For live class sessions, we will access our Google Meet links from the Daily Stream in Google Classroom.
Updates will be made upon return to the classroom. When that happens, I will update and reissue the syllabus to reflect any changes. Grading and Attendance policies will remain the same all year.
If you click on the images below, you can access the syllabus in different formats. All the information is included on this page and throughout the website, with links to the viewable Google Doc version. Every student can find their own digital Google Doc version under Week 1>Syllabus Assignment in Google Classroom. If you need help at any time, you can visit the Contact page on this site for my information and/or send me a message.
Google Docs - Syllabus
(Link to Open Viewable Syllabus)
Google Classroom
(Link to Classroom)
PDF File Download
(For print, download, or save)
Syllabus Signature Forms
(Forms page on website)
(CTE Course Number: 480902, Prerequisite to take the course: Introduction to Media Arts)
This course allows students to use the creative and conceptual aspects of designing and producing interactive media arts experiences and products and services. This includes reactive (sensory-based [touch, proximity, movement] devices) and interactive technologies, 3D video game animation, interface design, mobile device applications, web multimedia, social media based, augmented, and/or virtual reality.
Recommended Grade Level: 10 – 12
Recommended Credit: 1
Students will:
Begin to develop a professional portfolio reflecting their personal growth and development of a personal style.
Define digital animation identifying uses within media arts.
Identify the purpose, audience, and audience needs for a project.
Identify multimedia project content that is relevant to the project purpose and appropriate for the target audience.
Identify basic principles of multimedia project usability, readability, and accessibility.
Demonstrates effective use of flowcharts, storyboards, wireframes, and design concepts to create media elements and a project map that maintains the planned multimedia project hierarchy.
Maintain effective records of creative ideas that could include: lists, journals, notebooks, sketches, storyboards, folders or other methods of organizing ideas, writing, and research.
Write internal and external business correspondence to convey and obtain information effectively.
Assess global trends and opportunities for business ventures and products and develop concepts for a new business venture to evaluate its success potential.
Utilize research, critical thinking, planning, and documenting skills to determine a central problem or challenge to overcome.
Select conceptual considerations to provide unity and flexibility in the creation of the Media Arts projects.
Identify and apply the processes for the development and collaboration of media projects.
Plan and develop strategies for effective use of the selected media and how connections arise between individual components of the work.
Demonstrate the importance of time and self-management.
Describe the importance of collaboration and roles in a design team environment.
Identify and apply design principles and software used for interactive media.
Introduce and develop the ability to form and defend value judgements about media arts and design and to communicate design ideas.
Apply the concepts related to visual, spatial, sound, motion, interactive and temporal elements/features of digital technology and principles for their use in the creation and application of digital media-based work.
Recognize competencies with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements.
Introduce and demonstrate appropriate math concepts and principles related to video and animation.
In addition, the following objectives will also be achieved to maintain the mission of Career and Technical Education, Academies of Louisville, and Ballard High Diploma Requirements for the Visual & Performing Arts Academy:
Introduction of employability and social skills relative to the career cluster.
Applying employability skills and social skills relative to the career cluster to daily classroom practice.
Research and analyze career opportunities, participate in a job interview, and develop an employment portfolio (letter of application, resume, digital portfolio, follow-up letter)
Development of FBLA projects using a variety of software applications.
Utilization of activities of FBLA as an integral component of course content, leadership development, and service-learning.
Opportunity to participate in local, regional, and national competitions like Scholastics, Doodle for Google, The Collage, installations with documentation, and more opportunities.
Opportunity to collaborate and participate in a mentorship program designed to provide authentic project-based learning opportunities with our Business Partnerships.
Opportunity to see live demonstrations from industry professionals using industry-standard game design engines and 3D modeling programs.
Additional objectives may be added throughout the year as determined by the teacher.
Materials - I’m trying to get CTE kits ordered for all of you. If you have a sketchbook and drawing materials you can use, for now, AWESOME. I’m not asking you to buy anything just yet. If we get the kits, we’re good. When we return, I will reissue an updated syllabus to go over what you will need. Distribution for the kits is TBD, but may need to be picked up at school.
Google for Education Suite: Google Classroom, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, Sites, Drawings, and Jamboard
Microsoft Office 365: Webmail (Student Email), Word, Powerpoint, Excel (Web apps)
Interactive Media Website - Pathway info, links, forms, contact, more updates on the way
Nearpod.com - No account needed. I will generate codes to join each session.
