Course
Information

Syllabus

Calendar

Requirements

CourseQuest

Workshop

Course
Resources

Exploration

Projects

Applications

Approaches

Evaluation

Basics

Animation

Interaction

Multimedia

Planning

Issues

Packaging

Course Syllabus

Whether you'd like to build effective information tutorials or attention-getting animation sequences, the Adobe Flash environment is for you. Gain experience with this cutting-edge multimedia technology tool.

This course is ideal for beginners with little or no prior experience using Flash software, a web animation authoring tool. The class provides experience developing web-based multimedia materials that contain sound, graphic, animation, and interactive components. Students will be involved in examining and evaluating existing Flash projects, gaining hands-on experience through a series of practical skills-building tasks, and planning and creating a meaningful, authentic final project such as an informational or instructional tutorial, a dynamic simulation, or an engaging multimedia activity. Regardless of whether you're interested in animation applications in library and information science, teaching and learning, or other fields, you'll find lots of practical ideas and develop marketable skills.

This course will expand your thinking about animation, interaction, and multimedia projects. It will also build your technical skills in using Adobe Flash. This course will be taught entirely online including web-based readings and resources, threaded discussions, plus online activities. Choices allow graduate students with varied backgrounds and interests to select activities that meet their professional needs.

This page was designed for a 1.5 credit hour, graduate course at IUPUI. If you've stumbled upon the course and want to learn more about it, email Larry Johnson for more information.

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Overview

Read the syllabus below and review the course requirements. Then, proceed to the Course Quest. Have fun!

Use the following links for quick access to the information on this syllabus:

• Instructor Contact Information
• Course Materials
  
• Course Assumptions
  
• Course Goals
• Course Requirements
• Course Grades
• Accommodations
• Academic Misconduct
• Course Calendar

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Instructor Contact Information

Instructor - Larry Johnson, Ph.D.
Mail-forwarding Address - 238 Rainbow Drive #13839 Livingston TX 77399-2038
Email - larrjoh@gmail.com or ljohnso@iupui.edu
Voice Mail - 620 343 7989
Fax - 620 343 7989

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Online Course Materials

• Syllabus - http://eduscapes.com/flash/syllabus.htm
  
• Email Archives - http://eduscapes.com/flash/archives.htm
  
• Requirements - http://eduscapes.com/flash/require.htm
  
• Checklist - http://eduscapes.com/flash/checklist.htm
  
• Course Quest - http://eduscapes.com/flash/guide.htm
  
• Oncourse Sharing Area - http://oncourse.iu.edu

Course Materials

Required Software. You will need to have access to Adobe Flash. We recommend Adobe Flash CS3.

Although we advise you to purchase the Adobe Creative Suite CS3, you may wish to just purchase Adobe Flash CS3. If you already have Flash 8 or older, feel free to use this software.

A 30-day trial version of the Adobe Flash CS3 software is now available through the Adobe website. This option might work for the course if you delayed downloading until you are ready to begin creating a Flash program (Flashlight 2 assignment) and finished all work in the trial period. That can be a challenge! Conventional options for purchasing software include:

1. Option 1 - Purchase the Adobe Flash Pro CS3 for $249 through the IUPUI bookstore http://iupui.bncollege.com/. You can do this by following the directions online (Browse in Technology section followed by Software).
   
2. Option 2 - If you already have the Macromedia Flash 8 package, use it.
   
3. Option 3 - Purchase one of the Adobe Creative Suite 3 - make sure you chose one that includes Flash. This option makes sense if you plan to take the web development course or just want to have the added capabilities provided by one of the more extensive suite packages.

Required Readings. By completing the required online readings, using the AIM Your Flash Project PDF modules (Download each chapter from website), completing the online Try It activities, and using the help files that come with Flash 8, you may be able to create the required projects without additional print materials. However, for people who prefer print materials, we've provided the following suggested materials.

• Workshop Handout - Quick-Start (PDF Document)
• AIM Your Flash Project
  • Chapter 1: Exploration and Evaluation (PDF document)
  • Chapter 2: The Basics (PDF document)
  • Chapter 3: Animation (PDF document)
  • Chapter 4: Interaction (PDF document)
  • Chapter 5: Multimedia (PDF document)
  • Chapter 6: Planning and Producing (PDF document)

If you feel strongly about the need for face-to-face practice, consider the short workshops offered by IU IT Training. They also have short tutorials and exercise files for additional practice. Browse the listings for Instructor-led workshops to find those for Flash. Information Technology Services also have short tutorials and exercise files for additional practice.

