Web Sites: Official Site, Blackboard, Safari, and Lynda
Aside from the syllabus, the information contained online
is subject to periodic change and is NOT necessarily the most current sources of information
concerning CGT 353. As the instructor has the right to make changes
to the course content and due to the ever-changing
nature of technology, certain information online may be
obsolete or out-of-date. As such, it is up to the student to confirm all information related to the course by either attending class or obtaining the information
from another source.
The Blackboard site will be primarily used to distribute class grades. While some information will be duplicated on all three Web applications, the primary source of information should be the official CGT 353 web site.
Safari Books Online contains a wealth of free textbooks readily available for Purdue students. Lynda.com is the video tutorial site that is required for all CGT 353 students. Click here for instructions on accessing both resources.
Excused Absences:
Students must clear any absence beforehand with the instructor,
who will require documentation before the absence is excused.
Absences due to illness or other circumstances beyond a students
control will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will also
require documentation.
Attendance Policy:
- CGT 353 students are considered Computer Graphics Technology
professionals and are responsible for directing their own education.
As such, the decision to attend class is at each student's personal
discretion.
- Absences CAN effect student grades if they do not understand
the material or are not aware of changes to the class that can
include (but are not limited to) the scheduling of quizzes, exams,
assignments, projects, and extra credit. The instructor has the
right to alter the course at his own discretion, so students missing
class may not be aware of important information.
- Students are responsible for the body of information in the
lectures, labs, and assigned reading materials. Students who do
not attend class will not be given makeup lecture sessions or
notes by the instructor. Similarly, makeup tests and quizzes will
also not be given. If a student misses a class, it is up to them
to make sure they acquire the relevant material from another source.
Do NOT send the instructor an e-mail asking to explain the contents
of a missed lecture or lab.
- Students are expected to attend class for mandatory events
such as tests and quizzes, and it is up to the individual student
to know when those events are. Ignorance of these events is not
an excuse, and any student who wants current information is expected
to attend class.
Assistance and Questions:
Getting Help: The ability to solve problems is arguably the most vital characteristic of any CGT practitioner In applied situations, practitioners must be able to " think on the fly" and independently adapt to any given set of circumstances To acquire this ability, students must hone their independent problem-solving skills as frequently as possible. This cannot be achieved if the student is primarily reliant on the instructor for help. As such, CGT 353 students will be required to take the following steps before asking help from the instructor:
- Refer to the course textbooks.
- Refer to the Internet and World Wide Web.
- Refer to classmates.
Only after these resources have been thoroughly explored should students seek help from instructors. Students will be asked to detail the steps they took to individually solve a particular problem.
e-mails: Students should only e-mail the instructor unless it is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, instructors typically get a flood of e-mails that can be difficult (if not impossible) to address. Students should attempt to visit the instructors office before sending an e-mail.
24-Hour No-Questions Policy: In order to promote effective time-management practices and to discourage procrastination, students will not be allowed to ask questions concerning any projects or assignments 24 hours before the item in question is due. Students should plan and work ahead to ensure that any problems are addressed with either the instructor or teaching assistant well before scheduled submission times.
Philosophy:
CGT 353 is NOT simply learning Flash. The class is designed to give
students a comprehensive look at the area of interactive and dynamic media.
As such, students are required to do more than complete their
assignments and memorize details. Students are REQUIRED to push
their skills to the point where they gain the most they possibly
can out of the course, regardless of their previous experience.
Students will often be expected to do original analyses of their
work and that of others - their peers and recognized professionals.
Their ability to plan, evaluate, and critically analyze project
goals, guidelines, and problems to create a unique, self-generated
solution is a central activity of this course. Students will be
expected to attend class and laboratory sessions and to turn in
assigned work on time. Late work will not be accepted. Failure to do so demonstrates a lack of readiness to handle independent
work and may call for individual counseling, loss of course points,
or failure.
Outside work:
Outside work will be absolutely necessary. Students
will NOT be able to do well in this course if they work only in
regularly scheduled class sessions. Preproduction and study sketches
should be done outside of class, and generally should not be done
immediately before they are due. Preproduction work will usually
be worth 5-10% of the total project grades.
Track Option :
Due to the wide variety of experience, skills, and interests among CGT 353 students,
the class offers two basic tracks that the student may choose
from: guided and independent. The course provides
these options so that students can get the most out of the class
and partially tailor their own learning experience. After an initial
evaluation and recommendations by the instructor, each student
will choose the particular track that best suits their skills
and abilities.
Guided track students (also called beginning track) are expected to closely
follow the designated projects, although those wishing to exceed
the project parameters may do so. Grades will be assessed based
on pre-existing standards set down by the course instructor, with
a stronger emphasis on content production than with independent track
projects. Students who have little to no experience in multimedia
development will benefit the most from this track.
Independent track students (also called advanced track) are permitted to design
their own projects with the supervision of the instructor and
must exceed the guided project expectations in some way (usually
by incorporating advanced ActionScripting and other multimedia
technologies). Students in this track will be expected to submit
brief project proposals to the instructor so that specifications for the project parameters
can be finalized. Grades will be assessed based on these parameters,
with a slightly stronger emphasis on development over content. Students
who have intermediate to advanced multimedia experience will benefit
the most from this track. (IT students will still be expected to complete all readings, assignments, and other activities inherent to the class.)
Students have the option of switching tracks throughout the semester,
but NOT in the middle of a project development period. Students
must inform the instructor of their desire to change tracks before
they agree to the specifications of a particular project.
File Security and Disks:
Students are responsible for the security of their files. They should have multiple copies on multiple sources (disks,
PUCC server, jump drive) at all times. Given a faulty diskette or other media,
the instructor will assist students in attempting to recover lost
files. However, ultimately each individual is responsible for
maintaining their digital data. Loss of data, files, or other
associated items needed for a project will require that a student
recreate their work, with no exceptions.
Laptops, Pagers and Cell Phones:
It is permissible to bring a laptop (notebook, palmtop) computer
to class for the purpose of taking notes. However, it must be
used QUIETLY ... that is, no clicking, clacking, or sound effects.
If a laptop becomes a distraction to others in the class, students
will be asked to turn it off and not bring it back. Similarly,
there will be no tolerance for beeping, chirping, ringing (or
any other sound) from a pager or cell phone in class. If students
must use their cell phone for any reason, they must leave the room.
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