Course Syllabus

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Spring 2017

 

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Course Information

  • Course Name:  Fundamentals of Interactive Design
  • Course ID & Section:  DIG2500-0M01
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Semester/Year: Spring 2017
  • Location:  CB2 O206
  • Class Meeting Time: Tuesdays, 12-1:50PM
  • Open Lab hours:
    Day OTC Room Time
    Monday 111 3-10PM
    Tuesday 134 3-10PM
    Thursday 134 3-10PM
    Saturday 134 3-10PM
    Sunday 134 3-10PM
  • Course Support Specialist: Angie Hernandez
  • Course Support Specialist Hours (OTC500 Room 111): 
    • Tuesdays 5-8PM
    • Wednesdays 9AM-Noon
    • Thursdays 2-5PM

Welcome!

Of primary importance should be each student’s engagement with their work, their investment in the labor of making it, their dedication to the evolution of their own sensibility, their concern for craft and conceptual underpinnings, and their perseverance in completing individual projects while allowing each one to serve as a ground for the next. Students should be self-motivated and self-responsible to succeed in this course. Work is cumulative. Be prepared to work hard, collaborate with others, stretch boundaries, and share learning. Conceptual and technical ability will increase in proportion to one’s effort.

Course Description

Implement the foundations of interactive media including user-interface design concepts, optimization/performance issues, resources and tools. Students combine audio, video, imaging, animation, and other media formats to construct an interactive product using industry-standard software.

Course Prerequisites

The Undergraduate Catalog lists no prerequisites for this course. DIG2000 is listed as a corequisite.

Course Objectives

  • Understand human-computer interaction.
  • Examine various interactive product designs.
  • Apply effective user-interface design across platforms.
  • Utilize a variety of platforms and formats in delivery of interactive content.
  • Examine functionality, content and usability for various interactive formats.
  • Author an interactive product. 


Required Text

Book titled, The Design of Everyday Things

Medium is the message book cover

  • McLuhan, Marshall. The Medium is the Massage. Ginko Press, 1967.

Where teh action is book cover

  • Dourish, Paul.  Where the Action is.  MIT Press, 2001.
  • A web browsing device such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
  • A paper sketchbook / notebook and something to write with.
  • PDF articles distributed via Canvas.

Supplemental Texts

Course Policies: Evaluation and Grading

 

Letter Grade

Points

A

93 – 100 points

A-

90 – 92 points

B+

87 – 89 points

B

83 – 86 points

B-

80 – 82 points

C+

77 – 79 points

C

70 – 76 points

D

60-69

F

59 and below

A – doing extraordinary work technically and conceptually, breaking preconceived boundaries, participating openly and willingly in class and during critiques, spending time on assignments


B – attending class regularly, completing assignments, doing competent work technically and wrestling with concepts, pushing some boundaries

C – doing the minimum that is expected, last-minute execution of assignments, being late for class and absences

D – not completing projects or readings and multiple absences


F – zero effort

Assignment

Percentage of Grade

Readings

14%

Participation

14%

Scaffolding Assignments

14%

Large Projects (2)

29%

Exams (2)

29%

Grade Dissemination

Graded tests and materials in this course will be returned individually only by request. You can access your scores at any time using the Grade Book function of Webcourses. Please note that scores returned during the semester are unofficial grades.

Late Work Policy:

There are no make-ups for in-class writing, participation quizzes, the midterm, or the final exam. Late work is not accepted, including reading quizzes and assignments. Exceptions can only be made in extreme circumstances and will be accepted, with proper documentation, at the discretion of the instructor. Namely, accommodations will be made for students that are required to be absent while representing the University at Authorized University Events in accordance with UCF Policy # 4-401.

Extra Credit Policy:

Extra credit assignment may or may not be assigned to the class at the professor’s discretion. Therefore, always submit your assignment and be sure that it is your best work.