Suggested Readings. Between the HELP option within Flash and the required readings, you should be able to complete the required assignments. However some people are more comfortable learning from additional print materials. Books also make great reference tools. As a result, I've provided a list of optional texts. Each week we'll explore different topics. Read the matching chapter in the book you select.

For persons using the Flash 8 software:

• Chun, Russell & Robertson, H. Paul. Macromedia Flash 8 Advanced for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickPro Guide. Peachpit. 2006. (Recommend this as the best overall for advanced applications)
• English, James. Flash 8: Training from the Source. Macromedia Press. 2006. (Recommend this as the best tutorial for beginners)
• Ulrich, Katherine. Macromedia Flash 8 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide. Peachpit Press. 2006. (Recommend this as the best overall for beginners)

Many excellent Flash books are available. Each uses different examples and techniques. Some are more focused on using Flash as a tool for animation, while others emphasize web-based applications. Also, keep in mind that you'll want to select a book that matches your version of Flash.

Users of the newer Flash CS3 software who prefer a tutorial format where you'll be taken step-by-step through examples:

• Anderson, Andy, Johnson, Steve, & Perspection Inc. Adobe Flash CS3 Professional On Demand. Que. 2007.
• Chun, Russell. Flash CS3 Professional Advanced for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickPro Guide. Peachpit Press. 2007.
• Kerman, Philip. Teach Yourself Adobe Flash CS3 Professional in 24 Hours. Sams. 2007.
• Perkins, Todd. Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Hands-On Training. Peachpit Press. 2007.
• Schaeffer, Mark. Adobe Flash CS3 Professional How-Tos: 100 Essential Techniques (How-Tos). 2007.

If you want to learn more about the programming aspects of Flash, I recommend the following:

• Perkins, Todd. ActionScript 3.0 for Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Hands-On Training. Peachpit Press. 2007.

If you prefer a web-based approach to learning, consider a subscription to flash-creations. For $20 you get 30 day access to lots of files and examples. Many of the materials are available without a subscription, but I encourage you to support this website. We'll be using the free aspects of this website for the course Try It activities.

Also you have access to e-books that are available to checkout FREE through IUCAT to IUPUI students:

• AdvancED Actionscript Components: Mastering the Flash Component Architecture by Antonio De Donatis. Springer Science & Business Media. 2006. (ebook through IUCAT)
• Animating With Flash 8: Creative Animation Techniques by Alex Michael. Elsevier. 2006. (ebook through IUCAT)
• Flash 8 ActionScript Bible by Joey Lott & Robert Reinhardt. John Wiley & Sons. 2006. (ebook through IUCAT)
• Flash CS3 for Dummies--For Dummies by Ellen Finkelstein & Gurdy. John Wiley & Sons. 2007. (ebook through IUCAT)
• Foundation ActionScript for Flash 8 by Kristian Besley, Sham Bhangal, David Powers, & Eric Dolecki. Springer Science & Business Media. 2006. (ebook through IUCAT)
• Foundation Flash 8 by Sham Bhangal & Kristian Besley. Springer Science & Business Media. 2006. (ebook through IUCAT)
• Macromedia Flash 8 @Work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Done by Phillip Kerman. Pearson Education, Inc. 2006. (ebook through IUCAT)
• Understanding Macromedia Flash 8 ActionScript 2 [2Nd Ed.] by Andrew Rapo & Alex Michael. Elsevier. 2006. (ebook through IUCAT)

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Course Assumptions

The following entry skills and prerequisites are required for this course:

• SLIS 401. Previous basic experience with Web design is helpful, but not necessary.
• demonstrate basic computer skills related to keyboarding, operating system, and disk management
• use technology as a personal and professional productivity tool for activities such a word processing (Microsoft Word) and desktop presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint)
• use a word processor, web development tool, or raw HTML for simple web page development
• download drivers and plugins such as Real Media, Windows Media Player, and/or QuickTime to play audio and video from the web - directions are provided in class
• use Oncourse for forums and information sharing

This course makes the assumption that you are able to work independently. There are no required face-to-face meetings. There are no required synchronous online meetings. However, feel free to email or arrange a chat with your instructor any time!