Mozilla Developer Documents - https://developer.mozilla.org/
W3Schools - https://www.w3schools.com/
Material Design - https://material.io
Microsoft MakeCode - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/makecode
The topics below are examples of what we will cover during the first 6 weeks. There are more than six weeks of topics below though. I will update the syllabus when we approach the 2nd grading period, depending on what we covered and what seems best for class. This is what I would like to cover before we do a mobile app project.
Introductions, Course Syllabus, Expectations and Procedures
Managing Personal Health and Wellness
Digital Citizenship and Professional Online Etiquette
Internet/Technology Use and Safety
Business Partner Introductions
Career and College Explorations: Interactive Design Related
Ethics in Media Arts
Copyright and Intellectual Property in Media Arts, Gaming, Film/Entertainment
Elements and Principles of Design
Emerging Technologies
History of Media Arts, Technological Progress
Design Thinking, HCI Principles
UX/UI, Information Architecture, Visual and Interaction Design
User Research, Case Studies, Testing/Analysis
Information Technology Basics
Coding: HTML, CSS, Javascript
Based on the current situation, this is subject to change but will always align to the Career and Technical Education Program of Study standards, End-of-Program Assessment standards, Visual & Performing Arts Academy Essential Standards, and Kentucky Academic Standard Frameworks.
Website projects
Humana Mobile App Challenge
Game Design and Development projects
2D Modeling & Animation projects
3D Modeling & Animation projects
Written assignments: Test/Analysis, Reviews, User Research Reports, Persona Development, Bellringer Questions, Reflections, Self-Assessment, Resume, Letter of Application (Cover Letter), Storytelling, Storyboards
Sketches, Concept Mapping, Affinity Diagramming
Design Methodology Games and Strategies
The teacher reserves the right to change these, but this gives you an overview of the activities and projects to expect.
In order to be successful in this class, students must participate and complete assignments during course meeting times. A large portion of the assignments will be completed during class time. Alternative work will be provided for those absent during an NTI 2.0 session, so they can come prepared for the next attended session. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain good communication, advocate for their learning, and make up missed work while absent. I'm here to support you; communication is key.
I will be adopting the NTI 2.0 Addendum for this upcoming 2020-2021 year. When we return face-to-face, this policy and system will not change.
This platform will be used to finalize grades. If you ever have any questions, please contact me. Students should regularly check Infinite Campus. If you need help, let me know.
We will be utilizing the grading features in Google Classroom this year. Google Classroom features will be utilized for feedback, allows for opportunities to resubmit work or retake quizzes, and more. The Grading features will give you another set of feedback, easily accessible. However, grades will be finalized using Infinite Campus, so checking IC regularly is suggested.
Grading for this class is based on the following weighted categories and will be evenly balanced throughout a six-week grading period. There will be at least one grade entered per week.
Examples: Projects, (project or problem-based), Chapter and Unit tests, Assignments, Writing Assignments, Test/Analysis Write-Ups, IRC Exams, EOP Exams, Presentations, defenses, and other measures of student mastery.
Examples: Quizzes, Coursebooks, Assignments, Team-based Tasks/Deliverables, Bellringers, Exit Slips, Writing Assignments, Reviews, Test/Analysis Write-Ups, Presentations, Design Thinking Exercises/Games, Student self-assessment, Peer Evaluations, other forms of assessment
Student Engagement will not be assessed during this year 2020-2021. Instead of taking attendance like usual in the past, attendance will be based on participation and will be counted holistically over the course of the week. Please refer to the section below on the Attendance/Participation Policy.
The topics below are examples of what we will cover during the first 6 weeks. There are more than six weeks of topics below though. I will update the syllabus when we approach the 2nd grading period, depending on what we covered and what seems best for class. This is what I would like to cover before we do a mobile app project.
Introductions, Course Syllabus, Expectations and Procedures
Managing Personal Health and Wellness
Digital Citizenship and Professional Online Etiquette
Internet Use and Safety
Business Partner Introductions
Career Explorations
Ethics in Media Arts
Copyright and Intellectual Property in Media Arts, Gaming, Film/Entertainment
Color and Typography
Elements and Principles of Design
College programs: Animation, Game Design/Dev, Web Design/Dev, UX/UI, Emerging Technologies
History of Media Arts, Technological Progress
Design Thinking,
HCI Principles
UX/UI, Information Architecture
Visual and Interaction Design
User Research, Case Studies, Testing/Analysis
Information Technology Basics
Coding: HTML, CSS, Javascript
Based on the current situation, this is subject to change but will always align to the Career and Technical Education Program of Study standards, End-of-Program Assessment standards, Visual & Performing Arts Academy Essential Standards, and Kentucky Academic Standard Frameworks.
