GENERAL

Course Title: IST 286: Web and Digital Media Development

Days & Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45am
Semester: Spring 2011
Web Locations:
blackboard.mst.edu (class)
makemedia.tv (class tutorials)

COURSE INFORMATION

Catalogue Description: This course covers techniques and tools for design and development of web-based
media, including text, graphics, animation, audio, and video.
Course Prerequisites: IST 151
Recommended Software/hardware (supported by Tutorials):
• Logitech Webcam and Software
• Techsmith Camtasia (screen capture)
• Adobe Premiere Elements (video)
• Adobe Dreamweaver (web)
• Adobe Photoshop Elements (graphics)

Supplemental Materials (optional): Books on multimedia applications. (See “supplemental materials”

section at the end of the syllabus).

Instructional Methods:

Tutorials: Links to tutorials, covering the applications required for the class, will be posted on the
course blackboard site.

Learning Objectives:

• Students should leave this course

o With the ability to use the following digital media applications to enhance and facilitate
communication, and to express themselves creatively:
 Web Editing
 Graphics
 Video editing & compression
• Of the four basic learning objectives for the Information Science and Technology BS degree
(communication, critical thinking, IT, and teamwork/leadership) the course learning goals fall within
the communication and IT competence areas.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

• Homework Assignments: Students are required to complete 12 homework assignments,

approximately one per week. These assignments will be posted every Monday, and are due by 8am
the following Monday (see schedule below).

COURSE POLICIES AND GRADING

• Evaluation Methods:
 o Basis for Grading: In general, if you meet all the guidelines for the assignment and turn it in
on time you will get a 7 or 8 for the assignment (out of 10). If you want a 9 or 10 on the
assignment you will need to exceed the guidelines. Recommendations for exceeding the
guidelines for the assignment will be listed with each assignment, and examples of students
who did this in previous semesters will also be posted with assignments. 10% is deducted if
an assignment is late. 10% more will be deducted for each additional day the
assignment is late up to 50%. Any assignment can be turned in any time before finals
week for 50% credit.
o There is no guarantee of extra credit in the class, so it is important to keep up with class
assignments, and the project.
o Note on software: The software listed above will be supported via tutorials provided.
Students can use other types of software for completing projects, so long as they meet the
assignment requirements. However, the instructor can provide support only for
software/hardware listed above, as specified for each assignment. For this reason, students
are encouraged to use the software/hardware supported for the class.

• Grading Scale:

Component num Points Each Total

Weekly Assignments 12 10 120

A: 108 - 120
B: 96 - 107
C: 84 - 95
D: 72 - 83

COURSE OUTLINE

Posting Assignment Due

Date
Feb 13 1. Intro to You Feb 20, 8am
20 2. Screen Capture: Desk Top Tour/Tutorials Feb 27, 8am
27 3. Web 1: Home Page March 6, 8am
March 6 4. Web 2: Divisions and HTML March 13, 8am
13 5. Web 3: CSS March 20, 8am
20 6. Web 4: Modifying Designs March 27, 8am
27 7. Graphics 1: Self Portrait April 3, 8am
April 3 8. Graphics 2: Fix Photo April 10, 8am
10 9. Graphics 3: Logo April 17, 8am
17 10. Video 1: Mash Up April 24, 8am
24 11. Video 2: Day in the Life May 1, 8am
May 1 12. Video 3: Science Fiction May 7, 8am

SUPPLIMENTAL MATERIALS

It is my intention that students should be able to complete all assignments based on the tutorials I
create for the class, and my assistance during class. Therefore, no textbooks are required for the course.
However, for students who would like to learn more details about the software tools, or who simply
prefer to use a text, there are many texts that cover the software we will use. Some of those that I have
found helpful are those from macromedia press (“http://www.adobe.com/support/mmpress/”) and those
 provided by Lynda.com.

The software we will be using in the class: Camtasia Studio 7, Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, Adobe
Photoshop Elements 9, and Premiere Elements 9.

• Academic Integrity Statement (http://registrar.mst.edu/academicregs/):

Violations of the University’s academic code include, but are not limited to, possession of or use of
unauthorized materials during quizzes or tests; providing unauthorized information to another student; or
copying the work of another person. Violations may result in academic penalties in addition to receiving an
“F” on the assignment in question. (See page 30 of MST’s “Student Academic Regulations” handbook for
further details about student standards of conduct relative to the system’s Collected Rules and Regulations
section 200.010.)

• Academic Alert System (http://academicalert.mst.edu/):

MST is committed to the success of its students by providing an environment conductive to teaching and
learning. To ensure that every student takes full advantage of the educational opportunities and support
programs on campus, the University has implemented an Academic Alert System, a web-based application.
The purpose of the System is to improve the overall academic success of students by:

• Improving communication between students, instructors, and advisors;

• Reducing the time required for students to be informed of their academic status;
• Informing students of actions they need to perform in order to meet the academic requirements in
the courses they are taking.

To assist you, I will initiate an academic alert for students who are not meeting academic course requirements
through poor performance on assignments or poor attendance. When an alert is initiated, an email is
immediately sent to the instructor, student, and advisor. You are encouraged to respond quickly to all
academic alerts. If you fail to open the alert within one week, email notification is sent to your advisor.

• Disability Support Services (http://dss.mst.edu/):

If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, you are strongly
encouraged to meet with me early in the semester. You will need to request that the Disability Services staff
send a letter to me verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need before I can
arrange your accommodation. If you have a disability that might require academic accommodations, please
visit Disability Support Services in 204 Norwood Hall (341-4211; dss@mst.edu) very early in the semester.