Class Assignments:  Web Page Assignment  PowerPoint Assignment  HyperStudio Assignment  Article Review and PP Demonstration  Final Project  Index of Student Pages

What is Multimedia?

Multimedia is "the seamless digital integration of text, graphics, animation, audio, still images, and motion video in a way that provides individual users with high levels of control and interaction" (Dyrli and Kinnaman, 1995). D'Ignazio (1992) describes multimedia authoring programs as "software tools that enable users to 'branch' or link text with video, audio, graphics, animations, or other digital data to create multimedia presentations or products... But multimedia authoring tools also facilitate important educational and cognitive processes, including: cooperative learning, group problem solving, critical thinking, reflection, analysis, inquiry, process writing, and public speaking. Multimedia authoring tools are inherently metacognitive: they help students think about thinking."

 Interactive Multimedia

 Interactivity is amount of control the user has over the presentation of information. "Interactive multimedia" refers to multimedia that allows for user control.

 The three most common classifications of interactive are:

(http://cee.indiana.edu/workshops/multipres/MM.html#what)

• A linear presentation is one in which the author decides the sequence and manner in which information is presented. The user controls only the pace.

• A programmed branching program is one in which the user has some control over the sequence of presentation by selecting from a group of choices such as from a main menu. The author still maintains the control of deciding what to include in the choices available at any point in the program.

• Hypermedia can be thought of as a web of interrelated information in which the user is in almost complete control of the pace, sequence and content of the presentation. Links provide for random access of information.

Multimedia authoring and digital technologies are exciting tools that can be used to illustrate historical content. This course explores the fundamentals for how to apply these tools to your own specific content area. As such, this course will provide an introduction to the development and adaptation of historical content for electronic media, as well as an introduction to the computer software necessary to accomplish this task. Among the topics to be considered are: when to use digital history, the advantages and problems involved in digital history, and the design of multimedia history. Specifically, students will learn how to design and implement a multimedia lecture, an interactive lesson plan, and web page. The course will cover electronic publishing, electronic imaging, digital music, hardware and software considerations, and interface design. This class will be held in the new Humanities Center Multimedia Lab. There is no prerequisite computer knowledge required for this course. This course is designed for both the novice and advanced computer user.

Project Based Learning:

In traditional classrooms, learning means reading textbooks, listening to lectures, taking tests, and completing homework assignments using paper and pencil. I believe that the best way for you to learn something new is to actually do it. This is why your participation here will be heavily focused on your very own projects. This approach to education features educators and learners who participate in collaborative, constructive, and authentic activities.

Course Format:

Each course day of the semester will consist of a 3 hour long session followed by an optional afternoon open lab session supervised by the instructor. Students should bring raw materials, such as photographs, slides, text, drawings, or other content to be used in their projects. Each student will work on completing several interactive projects and through this effort learn and apply interactive concepts, design and software techniques. The instructor will guide and analyze each participant's efforts as well as provide lectures and demonstrations in appropriate areas. The course will also include group critique sessions and demonstrations of all projects. Remember – you are the content expert and I am here to help you!

Multimedia Lab:

The Humanities Electronic Media Lab, where course sessions will be held, has 3 Pentium computers with 17" monitors (or greater), gigabyte or larger drives, each with a minimum of 64MB of RAM. One of the machines is capable of digitizing video. Other peripherals include a Polariod SprintScan for scanning slides, a Umax flat bed scanner for photographs, digital camera, and a color printer. Each computer has direct access to the Internet. Priority software for the workshop will be Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Netscape Communicator, Macromedia Director, and Macromedia Authorware. Other software, like Gif Construction Set and Adobe Premiere may be introduced.

Daily Routine:

Each session will consist of a discussion period, where readings from the textbook are discussed, as well as a minimum of two hours of hands-on work time. You will be responsible for leading the class discussion once during the semester. You will provide a 10-15 minute synopsis of the readings and frame several questions for discussion. Breaks may be taken during the session as necessary. The lab is available afternoon and evening for independent work time. During most afternoon hours (Thursday – 2:00 to 4:00), the instructor will be present in the lab to help each student as necessary - this is an optional work time and is not meant to take the place of the actual class session.

What You Need:

Textbook:

At least 3 high density diskettes

 Email:

CGU email account – Web Enabled (Apply through Academic Computing)

 Attendance:

This is a project-oriented class. Attendance is required! You are permitted one, pre-scheduled absence. However, even with this pre-scheduled absence, you are required to learn on-your-own what was covered during that session.
 

Schedule:

 

Week:	Book Reading/ Discussion Topic:	Hands-On Activities:
1 September 4	Operating Systems: Windows 95	Getting familiar with Windows 95
2 September 11	How the Internet Works, pg. 470-489	Exploring the World Wide Web
3 September 18	Designing for the World Wide Web, pg. 528-552	Building your own Web page
4 September 26	Presentation Tools, pg. 132-142	Creating a presentation with Microsoft PowerPoint
5 October 2	Presentation Tools, cont.	Advanced PowerPoint
6 October 9	HyperMedia, pg. 221-231	Creating a multimedia presentation with HyperStudio
7 October 16	The Power of Sound, pg. 234-270	Creating sound files
8 October 23	The Power of Images, pg. 274-305	Creating image files
9 October 30	The Power of Video, pg. 324-351	Creating video files
10 November 6	Time-based Authoring Tools, pg. 167-170	The basics of Macromedia Director
11 November 13	Icon-Based Authoring Tools, pg. 162-164	The basics of Macromedia Authorware
12 November 20	Multimedia Planning, pg. 357-371	Planning your final project
13 December 4	Creating your own multimedia elements & Final Project	Free Time
14 December 11	Show & Tell

 

 
Projects:

 

Type:	Due:	Format:
Web Page	Week 5	Diskette
PowerPoint Presentation	Week 7	Diskette
HyperStudio Stack	Week 9	Diskette
Final Project:   Director or Authorware	Week 15	Show & Tell
Topic Presentation	Once during the semester	Printed Slides
Email Responses	Three during the semester	Email Response

 

 
Project Grading:

 

Type:	Points:
Web Page	15
PowerPoint Presentation	15
HyperStudio Stack	15
Final Project: Director or Authorware	25
Topic Presentation	10
Email Responses	5 each or 15 total
Attendance	5
Total:	100 points

 
 

Final Letter Grades:

 

Total Points:	Grade:
93-100	A
90-92.99	A-
86-89.99	B+
83-85.99	B
80-82.99	B-
75-79.99	C
66-74.99	D
Below 66%	F