CM716 - Computers in Communication

Computers in Communication

CM510-A1Spring 2008

Rob Schadt, Ed.D

Course Description

This course introduces the personal computer as a tool for human communication. The focus of the course is two fold. First, it is top promote an understanding of the media production process including clarifying communication objective and audience, strategic analysis of how to use the appropriate media to achieve these communication goals and how to organize and maximize accessibility of client information to provide a quality interactive experience for the user while meeting the client’s business objectives.

Equally important is to understand how each media format works and to learn to use computer hardware and software to effectively design, produce, and deliver communication in publishing, advertising, entertainment, and education.

The media production environment is simulated by each student choosing a client and producing a proposal to produce communications for that client. A series of assignments in the form of client-based communications is completed to demonstrate facility with the software and understanding of design concepts from readings. The course culminates with each student producing a website to demonstrate the ability to synthesize text, numbers, images, sound, and video to support the delivery of information. Each class includes some lecture and demonstration, but will primarily consist of hands-on practical experiences with multimedia computers and multimedia production software. A more detailed description of the topics of the course is included below.

Computers in Communication is a hands-on course of study. Class meetings include assigned work with a computer. All of the weekly course assignments require further hands-on work, which may be completed in the computer lab. Note: This class is designed for the Microsoft Windows platform. Projects produced on a Macintosh may not meet course requirements. Also note that whilethere may be several suitable programs to produce communications in a given media format, students will be evaluated on their use of the software applications taught in the course.

ObjectivesFor successful completion of this course, each student will demonstrate:

an understanding of the principles of effective design in computer-mediated and paper based communication

a working ability to articulate an intended design of a multimedia presentation

a working knowledge of multimedia hardware and software through successful completion of weekly assignments

the ability to (verbal and written) critically evaluate multimedia presentations

Course web site

The site will contain the syllabus as well as additional handouts and reference materials. To access it the username is the first part of your email address and the password is your Kerberos password. This is also a convenient way to send e-mail to the instructor or others in the class as well as to check grades.

RequirementsAttendance: There is a heavy workload; full attendance is recommended. Assignments submitted late will receive lower scores. (See comments under Grading)

Assignments: There are six assignments (including the proposal) to be completed and turned in for evaluation according to the schedule. These include a comprehensive proposal to design communications for a client, flowchart-storyboards, an interactive slide show, anaudio spot, a video spot,and a web-based animation. The course culminates with a final project, a web site for that client. Grading is based on adherence to course schedule and assignment objectives. Additionally each student will present a brief website analysis of a commercial web site produced for the same industry as the student’s client. These presentations will take place at the beginning of 6 different class sessions to be selected during the term. There will be an online sign-up process on the course web site. These will be graded using a .5, 1 and 1.5 grading system with these points added to the final grade.

Mid term Exam

The midterm exam is in 3 parts. Part 1 is take home and will be distributed on February 12th. It will be due on February 26th. On February 26th,Parts 2 and 3 of the exam will be taken in class. These will include be a task using PhotoShop and a short answer quiz.

Final project design and presentation
The final project will be a web site. Each student will present his/her completed web site on the last class, April 29th. The final presentation will be evaluated by how closely the presentation matches the goals of the presentation proposal and the objectives of the course. Student presentations are a required component of the final project. Students who do not present their projects will receive lower scores according to the discretion of the instructor. There is no final examination.

Multimedia evaluations
Each student will submit via e-mail a written peer evaluation of three multimedia presentations presented on the last scheduled class date. A review for each project should consist of one-page including; a concise evaluation of context, design, and use of media. Reviews are due on May 6th.

GradingGrades reflect completion of all assignments, and effective demonstration of achievement matched to course and assignment objectives. Assignments are graded based on a scoring rubric. These rubrics are available on the course web site under “Assignments”. Assignments that are submitted late will be graded as follows: 1 day – 1 week late – deduct 1 point; 8 days - 2 weeks late – deduct 2 points; After 2 weeks there is no credit for the assignment.

