Course Announcements and Email Archives
Read the Syllabus, Calendar and Requirements. The Course Guide will take you step-by-step through the course materials and assignments. As you move through this course, you'll work your way through the Course Resources shown in the navigation bar on the left side of the screen. If you think you may have missed class email communications, the email archives are located below.
Questions? Contact Larry Johnson.
 Email Archives
Class Update - May 16, 2008
Hello Everyone,
I hope that you have had a good week; most everyone seems to be on track. I will be finishing up scoring your Flashlight1 exercises in a few days, and will post those in the Oncourse gradebook.
Of the Flash1 work that I have looked at so far; I have been pleased with the work. You have explored and taken a critical look at several Flash products. There are literally hundreds of thousands of them out there, more being added all the time. The key is to look at the messages, identify their purposes, and gain lots of ideas about the variety and quality of Flashwork. Hopefully you will never look at Flash works in quite the same way . . .
Keep on track with the course calendar. Check to make sure that you are up-to-date on the reading assignments and moving forward with learning and applying Flash techniques in completing the exercises. Flashlight 2 - Animation is due next Wednesday, May 21st - - that's coming up fast.
For the record, your reply / responses are due one week after the original postings. Example, Flashlight1 exercises were due last Monday. Replies should all be posted on or before this next Monday. To gain the available point, a reply can (1) be a helpful response to someone's technical question or (2) add or extend new ideas, information, or examples directly related to a classmate's Flashlight posting. Posting of positive feedback is a good thing too but other content is needed for the score. You may post as many times as you want.
WEBBY AWARDS
Each year in May, awards for 'The Best of the Web', a.k.a. The Webby Awards are announced. You might find some of them of interest. Visit http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php
FLASH ANIMATION
Earlier this week, you were to read the Basics page http://eduscapes.com/flash/basics.htm and Chapter 2: The Basics http://eduscapes.com/flash/flash2.pdf
Also you should have taken a look at the Flash Quick-Start Workshop http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash0.pdf and the webpage http://eduscapes.com/flash/workshop.htm
The assignment for the next few days is to read the materials for Flash animation:
Animation http://eduscapes.com/flash/animation.htm
Chapter 3: Animation http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash3.pdf
You can encounter two common problems when doing Flash animations. First when doing either a shape or motion tween - if the software cannot understand your beginning and ending objects, you will end up with a dotted line rather than a solid line on the arrow in your timeline. Second issue is when using the motion guide, you need to be sure that your beginning and ending points for that motion guide line are in the exact middle of your objects. When you click on the object for beginning the animation sequence, you will see a small circle in its center. Be sure that you your guide line starts in that same, exact spot. Do the same for your end point and its object. Before you even do this, make sure that you have stored all your objects in the library. This is the MOST common problem you'll encounter when creating animations. Although sometimes you can fix the problem, it's usually faster to just get rid of the objects from the stage and drag them back on from your library following the instructions again until you get them right and it works. The software is unforgiving in this area.
Again, the Flashlight 2 activity (Animation) is due next Wednesday, May 21st - http://eduscapes.com/flash/guide.htm#f2
IMAGE MANIPULATION / EDITING
Some of you may have access to Photoshop; however if you do not, there are affordable alternatives. How about free, open source software? For those who need an Image manipulation program for retouching, image composition and image authoring - - the most popular open source program is Gimp http://www.gimp.org/. Anotther free open source graphics program is ImageMagick http://www.imagemagick.org/script/index.php used to create images from scratch, change colors, stretch, rotate, and overlaying images and overlay text on images - - supports over 90 image formats.
I'll come back with other open source software useful for multimedia components later in the course.
ATTACH THE FLA
If you encounter a problem and need some assistance, You can post about the problems to the class at the 'General Discussion and Technical Support' Discussion Form in the Oncourse Message Center. However that only works if everyone monitors that section and help each other out. If you need my input, just email me the specific problem and be sure to attach your fla file so that I can see exactly what is happening.