We will start transitioning to standards-based grading in the Interactive Media courses this upcoming 2020-2021 year. Rubrics will be assessed by the following standards-based marks. We will cover this in class, but if you have any questions, please let me know.
Standards-Based Grading Marks : 4
Performance Description
Above Standards
Scale : 90–100
Letter Grade : A
Standards-Based Grading Marks : 3
Performance Description
Meets Standards
Scale : 80-89
Letter Grade : B
Standards-Based Grading Marks : 2
Performance Description
Approaching Standards
Scale : 70–79
Letter Grade : C
Standards-Based Grading Marks : 1
Performance Description
Below Standards
Scale : 60–69
Letter Grade : D
Standards-Based Grading Marks : /
Performance Description
Substantially Below Standards
Scale : Below 60
Letter Grade : U
Attendance shall be marked differently than it has been in the past, instead attendance will be assessed holistically over the course of the week. Participation in course live sessions and assigned coursework will count towards attendance marks for the week. It is important to communicate with me if you are unable to make it to class.
During the first 6 weeks, each class meets twice for synchronous, live sessions. Work may be assigned outside of class, depending on the material, topic, and a variety of circumstances.
There will be alternative work assigned in the event you can not make it to class, so you can be prepared for your next attended session. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain good communication, advocate for their learning, and make up missed work while absent. I am available for help and support. You can view my schedule on the Interactive Media website and also contact me through the Contact page if needed.
Before Class - I will open our Google Meet sessions 10 minutes early in case anyone has questions or wants to get settled. Email, our Google Chat group, and the website are also options available.
During Class - Questions can be asked using the Google Meet chatbox or Slides Q&A feature when applicable. I will do my best to answer during the class. If I do not get to your question that day, I will make sure to reach out, or please remind me kindly.
After Class - I will try to work in time at the end of class for Q&A. You may also use email, our Google Chat group, Google Classroom comments, and/or the Interactive Media website. It is the student’s responsibility to follow-up on their question if they do not hear from me. This is good workplace practices.
Infinite Campus Messenger will be used to communicate with families on a regular basis. Brief weekly updates will be sent during my second planning period of the week. These will be general class updates to keep families informed on what is happening during class, upcoming deadlines, and any other important announcements.
If you wish to contact me earlier, you can send me a message below or email me.
You may also contact me directly through the JCPS district’s new communication tool: SchoolCNXT. Visit the Families & Community Toolkit page or SchoolCNXT website to learn more.
Unless directed otherwise, the majority of assignments and projects will be submitted using Google Classroom based on the appropriate week and associated Assignment title.
Other methods might include email, sharing Google or Microsoft documents, Google form submissions, Nearpod interactive sessions (bellringers/warm-ups, exit slips, assessments, etc.), and/or IRC/EOP exams.
Naming conventions for files, proper sharing, and permission procedures should be followed. This is modeling good technology workplace practices. Following directions and procedures is important.
You will have to fill out a quick Google form, stating the title of the assignment and reason. This form can also be used to request extensions. This system will allow students and the teacher to remain accountable for late work and extension requests.
A confirmation message will be sent through Infinite Campus Messenger to the student and family. I will not accept late work without this form of submission and agreement made between student and family. This will allow you to have multiple modes of documentation of this agreement and is an updated policy to preserve the students’ best interest. This form can easily be found in Google Classroom under Material and on the Forms page of the Interactive Media website.
Link to submit a Extension Request/Late Work Form
Missing work will be marked as “Missing” in Infinite Campus and is equivalent to a zero until turned in. It also reflects missing in Google Classroom. I have to have actual documentation of a deliverable to consider the work not missing. Just a reminder, Infinite Campus will be the platform that shows final and most accurate grading information.
Cheating and Plagiarism are similar to copyright violations, they are not acceptable. The appropriate flag will be added to Infinite Campus and families will be notified. Talking during a quiz or test is considered cheating. If serious enough, the infraction will be brought to the school administration’s attention and proper channels will take place based on their recommendations.
Recording of any kind during live sessions or in our classroom is a safety and privacy issue. It is possible to violate laws without proper permission and could create unsafe situations for our class community. It is also against school policy. Please ask if you need to verify this information at any time. This includes posting on social media channels, websites, or other e-communication sources unless it relates to a project or assignment and approved by the teacher. Protecting every student's privacy and safety is always my first concern. Please see Code of Conduct #1.