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 1.5 graduate credit 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 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.

Course Description

This course was designed for academic, public, and school librarians. However other librarians involved with web development and multimedia development may be interested. The course is also useful for university and K-12 educators, instructional designers, information scientists, and others interested in developing online materials and presentations.

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.

Course Content, Topics, and Calendar
The course is divided into six related sections:

Part 1 - Exploring Flash products

• Flash applications
• Flash approaches
• Evaluation of Flash products

Part 2 - Basics of Flash software

• Working with Flash
• Working with graphics
• Building graphic elements for a Plash product

Part 3 - Flash Animation

• Frame-by-frame
• Motion tweening
• Shape tweening

Part 4 – Flash Interactivity

• Types of Interactivity
• Active Learning
• ActionScript in Flash
• Components in Flash

Part 5 - Flash Multimedia

• Power of Multimedia
• Sound in Flash
• Video in Flash
• Visual Elements in Flash

Part 6 - Planning and Producing a Flash Project

• Audience, purpose, architecture
• Design Issues
• Accessibility
• Testing and usability
• Packaging & publishing a Flash product
  

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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 - P.O. Box 206, 1341 S. Boulder Dr., Teasdale, Utah 8473
Email - ljohnson@mail.escapees.com or ljohnso@iupui.edu
Voice Mail - 435 425-3415

Note: When you enroll in the course, send an email to Dr. Johnson notifying of your participation and confirming the email address that you want to be used for communication.

Reminder: When you enroll in the course, email Dr. Johnson notifying him of your participation and confirming the email address that you want used for course communications.

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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. This course requires use of the Adobe Flash software. The latest version is available at no charge to all IUPUI students through IUware – FlashCS5 is one component of the Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium Package (Available in Mac or PC versions) https://iuware.iu.edu/

• Login with your username and passphrase to download and install the software on your computer.
• Before downloading check that you have enough hard drive space and have the correct operating system.
• Plan ahead and have the Flash software program in hand by the end of the first week of the course.

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, 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.

AIM Your Flash Project

• Chapter 1: Exploration and Evaluation (PDF document)
  http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash1.pdf
  
• Chapter 2: The Basics (PDF document)
  http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash2.pdf
  
• Chapter 3: Animation (PDF document)
  http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash3.pdf
  
• Chapter 4: Interaction (PDF document)
  http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash4.pdf
  
• Chapter 5: Multimedia (PDF document)
  http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash5.pdf
  
• Chapter 6: Planning and Producing (PDF document)
  http://eduscapes.com/flash/pdf/flash6.pdf

If you need for face-to-face assistance, consider the short STEPS workshops offered by University Information Technology Services (UITS). http://ittraining.iu.edu/workshops/workshop_groups.aspx

Textbook.

There is no textbook required for this Flash course. There is a text provided online in the course materials (Required Readings Above).
While some students find it easy to read off the screen, others may prefer a print version of the readings. There are two ways to access the print materials for class:

1 - You can download and print the individual PDF files as they're shown in the CourseGuide.

2 - You can order a copy of the book from the Lulu website (Following link)
Lamb, Annette and Larry Johnson (2009). AIM Your Project with Flash (2nd Edition). Vision to Action Publishing. ISBN 1-891917-09-9
http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fStoreID=2313538

Additional Materials from Lynda.com. IU students, faculty, and staff have access to Lynda.com’s award-winning educational materials.The Lynda.com library has more than 650 video-based elearning courses on Adobe CS5 applications (Including FlashCS5). Go to IT Training's lynda page to get started http://ittraining.iu.edu/lynda After exploring the entry page, proceed to the lynda.com Tutorials & Software Training http://www.lynda.com/home/ViewCourses.aspx (link near bottom of entry page will redirect to login page). There are dozens of tutorials for Flash CS5. Make sure that you acquaint yourself and use this excellent resource.

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 few optional texts. Each week we'll explore different topics. Read the matching chapter in the book(s) you select.

• Grover, Chris (2010). FlashCS5: The Missing Manual. Pogue Press. 978-1449380250
• Adobe Creative Team (2010). Adobe Flash Professional CS5 Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press. ISBN 978-0321701800

Several 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.

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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 at

Joseph T. Taylor Hall (UC), Room 137
815 W. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Tel: (317) 274 3241
TDD/TTY: (317) 278 2050
Fax: (317) 278 2051
Email aes@iupui.edu

For more information go to http://www.iupui.edu/~divrsity/aes/

Academic Misconduct

Students should be sure to read the Student Code of Conduct. This code is intended to identify the basic rights, responsibilities, and expectations of all students and student groups, to serve as a guide for the overall student experience at Indiana University at Indianapolis (IUPUI).

IUPUI strives to “foster the best possible environment for teaching and learning, one that is based upon mutual respect and upon clear expectations of one another within the community of teachers and learners.” 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. (IUPUI Academic Handbook, p200).

For more information, go to:
Student Code of Conduct http://www.iupui.edu/code/
A Guide for IUPUI Faculty http://www.iupui.edu/~fcouncil/handbook/

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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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