I will reply as soon as possible - - sometimes I'm online and other times it may take a few hours but I will get back to you.
Have a good weekend and I'm around online (in and out) every day.
Dr. J
Class Update - May 9, 2008
Hello,
This update message will be more brief than the 'start up' one of a few days back.
Encourage everyone to keep on track and on schedule. In a summer session, the weeks fly by and it's imperative to not fall behind.
Assignments are due at midnight on the due date; keep track of those at the course calendar http://eduscapes.com/flash/syllabus.htm#9
ASSIGNMENTS
Many of you have already posted an introduction / update your profile at Oncourse (Due today). And you should have already read the assigned sections of the course materials:
Exploration http://eduscapes.com/flash/overview.htm
Flash Projects http://eduscapes.com/flash/explore.htm
Today's new assigned readings for this week are:
Flash Applications http://eduscapes.com/flash/categories.htm
Flash Approaches http://eduscapes.com/flash/organize.htm
Evaluation http://eduscapes.com/flash/evaluate.htm
Also read 1: Exploration and Evaluation (PDF file) of the online textbook.
http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash1.pdf
As soon as you have completed the readings, you need to work on the Flashlight 1 exercise http://eduscapes.com/flash/guide.htm#f1 (Due Monday, May 12).
CREATE A WEBSITE FOR SHARING YOUR WORK
Throughout this course, you will be completing assignments. All except for the first (Flashlight1) will involve creating a Flash product. You must have a space to upload and share that work.
Options are to use:
Oncourse Workspace
IUPUI Web space
Google Pages http://pages.google.com/
Find a little more information about these options at the Requirements page http://eduscapes.com/flash/require.htm#3
Make your decision and create a webspace for sharing all of your work; email me the URL that connects me to the entry page. Add the title of each of your assignments and link them to that entry page - as they are completed in the next few weeks.
You do not have to wait until the due date to post an assignment. With the brief time period for the class, it's a good idea to work ahead - - especially for the Flashlight1 assignment. If you can do that, get a head start with the reading materials and assigned exercise for Flashlight 2.
That's it for today. I look forward to reading the rest of the introductions tomorrow morning. Email me with any questions or concerns.
Larry
Class Update - May 7, 2008
Hello Everyone,
I hope you are ready to officially get this semester off to a great start! It's time for our class to get rolling - - so here is that the startup update. Some of you have already been into Oncourse and posted your introduction. But first, if you have not previously emailed me, I would appreciate getting a message back confirming that you received this and are in the course. If you prefer that I use a different email address or want me to add another address, not a problem.
Second - this message will be a little detailed but I need to provide a some preliminary information, establish a level 'playing field' so that people can begin to learn more about the class and begin work . . .
EMAIL UPDATE MESSAGES
I will be sending out periodic emails (like this one) to everyone to try and keep you up-to-date on assignments, due dates, and what's-going-on for the class. Sometimes I will throw in a bit of personal information. Feel free to share some of your life with me also, especially since we do not meet face-to-face. I will place an archive of these emails online at the course website and you will see them on the course entry page at Oncourse. Read them carefully, and be sure to check if you do not understand something.
Normally, the quickest and easiest way to communicate with me is via email. I can often get back to you in minutes or at least a few hours. However when I'm away or offline, it might take as long as 24 hours. Contact me directly by email at larrjoh@gmail.com - - that is the fastest, most efficient way to reach me (other email from Oncourse and escapees.com gets forwarded to my gmail address - sometimes takes a little longer to trickle my way).
ONCOURSE FORUMS
We will also use the Oncourse forum area for most of our class discussions. There will be informal discussion areas setup such as the required "Introduce Yourself" and project sharing areas. There are also a number of formal assigned discussion areas (More about those later). We will also use Oncourse for the course evaluation and grade score records.
