University of Wisconsin Whitewater Spring Semester, 2010
Class meets: Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-10:45 am McGraw 127 -- MAGD Lab )
Office Hours: Wed 7:30-10:30 am, 1:15-2:15, Thursday 8-9 am and 1-2pm and by appointment, McGraw 104

clown Course Description
Multimedia Production I is a practical introductory course to the world of interactive digital media design. The focus is on creating interactive experiences that are both functional and engaging. This task is approached from various points-of-view: design, usability, technique, and entertainment. We will discuss not only the specifics on how to make something work, but strategies concerning how to make it work well, while making it easy to understand and fun for the audience. This is a class for beginners and assumes no previous experience or expertise. It does, however move quickly. It is absolutely essential that you keep up with the class--procrastination is a strategy for failure. You must attend class and work hard if you hope to succeed in this course. If you feel overwhelmed or do not understand the material, come and see me so that I can help you.

Course Objectives
  • Introduce students to concepts of communication through digital multimedia: communication theories, definition of message, storyboarding, implementation of interface, coding.
  • Introduce students to the basics of HTML, XHTML, Cascading Style Sheets, and JavaScript using W3 compliant code.
  • Learn the basics of designing effective interactive communication.
  • Analyze the usability of digital media.
  • Provide a forum for discussion where students can learn from each other through the process of critiques and reviews.
  • Give students the opportunity to acquire the skills that make them competent, productive and sought after members of the workforce. Email me if you would like me to add you to the interactive media and games jobs/announcements listserv.

Due Dates
NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED in this class. Students who have medical or family emergencies may be granted extensions if they provide paper documentation from a parent or doctor within 2 days of the due date.

Attendance
You are fully grown. If you choose to throw away your tuition money by not attending class, that is your choice. Be advised that you cannot succeed in this class if you don't attend regularly. Do not send me email requesting that I summarize the class you missed.

Code editing software
Currently, there are several software packages available that will write your code for you. You should not use these programs for the work that you turn in in this class. You should assemble your own code and be able to explain every line of it. It is very easy for me to determine if a student is using software to generate class work. For the purposes of this class, such use will be considered cheating. If you are unable to explain the code used in your assignment, or I can demonstrate that you did not write the code yourself, you will fail the assignment and potentially the class.

Student Integrity
You are expected to conduct yourself with decorum in this class. Professionalism and integrity are essential to success in any field. If you haven't started yet, now is a great time to develop these fundamental attitudes and behaviors. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Both are grounds for an Academic Misconduct report and a failing grade.

The production and discussion of creative work is a large part of this class. Any work or criticism that is offensive or that constitutes harassment of a racial, sexual, ethnic, or religious nature will result in a failing grade.

Mobile phones and pagers must be turned off before entering the classroom.

UWW Statement
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment.  It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Academic Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events (for details please refer to the Schedule of Classes; the 'Rights and Responsibilities' section of the Undergraduate Catalog; the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Catalog; and the 'Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures (UWS Chapter 14); and the 'Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" (UWS Chapter 17)

Last changed, 2010 ©2000-10 Elena Bertozzi