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Course Goals

Each student will have the opportunity to:

• Explore, categorize, and evaluate existing Flash projects.
• Create basic Flash projects that incorporate animation, interaction, and multimedia elements.
• Participate in class discussion and online communication for the purpose of sharing resources, ideas, and drawing conclusions on projects and issues.

The instructor will:

• Convey examples, techniques, tools, and models relevant to Flash projects.
• Guide students through the basic Flash skills and provide technical assistance as requested
• Judge student performance fairly in accordance with the SLIS grading policy and the expectations for the assignments outlined in this syllabus

Course Requirements

The course requirements will be addressed within a CourseQuest.

For a complete description of the requirements, go to the Course Requirements page.

For a nice checklist of the course activities, go to the Course Checklist.

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Course Grades

The points awarded for each activity are indicated on the Course Requirements. High expectations have been set for this course. Please notice that outstanding achievement will require careful attention to course criteria and exceptional quality in course assignments.

Final grades are based on the following range within the total 50 points possible:

A 48-50
A- 46-47
B+ 44-45
B 42-43
B- 40-41
C 38-39
F below 38

The meaning of the letter grades follows the SLIS Grading Policy:

A: Outstanding achievement. Student performance demonstrates full command of the course materials and evinces a high level of originality and/or creativity that far surpasses course expectations. The grade of A+ is not granted in SLIS, except in very exceptional cases.
A-: Excellent achievement. Student performance demonstrates thorough knowledge of the course materials and exceeds course expectations by completing all requirements in a superior manner.
B+: Very good work. Student performance demonstrates above-average comprehension of the course materials and exceeds course expectations on all tasks defined in the course syllabus.
B: Good work. Student performance meets designated course expectations, demonstrates understanding of the course materials, and has performed at an acceptable level.
B-: Marginal work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete understanding of course materials.
C+, C, C-: Unsatisfactory work and inadequate understanding of course materials.
D+, D, D-: Unacceptable work; course work completed at this level will not count toward the MLS degree.
F: Failing. May result in an overall grade point average below 3.0 and possible removal from the program.

A final grade of "I" or "Incomplete" will NOT be given except in extreme situations. Please let me know if you're having difficulty completing the requirements of this course.

Accommodations

Students needing accommodations because of disability must register with Adaptive Educational Services and complete the appropriate form before accommodations will be given. The AES office is located in Cavanaugh Hall 001E, 425 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5140 and may be reached by phone 317/274-3241 or 317/278-2050 TTD/TTY; by fax 317/274-2051; or by email aes@iupui.edu

For more information go to http://www.life.iupui.edu/Who/Adaptive/

Academic Misconduct

Students should be sure to read the Academic Handbook for the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

The Academic Handbook states that faculty members have the responsibility of fostering the “intellectual honesty as well as the intellectual development of students.... The faculty member should explain clearly the meaning of cheating and plagiarism as they apply to the course....Should the faculty member detect signs of plagiarism or cheating, it is his or her most serious obligation to investigate these thoroughly, to take appropriate action with respect to the grades of students, and in any event to report the matter to the Dean of Students. The necessity to report every case of cheating, whether or not further action is desirable, arises particularly because of the possibility that this is not the student’s first offense, or that other offenses may follow it. Equity also demands that a uniform reporting practice be enforced; otherwise, some students will be penalized while others guilty of the same actions will go free.” (p. 172).

For more information, go to http://www.life.iupui.edu/Who/Dean/Code

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Course Calendar

Examine the Calendar below. The first column contains dates. The second column contains activities you should work on during the week indicated by the date. The third column showns specific assignments that are due as indicated in the first column.

All assignments are due by MIDNIGHT on the dates listed.

Note on Due Dates: One advantage of this type of course is flexibility. However based on my experiences teaching online, it's important to establish due dates. The due dates are provided to ensure that all students are successful in this course. Please let me know if you need to change these dates because of personal or professional responsibilities.

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