The Catholic University of America
School of Library and Information Science
LSC 752 – Design and Production of Multimedia
Spring 2010

January 2, 2010


Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: LSC 772 

Meetings

This is class will be a blend of face-to-face (f2f) and online class meetings. There are 8 face-to-face (required) meetings, Thursdays 5:10 PM - 7:40 pm on 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/25, 3/18, 4/8, 4/22, and 4/29. The class meets in 131 Marist Hall.

Regular online participation is expected. We will use an online class web site extensively for announcements, discussion, assignments, etc. We will also use the LiveText system for assignment submission. Students are expected to monitor the class web site frequently, because updates, administrative information and reminders are posted there.

Instructor Contact Information
Bill Kules, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
248 Marist Hall
(301) 755-7982
kules@cua.edu
http://faculty.cua.edu/kules/
Office hours are posted on my web page.

Description
Theory and practice in the planning and production of multimedia. Hands-on experience in use of equipment and the design and preparation of multimedia..

Course Goals
This course is designed to:

Goals for Student Learning
At the end of the course students should be able to evaluate and apply understanding of:

  1. Basic principles of instructional design in planning, developing and producing multimedia computer-based instruction.
  2. Basic principles of instructional design in developing Web-based instruction.
  3. Software to produce multimedia presentations and computer-based instruction.
  4. Software to produce computer-based managed presentations.
  5. Legal, technical and management issues for Web-based instruction.
  6. Choosing the most appropriate media for different types of instructional goals.
  7. Evaluation multimedia, computer, and Web-based instruction for usability and instructional value.
Instructional Methods
This course uses a variety of instructional methods and activities: These course activities will be conducted both face-to-face (in-class) and online (using the class web site and other tools). Students are expected to be online frequently. If you do not have daily  access to the Internet, please contact the instructor before the first class meeting.

Professional Standards Addressed
American Library Association
American Library Association/American Association of School Librarians Course Structure
This course is broadly structured as two parallel threads: Theory and practical skills. In general, each week we will cover elements of each. As we move into the final project, you will be integrating these elements in your work.

Course Schedule


Week
Dates
Topics
Major Assignments
(approximate due dates)
1 Jan 11-17
Introductions and course overview. Defining multimedia and instructional design. Review HTML.
2 Jan 18-24
(f2f meeting  Jan 1/21)
Instructional design. Design process.
HTML & CSS. Web editors.
 
3 Jan 25-31
(f2f 1/28)
Task analysis. Educational objectives.
HTML & CSS. Web editors
 
4 Feb 1-7
(f2f 2/4)
Design principles.
Slide-based presentations
HW 1: Instructional design, task analysis, web page
5 Feb 8-14 Principles of web site navigation. Design techniques: Site maps, storyboards, flowcharts.
Digital images and photo editors.
Project proposal
6 Feb 15-21 Evaluating online environments.
Audio formats and editing.

HW2: Slide-based presentation


7 Feb 22-28
(f2f 2/25)
Writing for the Web.
Audio formats and editing.

Project plan due

8 Mar 1-7 Accessibility and universal design.
Video formats and editing.
HW 3: TBD
Mar 8-14 Spring recess  
9 Mar 15-21
(f2f 3/18)
Web-based tutorials.
Video formats and editing.
Project update 1
10 Mar 22-28 Animations.  
11 Mar 29-31 Project topics.
(Short week)
Project update 2
Apr 1-5Easter Break
12 Apr 6-11
(f2f 4/8)

Project topics.

(Short week)

Project update 3
13 Apr 12-18 Project topics.
14Apr 19-25
(f2f 4/22)
Project topics.Draft project &oral presentations
15Apr 26-May 2
(f2f 4/29)
Project presentations. Course evaluations.Final projects and presentations

Note: This schedule provides an overview of topics and major assignments. Detailed information, including weekly activities, exercises, and specific due dates, will be posted to to the class web site. This schedule and syllabus is subject to change as needed.

Required Course Text

Web Style Guide, 3rd ed. by Patrick Lynch and and Sarah Horton.
http://www.webstyleguide.com

This online text is also available in print format (the online version is free). However, both the
web-based and print format versions are identical. The class materials will reference the web-based
version.

Optional Course Texts
Castro, E. (2007) HTML, XHTML & CSS. 6th Ed. Berkeley, CA: Peach Pitt Press.

Several students have highly recommended this book. A straightforward, building block (the author's words) approach to HTML. Very visual. This text is also used for LSC610.

Required Technologies

You must have a LiveText Account: http://www.livetext.com.