NO SYNCHRONOUS MEETINGS
We will not meet face-to-face or have scheduled sessions for this class. That's one advantage of an online course; you do not have to be in a particular location at a given time. However this does mean that you are responsible for scheduling your own time to meet the course requirements. You may find that this is the most difficult part of the course. Each course is different (This is one of several online courses that I teach) but all require discipline and commitment.
ONLINE COURSE MATERIALS
In addition to the course section at Oncourse, the starting point for class materials is http://www.eduscapes.com/flash/
There you will find the syllabus, calendar and online textbook information. You may find a broken link or error that has been overlooked on some of the pages, and I would appreciate your taking time to notify me of those. It is especially helpful if you identify the exact problem and copy / paste the webpage URL in the email.
There is NO TEXTBOOK required for this course, but there are lots of online materials and reading. You may also want to check out some of the many books now available for Flash8 (This version of the software came out last Fall and many how-to texts are now available).
REMEMBER: It is your responsibility to keep your eye on the schedule, course requirements and the calendar. Also be sure to read each update carefully. This spring semester, I had a good student forget to take an online quiz (this course doesn't have any quizzes), but the point is that they lost a few points because it was clearly on the calendar. A reminder was included in the update message.
Also your responsibility to read and gain understanding of all assignments; make sure you cover the material. We only have five weeks to get through the course, so try not to fall behind. And the end of the session, grades have to be turned in . . .
Having said that (just want you to devote enough time to successfully complete the requirements); I am here to help you successfully complete the course.
COURSE MATERIALS
Following is a list of some of the most important web-links to course resources. You can also find these in Oncourse under the "Syllabus" tab. Use the links to begin and progress through the course requirements.
Course Index. This page contains links to all the course materials; this is the materials starting point. http://eduscapes.com/flash/
Syllabus. This page provides the course syllabus including the course materials, goals, requirements, grading policy, and calendar. http://eduscapes.com/flash/syllabus.htm
Calendar. This link connects directly to the course calendar including the assignments and due pages. Notice that the calendar has three columns. The first column provides dates. The second column discusses the things you should be doing such as things to work on and read. The third column states the projects that are due. http://eduscapes.com/flash/syllabus.htm#9
Email Archives. This webpage will house the archives of the course announcements and email updates. (This and other messages will be added there!) http://eduscapes.com/flash/archives.htm
Requirements. This page summarizes the course activities and assignments including the course readings http://eduscapes.com/flash/require.htm
CourseQuest (Guide webpage). This page will serve as your guide through the course. http://eduscapes.com/flash/guide.htm
Course Checklist. This document contains a checklist of course requirements. I recommend that you refer to the criteria listed for each of the assigned tasks; you may want to print each out and use it to guide / track your progress through the course. http://eduscapes.com/flash/checklist.htm
WORDS OF CAUTION
This is a little different than other online courses that I or my wife (Annette Lamb) teach; it can not easily be compared to L571 Information Architecture for he Web. HTML coding and Flash codings are two very different technologies. Adobe Flash (formerly owned by Macromedia) is a unique development package that has its own 'look and feel' and is different than other software packages that I have used. The materials are primarily aimed at the CS3 version,.
During this Summer1 term (Weeks will move by fast), we cover the basics of Flash development. For some of you, learning and using the software may come easy; for others you may struggle until you feel comfortable. Even though this is a 1.5 credit hour course; it is still being fit to a shortened summer term. You cannot afford to fall behind (there's not any wiggle room for catch-up), and most of you will need to allow extra time for mastering the Interaction segment and it's associated Flashlight3 activity.
Having said all that, recognize that in these weeks, we cannot cover and do everything. Therefore in your five (5) assigned Flashlight activities and the one Flash Final Project, you need to focus on the things most important to you. You may even find that in that time, you are not able to solve or complete a particular technique - - We are not going to view that as a failure! Instead focus on what is learned in the process. The key is to focus on meeting the minimum requirements; do that by first following the directions and giving attention to the criteria checklists. Beyond that, you can take it as far as possible.