Readings:

There will be a reading from one of the course texts every week and an associated online reading quiz.  There is no time limit on the reading quizzes, and you can even have them open while reading the text.  However, you only have one attempt.  Pay attention to the question type as many quizzes will mix multiple choice, multiple answer, matching, and fill-in-the-blank style questions.  Be prepared to further discuss the readings in class by bringing in a question you have about the text.

Scaffolding:

Scaffolding assignments come in two types.  There are 1 point assignments graded pass / fail based on their completeness regarding the assignment requirements.  Other scaffolding assignments are 4 points and give you an opportunity for peer review. These assignments are designed to keep you on track with your larger lab projects.  The 4 point assignments all use the following rubric:

Outstanding Satisfactory Developing Unsatisfactory Missing
4 3 2 1 0
Work exceeds expectations, going above and beyond the assignment requirements. Work meets assignment requirements and contains minimal formatting / spelling / grammar errors. Work does not meet all requirements and / or contains numerous errors. Work submitted demonstrates a lack of care, effort, and comprehension of the assignment. Work was not turned in.

I will randomly select 20 submissions for each scaffolding assignment to receive more in depth feedback.

Group Work Policy:

In the event of a group project being assigned, everyone must take part in a group project. All members of a group will receive the same score; that is, the project is assessed and everyone receives this score. However, you will have an opportunity to voice concerns about other members’ participation should they arise. Once formed, groups cannot be altered or switched, except for reasons of extended hospitalization. 

Grades of "Incomplete":

The current university policy concerning incomplete grades will be followed in this course. Incomplete grades are given only in situations where unexpected emergencies prevent a student from completing the course and the remaining work can be completed the next semester. Your instructor is the final authority on whether you qualify for an incomplete. Incomplete work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester or the “I” will automatically be recorded as an “F” on your transcript.

Course Policies: Technology and Media

Webcourses:

This course is being offered as a mediated (M) course this semester, and the Canvas system will be used to post course materials. Additionally, all of your assignments and quizzes will be turned in via Canvas.  It is your responsibility to keep track of due dates via Webcourses.  The best way to contact the instructor is through Webcourses Inbox messaging.  Students can send messages with any questions and should expect to receive a response in a reasonable amount of time (1-2 business days). Before sending the message, always make sure it has no grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.  Be sure to check your notification settings as this is how the instructor will communicate with you directly, as well as through Webcourses announcements.  Check the announcements before each class.  Additionally, in modules that have a "Video:" component, be sure to watch the movie(s) before coming to class.  You can expect there to be an average of 2 hours of video tutorials, demos, lectures, content, and movies each week, this is the online portion of the mixed mode course.  Items marked "F2F:" will be conducted in our face to face class meetings.  Most modules only last one week, unless noted otherwise.

Laptop Usage:

I require you to bring laptops / smart devices to class for activities.  I strongly encourage taking notes on paper as it better facilitates the assimilation of knowledge. However, if you choose to take notes electronically be prepared to share them with the class. I recommend completing course assignments on the lab computers as they contain all the necessary software and are most similar to the system your projects will run on for grading (Mac with Chrome browser).  If you become distracted by "the internet" during class you will be asked to leave.

Classroom Devices:

Video and audio recording devices are prohibited in the lecture and lab. Use of a video or audio recording device in class can result in failing the course entirely. This includes taking photos of lecture slides.

Open Labs:

This course requires lab work utilizing specialized software and equipment. There are open lab hours throughout the week, with a monitor available to answer your questions.  The lab time specifically designated for this class is :  TBD.  Again, this is not a required lab meeting, but is the best opportunity for you to seek help and assistance with your projects.  The lab schedule is available and will be distributed and is also on the individual lab room doors.

Active Learning

This course takes advantage of active learning strategies. Do not expect to sit idly through a lecture each day. Come prepared to engage, collaborate, discuss, interact, and create.

Course Policies: Student Expectations

Disability Statement:

The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor to request accommodations. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Accessiblity Services, Ferrell Commons, 7F, Room 185, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.