The following technologies are taught as an essential part of this course or required for course delivery:

Readings

TBD

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT



Grading

Grades for this course will be based upon the following elements:

Component Percent
Class Participation 15%
HW1 15
HW2 15
HW3 15
Term Project 40
TOTAL 100

Final grades will be assigned as follows:

Letter Numeric range
A 94-100
A- 90-93
B+ 86-89
B 82-85
B- 78-81
C 70-77
F Below 70

University grades: The University grading system is available at http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/gradesfull.cfm#II for undergraduates and http://policies.cua.edu/academicgrad//gradesfull.cfm#iii for graduate students. Reports of grades in courses are available at the end of each term on http://cardinalstation.cua.edu.


Class Participation - In class and online

Each class is critical to your learning experience. Your energy in contributing to class discussions, small-group exercises, and online activities and discussions will be important. Therefore, coming to class prepared (e.g., reading all course readings before class, working on project research, etc.) and actively participating will be necessary to receiving full credit for class participation. The readings are intended to stimulate questions in addition to providing information. It is a good strategy to make notes of questions and comments as you read - these can be useful contributions to the discussion.


Exercises and Other Activities

Exercises and other activities are provided to help you learn and practice course material, especially specific techniques or tools. We will often start an exercise in class and have you finish afterwards. Although they are not formally graded, they contribute to your class participation grade - you are expected to complete them and post your results, comments, etc. as instructed.

Homework

Each homework assignment will incorporate the topics being covered and selected technology skills. Assignments span multiple weeks. I will often direct you to post drafts of your work so that we can review them. Drafts are not graded but posting them is considered part of your class participation. In class, you will often work in small groups to discuss the assignment and critique each other's drafts. In general, I encourage you to ask questions of each other and of me, and to help each other out. Your submitted assignment must be your own work, but it is often helpful to work together as you learn the material. To avoid plagarism and academic integrity issues, you must do two things: First, always cite your sources. Second, if you use material from someone else, be sure that you are adding intellectual value, not just copying the work. (A possible exception to this is when you are cutting-and-pasting HTML -- but even there you should be adding your own content.) If you have questions about this, please ask me.

Before posting or submitting your work, you must test it using a PC and Internet Explorer 7. If you do not have access to a PC, you can use one in the lab. All assignments must be posted or submitted by 11:59 pm on the day they are due, unless otherwise noted. If the assignment is submitted late, your grade will be reduced by 10%. Each day it is late thereafter you will lose an additional 5% point (e.g., submitting one day late would reduce your grade by 15%).

Term Project & Presentation

The project may be done in groups of 2-3, or individually in keeping with the reality that some librarians work in environments in which they are working daily in a group with other librarians or work in a library in which they are the sole librarian. Students are encouraged to select project that will be used in the “real world.” Projects can be on any appropriate topic, but one that leads itself to an instructional focus. This does not mean the project topic has to be on a strictly academic topic. Students are encouraged to use the assignments given during the semester to explore, design and implement pieces of their final project.

In designing and creating their project, students should assume that an intermediary is not available and that the piece should be an animation or video. The project should be based on a library, museum, interpretive or other educational setting. For example, you could create a video for library patrons to highlight a library activity, a training or skill-oriented tutorial, or an interpretive piece appropriate to your information setting. The final project will be submitted with answers to the following questions:

1. The planning and design process.
2. Why a multimedia approach is important for this project.
3. A description of the learners who will use the project including the characteristics of learners who are most likely to benefit from this method of instruction.
4. The learning objectives and outcomes of the project.
5. How this project as planned accomplishes these objectives.
6. How these outcomes will be evaluated.
7. Situations where additional instruction may be necessary to accomplish the learning objectives and the format of that instruction (lectures, hands-on experience, etc).

You will conclude your project with an in-class oral presentation about your project.



Submitting Assignments

All assignments are to be submitted electronically through the designated site or posted online as instructed.

Late work. The instructor will not accept late work except by prior arrangement. If accepted, it may not be graded until the end of the term.

Makeup work. If a student has a legitimate reason, such as a medical or family emergency, the instructor may allow a student to do makeup work. The amount and nature of the work is up to the instructor's discretion. It will be graded at term's end. Documentation of the emergency (e.g. a doctor's letter) may be required.

Place your name and email address at the top of all pages. Any work submitted with numerous grammar, spelling or format problems will be penalized.

