New Media Productions

Objective: 

In this class students will learn how to design and develop Internet sites that function effectively with multiple platforms (desktop computers, cellphones, etc.), and will receive hands on experience in the use of media and web development software such as Dreamweaver, WordPress and Fireworks. Topics will be presented through brief lectures and demonstrations, but most class time will be dedicated to working on assignments. Assignments will support the development of a portfolio that students can use to showcase the skills they acquire in this class to future colleagues and employers.

Target Audience:

This class is not an advanced web development course. Students with extensive experience designing and implementing web sites will find some of the material covered in this class redundant. This class is intended for students who want to become proficient in web and media development for their own area of expertise. Students will leave this class with a greater understanding of how to use the Internet effectively, and an emergent set of skills, that can be applied and enhanced in a variety of future settings.

Texts:

This class uses a workbook (The New Media Cookbook) that is available for pickup at print copy services in the Tate center for less than ten dollars. A free electronic version is available online to supplement the print version but all students are required to purchase the print version as well.

To supplement the workbook and introduce students to resources that they can draw on in the future, this class also features weekly reading and listening assignments from websites such as Lynda.com and w3schools.com. 

The New York Times (Available in Print on Campus for Free)

Portfolio:

Students will create their own website with associated media for their portfolio. Where appropriate, class exercises will be incorporated into the portfolio. Evaluations will be based on the student's ability to effectively incorporate and present the programming and design skills that were presented during the class.

Class Participation:

This is a hands-on class requiring extensive participation and sharing among all class members. Students will be evaluated based on class attendance, willingness to ask questions and assist their classmates, and other aspects of communication and teamwork.  Most of the work in this course is done in-class. Don't miss unless you have to! If you do miss a class, contact me ahead of time (email is fine) to avoid an un-excused absence. Three un-excused absences will cause a grade reduction.

Make-Up Work: 

All students must make up work missed due to an excused absence within 5 days of return to school unless allowed additional time. It is the student's responsibility to request make-up work.

Technology News Quizzes:

Online quizzes will be posted each week, covering the current week's technology news. Students are required to read technology articles that are linked from the NMI's homepage. Each student must complete an online Quiz covering these articles. Every Friday a quiz will be posted online. This quiz will be self administered on ELC (check out the Academic Honesty Policy below) and timed. Students must complete the quiz by 5P on Monday. Late Quizzes will not be accepted.

 Find out more at http://mynmi.net/students/take-the-quiz/ .

Technology Skills Quizzes:

Multiple quizzes throughout the semester will be based on reading or homework assignments outside of class. The first reading assignment is located at http://www.20thingsilearned.com/ .  Additional quizzes will be based on courses from lynda.com and w3schools.com.

NMI Policies:

All NMI students must agree to our policies and comply with our social media requirements. You must read and sign off on the policies and meet the social media requirements during the first week of class to remain in the class.

Social Media Requirements:

All students enrolled in an NMIX class must complete the following during the first week of classes:

Join the New Media Institute LinkedIn Group.
Create a Facebook Profile.
"Like" the New Media Institute Fan Page.
Create a Twitter Account
"Follow" NMIUGA & NMIstudents
*All accounts must have the students full name and a picture.
Links to each of these accounts can be found at the bottom of the NMI website (mynmi.net).

Class Policies: 

Project Policies:

The instructor for this course is available to meet with students upon request. The best means for scheduling a meeting with the instruction is via email: emuel.aldridge@gmail.com.

Intructor Philosophy:

At some deep level all of this stuff is logical but that logic is not always apparent. A willingness to move forward without a complete understanding of what you are doing is sometimes called for and often leads to an understanding of what you did.

Standards of Practice:

Classes in the New Media Institute will teach you about new media. But they will also teach you how to be successful professionals in whatever field you choose. Below you will find some standards of practice for students in New Media Institute classes. Adhering to these rules will not only make you a more successful student, practicing them in your career will make you a better professional. If you feel that you cannot conform to these practices, please consult with your teacher – maybe a New Media Institute course isn't right for you.

No Texting!
It is unprofessional to allow outside interruptions to disrupt meetings. Fifty minutes without texting is not that difficult; get over it. Ideally, turn your cell phone off before you enter class.

Academic Honesty:

As a University of Georgia Student, you have agreed to abide by the University's academic honesty policy, “A Culture of Honesty", and the Student Honor Code.  All academic work must meet the standards described in "A Culture of Honesty" found at:  www.uga.edu/honesty   Lack of knowledge of the academic honesty policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation.  Please read the entire policy online, but the short story is don't cheat.  You will be expected to do your own work and to report individuals who do not do their own work. You will have several assignments where you will not be monitored but that does not excuse appropriating other individual's work.  The punishments for violations of the Academic Honesty Policy are severe. Frankly, the pay off ain't worth the risk – don't do it.  Questions related to course assignments and the academic honesty policy should be directed to the instructor.

DISTRIBUTION OF POINTS:

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

Changes to Course Syllabus:

The course syllabus is a general plan; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary. These are the standards of practice for students in the New Media Institute.