Project grades will be Final grades will be
awarded as follows:awarded as follows:

Client proposal 10%A = 93 or above
Flowchart/Storyboard 5%A- = 90-92

Slide Show10%B+ = 87-89

Radio Spot 5%B = 83-86

Video Spot10%B- = 80-82

Midterm Examination20%C+ = 77-79
Flash Animation 5%C = 73-76
Final Project20%C- = 70-72

Peer Evaluations15%D = less than 70

PlagiarismThe College of Communication policy on plagiarism:

"Plagiarism is the act of representing someone else's creative and/or academic work as your own, in full or in part. It can be an act of commission, in which one intentionally appropriates the words, pictures or ideas of another, or it can be an act of omission, in which one fails to acknowledge/document/give credit to the source, creator and/or the copyright owner of those works, pictures or ideas. Any fabrication of materials, quotes or sources, other than that created in a work of fiction, is also plagiarism. Plagiarism is the most serious academic offense that you can commit and can result in probation, suspension or expulsion."

AudiotapingPlease note that classroom proceedings for this course might be recorded for purposes including, but not limited to, student illness, religious holidays, disability accommodations, or student course review.Note also that recording devices are prohibited in the classroom except with the instructor's permission.

Office HoursAlthough I do not have office hours on the Charles River Campus, I am available by e-mail (), telephone (work: 638-5039 or home: 508-881-6922) or on the Boston University Medical Campus, Talbot 512E by appointment.

Teaching AssistantOur teaching assistant this term isLynn Chung ()

MaterialsRequired Readings

Lengel, James, (2000) Web Wizard's Guide to Web Design, Addison Wesley, ISBN 0201745615

CoursePack ID:276619 available atBarnes & Noble University Bookstore Mall

Reference Readings There are hundreds of good books and websites that deal with web-based and digital media production and software that we use. If you like to learn this way, browse a bookstore for books you find easy to read or go online to get more or advanced information about the software we use in class.

One good book is Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 Revealed by S. Bishop (Thomson)

Additional MaterialsWeekly projects require students to store and submit their work electronically or on paper depending on the assignment. Projects are to be submitted via your personal folder on the server. In addition you should have a USB (flash drive)with sufficient portable memory (512MB minimum) to remove work from the laband retain back-up copies of files. Students must submit his/her original assignments and keep backup copies of all his/her work. For the video project students should purchase a Mini DV videotape, (available at CVS).

Working with/copying filesWhenever you work in the lab the files should be created and saved on the desktop of your computer. When you are ready to leave the lab, close the application and then copy files to a USB key or CD for storage. Some advice on copying files: The surest way to copy a file is to right click on the icon, choose Copy, than right click on the folder or drive that you want to copy to and choose Paste. Do NOT rely on the hard disks in the lab computers as a safe storage medium.

File Storage/Server Access Students login to the computers using their BU username and Kerberos password. There is a class server that students will need to access frequently during the semester. To access this server students should open My Computer and under Network Drives look for Classes, then CM510, then rschadt/ In that folder there is a folder containing personal folders for each student to store files and submit finished assignments and a folder called common. Students will find media elements to use in class assignments in this common folder.

High-tech EtiquetteDuring class please refrain from using cell-phones, or sending e-mail or instant messages.These distractions can lead to your missing important information.

Working in the Multimedia Lab This facility is designed to help students learn to create multimedia. Students who take classes in this lab are welcome to use it whenever it’s open and a seat is free. Other COM students may use this lab when seats are available.

A Multimedia Teaching Assistant is usually in the lab during its open hours. They are there to assist students and help students complete assignments.

Students should find the software and hardware needed to complete assignments/create projects. If a student finds any software missing, or any hardware not working right, please tell the instructor or the Teaching Assistant. Please don’t add any new software to the computers, or remove any files from the hard disk. Don’t reorganize the files or folders on the hard disk. Leave the Control Panels, memory settings, and fonts alone. We need to maintain an identical complement of software on each computer in this lab, so that students/faculty will find a consistent set of tools no matter where they work.

In this class we are working with relatively large files. Each station is equipped with a USB drive and a CD burner. Students should save all of his/her work onto his/her own CD or USB key or their folder on the server, and make sure it’s actually on the disk or on the server when leaving the lab. Any student files left on the hard drive will be erased at the end of each lab period. Each student should find a clean computer, keyboard, mouse and mouse pad at each station. If any of these are dirty or worn, please tell the Multimedia Teaching Assistant. To keep them clean and operable, please don’t bring any food or drink into the lab.