Remember as an adjunct professor, I cannot assign a grade of incomplete. At the end of the term, I have to assign the grade based upon the points you have earned.
Having said all that, I will help as much as possible -- answer the questions that I can, provide added information, etc. But another source of great support is the manner in which you all help each other. And most importantly, if you are stuck / having problems / don't understadn - - YOU MUST COMMUNICATE with me. Send a help message explaining the problem and I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you are dealing with a Flash software problem, attach the coding and I can examine exactly what you have . . . As with most software programs, there is often more than one way to complete a task. If we collaborate and share, everyone gains.
You should have access to a recent version of the Flash Software (CS3 or the older Flash8 version). Prior update message has additional information on the software. If anyone is going to try getting by with the trial version, don't download it until you are ready to begin creating your Flashlight 2 product; and you will need access form then until the end of the course (timing of the 30-day trial is critical).
LET'S START
Here are my recommendations for gaining a quick "grasp" of this course. Scan through / become familiar with the syllabus and the course requirements. Do not print out any pages (other than the checklists); the website is there and will be there after this class is history. Then proceed to the CourseQuest (Guide webpage) and begin reading through to see how the course materials are organized. As soon as you get a general "feel" for the structure, you can really get started on the first assigned readings and activities.
Don't forget to introduce yourself at Oncourse and if this is your fist online class, complete your personal profile there too. Together with email and the "Flash" website, Oncourse will serve as a primary communication route for the course. It will be where you will post your communications/discussions and some of your assignments for the class.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
If you have time, you may want to check out my / our website for information - - wife, Annette Lamb and I are "virtual" professors; full-time RVers who live in our 'trailer' down by the river (8-). Actually right now we are staying at a campground in rural, southern Utah near on the outskirts of the small town of Torrey. This is one of the most rural locations in the continental U.S.; entire county has just over 2,000 residents and no stop lights, but there are several restaurants and motels a short distance from our campground. Throughout late Spring, Summer and into the early Fall, thousands of tourists visit the area. A good percentage are international visitors who travel through of the 'Grand Circle Tour.' You can find some more information / news of our life and lifestyle at our websection at http://www.eduscapes.com/lamb/
Note that the websection for this class is a part of our larger eduScapes family of websites; entry page is http://www.eduscapes.com
I live and work "on-to-road" from a motorhome. But I do have a mailing address - - a permanent address located in Texas. The "Escapees" organization there forwards my mail once per week. I do not anticipate any need for using surface mail. Instead I plan to communicate/exchange everything needed for the course via the Internet, email or web, but if someone does need to send me anything via mail - - contact me and I can provide the direct address.
FINALLY
Have a great time getting started. You can expect another email in a few days, but first I want you to have some time to explore the course materials and get those startup activities completed.
Back with you soon,
Dr. J.
Class Welcome Email
For some of you - those who have already made contact with me through a direct email, this is largely redundant information. Spring semester is ending, and our short Summer1 term is about to begin.
Ask that you use my main email address: larrjoh@gmail.com Other addresses will work, but this is the fastest way, the most direct manner to contact me.
If you prefer that I email you at another address, just let me know.
The start date for the Flash Multimedia class is rapidly approaching. Assure you that there is not a required textbook for the online course; all readings are online. However you do need access to the latest version Flash software. The materials are aimed at the Flash CS3. Flash software is available at the University Bookstore, and I believe they have the best pricing available.
You might be able to make it through with the 30-day free trial available from Adobe; but remind you that running out the strict time limit without completing your work could be a disaster!
Flash software is also available in computer labs on-campus. Check specific labs at http://uits.iu.edu/scripts/ose.cgi?amdq.ose.help
If you plan to take the Web Architecture class, I would recommend that you purchase the Creative Suite that includes Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and other software packages.
The course website is at http://eduscapes.com/flash/ Notice that the calendar is not set for Summer term; that will be changed before the course starting date.
But only thing needed until class begins is to have the Flash software.
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