Syllabus


Syllabus for Multimedia Composition


 

Multimedia Composition Class Syllabus

                                Department:  English  Course Title:  Multimedia Composition

                        Grade Level:  Eleventh and Twelfth    Prerequisite:  Eng. 9/10/comp. app.

 

I.  Course  Description

            Multimedia composition is a productions class designed to provide students with experiences in yearbook layout, desktop publishing, non-fiction writing and video production.  Students will be put into two groups to work on each segment of the class simultaneously for nine weeks.  Each group will be responsible for completion of several projects.  Examples of projects are as follows:  fifty pages of the yearbook submitted to the publisher, weekly newspaper articles, senior video production and activity program design. 

 

II.  Course Outcomes

            1.  Students will develop skill in the use of mechanics and conventions of language in relation to             purpose, audience, and performance.

 

            2.  Students will think critically in order to solve problems and make decisions in their daily lives                 using the modes of communication.

 

            3.  Students will learn the main elements of design.

 

            4.  Students will locate information and use it to answer questions.

 

    5.  Students will understand how language adapts to the needs of people through different times     and situations.

 

            6.  Students will increase their multi-cultural, non-sexist, and global awareness, while at the

                  same time, develop understanding of common cultural experiences.

 

    7.  Students will use the communicative arts to increase awareness of career opportunities and         interests that they may have.

 

            8.  Students will develop an increasing awareness of technical developments and how to apply                 these towards communication.

 

    9.  Students will become more comfortable and capable of communicating to large and diverse         audiences.

 

    10.  Students will increase their knowledge in the use of equipment and programs such as: a

      digital camera, camcorder, video editing equipment, InDesign, Publisher, Windows Movie Maker         and Powerpoint programs as well as many others.

 

 

III.  Course Competencies

            1.  Students will use the five step writing process.

            2.  Students will apply design elements to yearbook projects.

            3.  Students will create yearbook spreads and understand the procedure for doing so.

            4.  Students will produce non-fiction, journalistic writing.

            5.  Students will develop a system to track accounts.

            6.  Students will produce the Valley Yearbook.

            7.  Students will create and submit several newspaper articles to local papers for                                    publication.

            8.  Students will demonstrate communications strategies for different target groups.

            9.  Students will learn to handle deadline situations.

            10.  Students will utilize cooperative production methods and focus on teamwork.

            11.  Students will provide programs for Valley High School activities.

            12.  Students will learn skills necessary in today’s work environment.

 

IV.  Course Outline

            Students will be divided into two groups of equal amount and will rotate through the following semester assignments with experience in each.           

 

            Semster A – Yearbook

            The group will be responsible for 50 complete, error-free pages of the Valley High School Yearbook and all of the processes involved in production.

 

            Competencies:          

            -  Students will use the five step writing process.

            -  Students will apply design elements to yearbook projects.

            -  Students will create yearbook spreads and understand the procedure for doing so.

            -  Students will produce non-fiction, journalistic writing.

            -  Students will develop a system to track accounts.

            -  Students will produce the Valley Yearbook.

            -  Students will learn skills necessary in today’s work environment.

            -  Students will utilize cooperative production methods and focus on teamwork.

 

            Semester B – Newspaper

            Each individual must submit one article each week to the Echo by their designated deadlines.

-  Students will create and submit several newspaper articles to local papers for publication.

            -  Students will demonstrate communications strategies for different target groups.

            -  Students will learn to handle deadline situations.

            -  Students will utilize cooperative production methods and focus on teamwork.

            -  Students will learn skills necessary in today’s work environment.

 

            Both Semesters – Programs

            Both groups will be responsible for weekly activity program design.

 

            Competencies:

            -  Students will use the five step writing process

            -  Students will learn skills necessary in today’s work environment.

            -  Students will utilize cooperative production methods and focus on teamwork.

            -  Students will provide programs for Valley High School activities.

 

V.  Course Resources

            Students in this class will be required and expected to use the following resources:

            -Herff-Jones Yearbook Kit/software

            -Resources in the Valley Media Center

            -Computer Lab and classroom computers for word processing and other                                                    productions

            -digital cameras

            -Supplementary material provided in class

 

VI.  Course Projects and Assessment Strategies

            In addition to the main projects for each group, there will be several smaller projects, practice projects, experiments, and daily work which will need to be completed.

 

VII.  Evaluation Methodology and Scale

            All course projects will be evaluated to determine the attainment of identified competencies and objectives.  Project and major assignment evaluation will be based upon an established rubric, which identifies the targeted competencies and objectives.  Successful completion requires a quality demonstration of all competencies.  However, class participation is key to both the student’s success and the class’s success; therefore, class participation will also be evaluated.  This means attendance is very important!  All students will be expected to maintain a portfolio in the room in which all work and evaluations must be placed. 

           

            A note about group projects - all deadlines are final!  Teamwork is an important aspect not only in school, but in college, careers, and life in general, so if some members of your group are struggling, it is in your best interest to help them out so your whole group gets their projects in on time.

 

            Students will be given specific small group assignments while in each of the larger groups.  Usually, the group leader, a team meeting, or the instructor will decide on these assignments.  Small groups are necessary to go in all the directions a group needs to go in.  Plan well, and if you choose the person you are working with, choose wisely to get your work done.

 

            Multimedia is comparable to a small publications company.  Like any small business, there is no room for individuals who are not dedicated to its complete success.  Therefore, there is need for a strict policy in dealing with those not carrying their fair share of the load.  Attendance is also crucial, and if there are attendance problems, you will be letting your coworkers down and will probably be asked to resign from the class.  Grading in multimedia composition class is based on a business system.  Like in business, you either succeed or fail by the amount and quality of work you put into it.

 

The grading scale is as follows:

What do you deserve in multimedia composition?

It’s all business.

Advance in the company - (does great quality work; does what needs to be done without asking the supervisor what to do; takes initiative)           

                                                            [90%-100%]                                                     

Benefits in addition to paycheck - (does better than average work; does more than required)                                                                     

                                              [80%-89%]

Check only - (does only average work; does only the required amount of work)

                                                            [70%-79%]

Deduction from check - (does not do required amount of work; does less than average; does not work as a team member at all times)  

                                              [60%-69%]

Fired - (does not do work; does not work as a team member)

                                              [ < 59%]                                               

 

VIII.  Classroom Rules and Expectations

            1.  Students are expected to be in the classroom, in their seats when the class    period starts.  If             students need to go elsewhere to work, they still need to come to the room first and check in with             the teacher!  Always sign out if you need to go somewhere.

            2.  Students are expected to contribute positively to the learning environment.    Negative                         comments will not be allowed.

    3.  If you do something that is an embarrassment or is detrimental to the multimedia comp.class

    or the school, you will be asked to leave the class.  You must have pride in the productions you

    are making!

            4.  If a student is absent, he or she is responsible for finding out from the teacher what the                     make-up assignment is and he/she will lose their daily points.

            5.  Students are expected to put forth their best effort in learning and demonstrating the course                 competencies. 

            6.  Students are expected to show respect for the other students and the instructor at all times.