ref#50745 EME 6930-798 & ref#54883 EME 6930-700
Programming Languages for Education: Hyperscripting

Distance Learning Course Syllabus

Summer 2008

INSTRUCTOR

James A. White, Ph.D.

Phone: (813) 974-1629

Office: EDU 302U

Email: vbmail@coedu.usf.edu

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisite skills for EME 6930 are graduate standing, substantial computer literacy in a graphical environment, and the ability to use telecommunications.  You also must have access to a Windows environment in order to complete the activities required for the course.

RESOURCES

url for EME 6930

http://www.coedu.usf.edu/it/hyper/

Text

Authorware: An Introduction to Multimedia, by Simon Hooper, University of Minnesota, Published by Prentice Hall Engineering, Science & Math Copyright 1999, ISBN 0-13-096130-2  (Includes CD with Authorware 4 Working Model software)
 - OR -
Roberts, Nick. (1997). The Official Guide to Authorware 4: The Comprehensive Reference from the Multimedia Labs of Macromedia (Macromedia Press Series) (Paperback). ISBN 0-201-68899-9 (Includes CD with Authorware 4 Working Model software)

Note: All things considered, Hooper's and Roberts'  texts continue to be the best options of which I am aware (pun intended) for this course.  The texts are out of print and may only be available used through online or other sources.  Be sure that the copy you purchase includes the CD.  It is absolutely essential for the course.

Activities -- found on the main menu of the course site contains a list of the course activities.

Student Resource Center
  -- contains additional information that will be helpful in the course.

Communications -- is found on the main menu of the course site.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The development of multimedia computer systems gives the educator an important new tool to create innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Multimedia systems allow for the development of a range of computerized instructional environments that can enhance the learning of a wide range of educational goals. The purpose of this course is to develop individuals who understand the nature and function of multimedia authoring systems and can work with a multimedia authoring system to design and produce effective instructional software.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Compare and contrast the features of major multimedia authoring systems.

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of a multimedia authoring system

Design and produce a multimedia product which creates an effective instructional environment.
 

STUDENT ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES

EME 6930 PLE: Hyperscripting course grades are based on a set of course activities and a course project.

Course Activities

There are fourteen course activities to complete using the Authorware 4 Working Model software that is provided with the course text.  (You may also use the full version 7 if you have it, but do not use other versions of Authorware.) These are described in Course Activities found on the main menu of the course site. Selected benchmark activities (indicated on the activities page) should be submitted to the course instructor as attachments to an email message. When a course activity is received it is evaluated by the instructor. If the activity is correctly done then the student will receive a return email message from the instructor confirming completion.  For incorrect activities, the student will receive a return email message from the instructor providing feedback, with the expectation that the student will revise and resubmit the activity until it is correct.

Course Project

The course project should be a computer program that would be of use to you in your professional role. It could be an instructional program for peers or students or a program that could be used in another aspect of your work.  The project should be submitted to the course instructor as attachment(s) to an email message.

Many "B" projects and ALL "A" projects will be impossible to complete within the limitations of the Authorware 4 Working Model software, so you will need to use the Authorware 7 30-day trial version for Windows, which can be downloaded from the Adobe website or the full version of AW7 if you have it. The course project must not contain any "knowledge Objects".

Evaluation of course project

Course project of B quality

To earn a grade of B the course project must include at least 8 screens and use a majority of the ideas developed in the course activities. In addition, a B project must meet the following criteria:

  • All links working
  • Text free of spelling errors
  • Contain some custom or customized buttons *
  • Contain imported graphics *
  • Use of at least 4 different types of interaction response types *
  • Use of the framework icon *
  • Use of variables *

Course project of A quality

To earn a grade of A the course project must move beyond the criteria required for a project of B quality. This can be done in a variety of ways. In addition to meeting the criteria described for a B project an A project must meet the following criteria:

  • Use of at least 6 different types of interaction response types *
  • Use of the decision icon *
  • Contains ways of tracking and recording performance *
  • Is "shocked" and published at your USF web site (yourid.myweb.usf.edu)

Very Important

All projects should include a calculation icon located at the beginning of the program that states whether the project meets A or B criteria, then lists each asterisked (*) criterion with an explanation of how it has been satisfied in the project. (A good example of this use of a calculation icon is found in the sample Authorware program "Four Blocks" in the Student Resource Center.)  This information should also be included in the body of your email message when you submit your project.  "A" project submissions should also include the url of the "shocked" project and a copy (attachment) of the source code (the *.a.7p file.).

COURSE EVALUATION

Your course grade will be based on the following criteria:

B

Successful completion of all course activities
Course project of B quality

A

Successful completion of all course activities
Course project of A quality
 

If, in the case of unforeseen obstacles, you request an Incomplete for the course, the highest grade you will be able to receive will be a B, and you must finish during the following semester (summer semester included.) This option is open only to those who can document extenuating circumstances before grades are due for the semester.

If you decide to drop this course, please be sure to officially withdraw -- otherwise you will receive a grade (probably an F) for the course. Remember, there is no grade forgiveness at the graduate level.

Please notify the instructor within the first week if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed for this course. A letter from the Student Disability Services Office must accompany the request. Additional resource information is available through the College of Education Graduate Student Handbook.