Attendance Policy:

Learning is an active process therefore you are required to attend every lecture. If you don’t attend and/or you miss a class for unexcused reasons, discuss what you missed with your peers. During each class session there will be a few brief online quizzes or surveys. This is done to track your attendance, appraise your participation, and gauge your understanding of the course material in real time. These activities are the participation percentage of your final grade. Because life happens (flat tire, forgot smart device, wedding, mild sickness, dead battery) the lowest three (3) of these scores will be dropped. Absences are only excused for official university business when accompanied by a Program Verification form, or for court imposed legal obligations.  If you don’t attend and/or you miss a class for unexcused reasons, discuss what you missed with your peers. 

Professionalism Policy:

Per university policy and classroom etiquette; mobile phones, iPods, etc. must be silenced during all classroom and lab lectures. Those not heeding this rule will be asked to leave the classroom/lab immediately so as to not disrupt the learning environment. Please arrive on time for all class meetings. Students who habitually disturb the class by talking, arriving late, etc., and have been warned may suffer a reduction in their final class grade. During this class you will be asked repeatedly to critique the work of your peers and have your own work critiqued. Always be respectful when delivering criticism, and likewise do not get defensive when receiving it.  In this course we will be discussing issues which students might find offensive, embarrassing, or difficult. Students should be prepared to discuss difficult subjects in this class.

Academic Conduct Policy:

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. This includes copying code from the lab demonstrations.  Plagiarism and cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will result at least in an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate referral to the Office of Student Conduct for further action. See the UCF Golden Rule for further information. I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this University and will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. In other words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or taking them from anyone else. I will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone.

University Writing Center:


The University Writing Center (UWC) is a free resource for UCF undergraduates and graduates. At the UWC, a trained writing consultant will work individually with you on anything you're writing (in or out of class), at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the UWC website at http://www.uwc.ucf.edu, stop by MOD 608, or call 407.823.2197.

Academic Activity Requirement for Federal Financial Aid Dispersal:

As of Fall 2014, all faculty members are required to document students' academic activity at the beginning of each course. In order to document that you began this course, please complete the “Syllabus Quiz” on Canvas by the end of the first week of classes, or as soon as possible after adding the course. Failure to do so will result in a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid.

Peer Review:

This course may take advantage of the peer review feature in Canvas.  This allows you to see the work that others are doing and compare it to your own.  It's always good to see other’s perspectives and interpretations of the assignments.   It also gives you an opportunity to provide valuable feedback to your classmates.  I'm sure you will appreciate having a second set of outside eyes going over your work.  

You will typically be randomly assigned 2-3 submissions from your peers as soon as an assignment is due.  Please have the reviews done before the following class.  The reviews do not need to be multi page diatribes, a simple paragraph pointing out any errors, a strength of the submission, a weakness of the submission, and your reasoning will suffice. Some assignments will include specific questions to answer in the peer reviews.

Copyright

This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.

Third-Party Software and FERPA

During this course you might have the opportunity to use public online services and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or wiki. While some of these could be required assignments, you need not make any personally identifying information on a public site. Do not post or provide any private information about yourself or your classmates. Where appropriate you may use a pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will not require you to disclose any personally identity-sensitive information. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your instructor.

Important Dates to Remember

All dates, assignments, and elements of this syllabus are the will of the instructor and can be changed at any time. If any changes are made, students will be notified in lecture or on Canvas. Course calendar, schedule, and due dates available on canvas. Academic Calendar Available at: http://calendar.ucf.edu/2016/spring

 

Event Date
Drop/Swap Deadline: 12 January 2017
Grade Forgiveness Deadline: 22 March 2017

Holidays:
MLK Day 16 January 2017
Spring Break 13-18 March 2017
Study Day 25 April 2017
Withdrawal Deadline: 22 March 2017
Final Exam: 2 May 2017, 1-3:50PM


Religious Observances:

Students are expected to notify their instructor at minimum of a week (7 days) in advance if they intend to miss class to observe a holy day of their religious faith.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due