Accommodations for students with disabilities: Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact Disability Support Services (at 202 319-5211, room 207 Pryzbyla Center) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. To read about the services and policies, please visit the website: http://disabilitysupport.cua.edu. The CUA guide for services and accommodations for students with disabilities can be found at http://counsel.cua.edu/ADA/publications/disbro/contents.cfm. Some basic guidelines and links to other information may be found at: http://counsel.cua.edu/ADA/clicks/.


University Grades

The University grading system is available at http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/gradesfull.cfm#II for undergraduates and http://policies.cua.edu/academicgrad//gradesfull.cfm#iii for graduate students. Reports of grades in courses are available at the end of each term on http://cardinalstation.cua.edu .


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COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS


Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is expected of all CUA students. Faculty are required to initiate the imposition of sanctions when they find violations of academic honesty, such as plagiarism, improper use of a student's own work, cheating, and fabrication. The following sanctions are presented in the University procedures related to Student Academic Dishonesty (from http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/integrityprocedures.cfm): "The presumed sanction for undergraduate students for academic dishonesty will be failure for the course. There may be circumstances, however, where, perhaps because of an undergraduate student's past record, a more serious sanction, such as suspension or expulsion, would be appropriate. In the context of graduate studies, the expectations for academic honesty are greater, and therefore the presumed sanction for dishonesty is likely to be more severe, e.g., expulsion. ...In the more unusual case, mitigating circumstances may exist that would warrant a lesser sanction than the presumed sanction." Please review the complete texts of the University policy and procedures regarding Student Academic Dishonesty, including requirements for appeals, at http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/integrity.cfm and http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/integrity.cfm.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Always cite your sources.


Participation and Conduct:

Attendance is required, in keeping with university policy. Any non-emergency absences must be approved by the instructor before the first class of the semester. Your class participation grade depends on being in class and actively participating in class and online. Arrive on time. Late arrival will affect your class participation grades.

If class is cancelled due to weather, illness or other emergency, check the online announcements the next day. We will generally hold class online when this happens.

Behave respectfully. Students are expected to behave respectfully at all times: while in class, in public discussion forums, and when using email. Participation grades will reflect a student’s maturity level and professionalism; cooperation and collaboration with the class; and whether the meaningfully contributes to course discussions.

No phone calls during class. Turn off or silence cell phones and pagers. Students leaving the room for calls may not be allowed to return to that class session.

No grade discussions in class. Instructor will not discuss grades in class. First consider why the instructor deducted points. If you still disagree, explain your disagreement in an e-mail to the instructor.


Accommodations for students with disabilities

Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact Disability Support Services (at 202 319-5211, room 207 Pryzbyla Center) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. To read about the services and policies, please visit the website: http://disabilitysupport.cua.edu.

H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Plan

Students are encouraged to visit the University's H1N1 & Seasonal Flu Information web page (http://health.cua.edu/flu.cfm) for information on prevention and flu shots (all students are eligible and the University encourages everyone to get vaccinated). If you become sick, please complete the online reporting form at the Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Self-Reporting Center (https://secure.cua.edu/health/seasonal-flu.cfm). This initiates several campus supports, including notification of your instructors. Campus security (http://www.cua.edu/safety/) provides daily updates on the status of influenza on campus and the University response to the anticipated H1N1 outbreak.

If students have an excused absence due to illness, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Because much of the coursework is done online and asynchronously, any coursework that can be completed individually (i.e. non-group work) will have the deadline extended.

  2. If a student is unable to complete an online group activity on time, the activity will be revised to provide an appropriate individual activity, albeit without the group work aspect.

  3. If a student misses a face-to-face session, s/he will view the class slides, listen to the recorded audio, and respond to a set of written questions provided by the instructor.

  4. If a student misses a substantial part of the team project, they will be provided an alternative assignment for the portion(s) of the project missed. Their grade will be pro-rated based on the group work completed on the project and their individual work. 

If class is canceled due to illness (as well as weather or other emergency), students will be notified via the the class web site, with an announcement emailed to students' CardinalMail addresses. In this case, students should check the online announcements the next day. We will generally hold class online when this happens. Particular Activities that cannot be conducted online will be postponed.

If the instructor is unable to lead class for an extended period due to illness, an alternate instructor (TBD) has agreed to take over during the illness.

This course plan is consistent with the SLIS H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Plan, adopted September, 2009 and available at http://slis.cua.edu/forms/.


Syllabus changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as needed. Nothing in this syllabus may be construed as a contract. All changes will be provided to students via the class web site.


Acknowledgements

This syllabus and course material was originally adapted from material by Joe Provenzano and Tim Steelman.


Revision History