Instructor:   David Winegar david.winegar@hkol.fi

Scope

This course explores the practical uses of multimedia in helping to improve the user interface and in creating compelling content.

Goals

The student will be able to produce multimedia content for the Web or for CD-ROMs via the use of Microsoft Agent   Technology, Macromedia Flash, Real Producer, and MPEG  authoring systems.   Along the way, the student will gain an understanding of how multimedia can be used to assist and engage the user.

Methods of Instruction

This is a hands on class and most of the instruction will take place as the student is using the software to create his/her own multimedia content. 

As this is an introductory only course, the level of proficiency developed in any one of the applications taught will largely depend on the student's interest.  It is not expected that students will be entirely proficient in these programs, but that they will have a general understanding of how they work, what is possible, and where to find additional material to continue their learning.

Expectations

Computer work, particularly for multimedia, is very labor intensive and time consumptive. This course will demand a strong commitment to much work done outside of the class time, as well as participation and attention within class presentations. Learning digital technology uses your short-term memory; what you learn in class needs to be practiced soon outside of classtime in order to be embedded into your long-term memory. Don't wait until you have forgotten how to do something. I probably will not have time to teach it to you twice, and there will definitely not be time to teach each student each technical increment on an individual basis. Because of this, you should be prepared to focus and learn as much as possible within the group situation.It is also a very good idea to keep an ongoing notebook for your ideas and technical information, which will provide you with reference and reinforcement.

Although you will not be expected in one semester to `master' all of this information and software, your level of proficiency (and your credit) will be directly related not only to your active class participation, but to work done beyond classtime and to frequent reference to the required text and manuals. Active class participation means being present, prepared, and alert to learning new information and asking questions. Missing material and demonstrations presented in class will be difficult or impossible to make up, so attendance is essential to doing well. Specific presentations of technical material will be scheduled according to my assessment of class progress and needs

Rather than using vast quantities of paper and copy costs and time, much of the information, as well as demonstrations, examples, and scripts, will be available online through my web site at:

http://www.davidwinegar.com

It will be the student's responsibility to read, research, and print out this information as necessary. Other information, software, electronic manuals, etc. are available on the computers--see each individual software's help section for additional tutorials and program help.

This is a serious and difficult computer course intended for committed students. Credit will be based upon timely completion and quality of work as evidence of learning the course materials. Excessive lateness, inattentiveness, or lack of participation will erode the "grade". Three unexcused absences can result in failure. I will meet briefly with each student at a mid-course point to establish a progress evaluation, and to discuss potential problems.

Outline

This course will be divided as follows:

1. Introduction, create a tripod Web site, begin development with MS Agent.
2. Continue with MS Agent and produce an introduction to the student's personal Web site.
3. Image producing and editing.
4. Introduction to Flash--what is it and how to use it.
5. Begin/continue work with Flash to develop a multimedia experience on the student's Web site including sound, animation, and user interaction.
6. Sound and Advanced Flash concepts.
7. Converting Flash content for the Web and optimization.
8. Working with sound and video.
9. MPEG technology converting and sampling.
10. Steaming MPEGs and creating your own Internet Radio Station.
11. Realvideo and Codecs.
12. Web Conferencing with NetMeeting and IQC

Software Used in Class

• MS Agent core and speech recognition
• MASH Agent Authoring System
• Paint Shop Pro, Corel PhotoPaint, ImageStyler
• Macromedia Flash
• Macromedia Aftershock
• Real Encoder and Real Player G2
• Win Amp
• AudioGrabber
• MP3Spy
• NetMeeting
• IQC

Evaluation

Other than class attendance and participation the only other form of evaluation we will have for this class is the final project. 

For the final project, the student will be expected to complete a multimedia web site to serve as an electronic CV.  On this site will be all of the normal entries for a CV, but the content will be in multimedia form, using MS agent, Macromedia Flash, sound and graphics programs.