Lab schedulesLab schedules are posted on the Internet at

Computers in Communication

CM510-A1 - Tuesday, 6:00 – 9:00 PM - Room 208 – Spring 2008

Instructor: Rob Schadt, Ed.D. – - 617-638-5039

Weekly Schedule

Course Topics
We tackle a new topic almost every week. The first part of the each class meeting usually includes a talk and demonstration on the topic, followed by discussion and hands-on tutorials. Techniques, tricks, shortcuts and design issues needed to successfully complete weekly assignments are the focus of these lecture-demonstrations. Some additional photocopied readings will be distributed to supplement textbook readings. The second half of the class is reserved for a hands-on assignment or production of your final presentation with coaching from your instructor.

January 22

1. Introduction to the Course

Building a community - student introductions

The expectations - Purpose, topics and requirements.

The Idea

Designing a project - Choosing a theme from your studies.

Clarifying audience and objective

Developing assignments for your client using specific media formats

Print communication - Composing an effective client proposal

Readings for this week:

The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design; Chapter 1; Interactivity by Design (Handout); Reader, pp 1-30.

Assignment 1: Compose, edit, and publish a comprehensive proposal to design communications for your client (due January 29).

January 29

2. Interactivity

Organizing the "web" of information.

User Control

Navigation tools to navigate through information.

PowerPoint basics

Using PowerPoint tools for user interaction.

Designing effective layouts

Readings for this week:

The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, Chapters 2 and 3, and pages 81-91. Reader, pp 31-64.

Assignment 2: Design flow chart and 3- 5 storyboards for your final project. Prepare revised audience and communication objectives for final project as necessary. (due February 5)

February 5th

3. The Image

Acquiring digital images

Drawing, scanning, and digital photography.

Editing digital images using PhotoShop techniques

3A. Incorporating principles of design

Grouping information into logical groups with an eye to proximity (or lack thereof)

Creating and maintaining strong alignments

Creating a repetition

Making sure that you have strong contrasts that will attract the viewer’s attention

Readings for this week:

The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, Pp. 91-101

Reader, pp 65-85.

To do: prepare a collection of at least ten images from several different sources, which help communicate your client's ideas, edited in PhotoShop. Digital still and movie cameras are available from Computer Support Services, Room 203. Consider taking out a movie camera and capture some footage to use for your client’s video spot. Footage due on later on, but cameras become scarce as the month progresses!

February 12

4. The Image (continued)

More manipulating images

Presenting images

Developing a slide show with PowerPoint.

Assignment 3: Create a slide show of images relevant to the communication needs of your client (Due on February 26). Also acquire music CD's for February 14th class.

Part 1 (Take home) of Midterm Exam handed out. Due on February 26th

February 19 – (No class – Substitute Monday class)

February 26

5. Mid-term Exam (Part 2 – PhotoShop) – in class (1 hr.)

Second half of class:

The Sound

Acquiring voice, music, sound

Recording, copying, saving, and formatting.

Editing sound files using Audacity tools

Exporting sounds for use in other programs.

Readings for this week:

From Idea to Script found in the Reader, pp. 87-104

Assignment 4: Create a 30-second audio spot relevant to the needs of your client. (Due March 18)

To do: Capture several digital video clips relevant to your client’s ideas, from live or taped sources and bring these to class next week. Mini DV tape is recommended, but other format may be used.

March 4

6. The Video

Introduction to video recording

Digitizing video material

Editing, assembling video and transitions

Readings for this week:

Making Edit Decisions found in the Reader, pp. 107-131

March 11 (No class – Spring Break)

March 18

7. The Video (part 2)

Review of video capture – bring in your video footage for capture

Creating titles

Adding still images

Assignment 5: Create a 10 -30 second video spot for your client (due on March 25).

March 25

8. Internet Publishing
Introduction to Dreamweaver

Site design

File organization

Hypertext

Build your site with Dreamweaver.

Readings for this week:

Reader, pp. 134-145

April 1

9. Internet Publishing (Part 2)

Using PhotoShop for the web

Using sound and video - Premier revisited

Building navigation bars

Using swap image behaviors

Readings for this week:

Reader, pp. 147-158, 165-168

April 8

10. Internet Publishing (Part 3)

Using animation – Introduction to Flash

Assignment 6: Publish a Flash movie to be included in the final project (due April 25th).

Readings for this week:

Reader, pp. 169-176 (NOTE: Please ignore pp. 159-163)

April 15

11. Project Production

Work on final version of your project.

April 22

12. Project Production

Work on final version of your project.

April 29

13. Final Project Presentations

Present your interactive project for review and critique.

Multimedia Peer Evaluations due by e-mail on May 6