints. I will cover the same material in each of the three sections - after the first week, material will be presented first in the Thursday section and then repeated on Monday and Tuesday, until class cancellations alter this schedule.
Office Hour Schedule:
Before or after class - other times by arrangement.Communication with Instructor:
In addition to office hours, most class periods will have time for one-on-one questions with the instructor. Asking questions in this way is generally more efficient than email.
Required Email Address
I will email you at the email address on my class list which is your VCCS email address unless you specify a different address in Nova Connect. If you do not check this address frequently, I would recommend you set it up for automatic forwarding to an email address you do check more frequently. During the first class, I will show you how to specify a different address in Nova Connect and to specify a forwarding address. Please remember to include your name in all emails to me since I often can't tell who you are from your email address.
Grading Policy:
Your grade will be a function of 2 quizzes (30%), a final (25%.) and homework (45%). Although I normally offer students the ability to take makeup tests in the Testing Center, the software used in this class is not available there, and so please try to be present for all tests. If you must miss a quiz, I will try to make some opportunity available at the end of the semester for this purpose.
Academic Integrity
In general, students are expected to follow the Information Technology Student/Policy Ethics Agreement as posted in computer areas and academic integrity standards as set down in the Student Handbook. Let me provide more specific guidance however:
Students are encouraged to help each other out; it is a large class which limits my ability to help each student during the class period. However, on work that is graded, there are restrictions on helping other students: On homework assignments and projects, students may ask for and receive some assistance from others, unless otherwise directed by the instructor. Yet those helping a student should avoid "doing the work" for the student. No assistance is permitted on exams and quizzes.
Dropping and Withdrawal from the Class:
Wednesday, January 28 is the last day to drop the class and get a tuition refunds (use NovaConnect). Friday, March 27 is the last day to withdraw or to change to audit. The award of W after the last day to withdraw requires official documentation and the Dean's signature. Practically all of the people who get an F as a final grade from me are those that stopped coming to class and doing the work but didn't withdraw by this second deadline, even sometimes after email and telephone reminders.
Learning Environment
NVCC is a place for learning and growing. You should feel safe and comfortable anywhere on this campus. In order to meet this objective, you should: a) let your instructor, his/her supervisor, the Dean of Students or Provost know if any unsafe, unwelcome or uncomfortable situation arises that interferes with the learning process; (b) inform the instructor within the first two weeks of classes if you have special needs or a disability that may affect your performance in this course.
Fire/Emergency Evacuation Procedures
In case of emergency, please follow the emergency procedures as discussed on the first day of class and as posted in the classroom. Students should familiarize themselves with both the primary and secondary routes that are to be used, in case you need to evacuate the building, as well as other evacuation procedures to be followed.