VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

While working remotely and/or hybrid in a Visual Communications course, our goals for this semester are a little different. We’re mixing it up in order to meet safety guidelines—and to make all of our time together worthwhile.

Central to our course is the concept that the best camera is the one you have with you. Add to that, the best digital tools we can use are the ones that we can all access, equitably. This course has historically been centered around using DSLR cameras, the Adobe Creative Suite, and FinalCut Pro. However, this semester, we will focus on learning video and photography principles using smartphones and Chromebook-friendly apps until we can again share our studio materials.

Because video production is a collaborative process—and much more fun to do in-person—we’re going to begin our course with photography principles and digital tools that we can use individually from home. As our course progresses and the school district evaluates future hybrid and/or in-person instruction, we will also evaluate how we will approach introducing video this semester.

Here are our central goals for the fall 2020 semester:

1. Exercise for your eyes. Photography is all about looking and seeing; about searching for the right combination of light, form, and gesture at the right moment in time. The more you look, the more you see—and there are ways to learn to see in terms of what might make a good photograph. We’ll learn about composition, design elements, color, and lighting to strengthen how you see in a creative way.

2. License to investigate and take healthy risks. No matter where you find yourself, your camera should be close at hand. Expect to be exploring, constantly. Even subjects and locations that are not picturesque or beautiful in a traditional sense can reveal some unexpected intrigue when you’re looking for a picture.

3. Context. In just about 200 years, the camera has developed from a box that took blurry photos to the high-tech mini computers you carry in your pocket today. We’re going to explore the context, purpose, and practice of photography and video/film. How and why did we create media when it was a lot more complicated to take photos? How and why do we create media now?

4. Communication. In 2020, 70% of companies invest in content marketing, which includes video, visual images, and visual storytelling techniques. We’ll learn visual communication strategies that can help you to communicate your ideas in any areas of interest. How can we use photo and video tools to tell the story of this unusual and historic time?

• Visual Communications students are required to have a way to take photos and video at home for assignments. Most of our remote and hybrid instruction will focus on smartphone applications. There is no need to purchase a DSLR or point-and-shoot camera unless the student and parent/guardian so desire. A smartphone is sufficient.

• Students will be assigned a technology survey during the first week of class. If you do not have a smartphone you can use for photography, or access to another camera, you must let the instructor know. We have some limited options to lend out equipment if necessary.

• You’ll need a notebook and a pencil/pen. It won’t be turned in. It’s just for ideas and class opener activities.

• It will be necessary for Visual Communications students to upload photos and videos to their computers/Chromebooks. Make sure you have any necessary cords, cables, attachments, or apps (such as Google Classroom and Google Drive) for uploading images to the computer.

• Students will use some free apps for editing that are available on the Chromebook and smartphones. Watch for a parent permission form for these apps during the first week of the course. We will not be using the Adobe Creative Suite or FinalCut Pro during remote or hybrid learning, as these applications are not available on district-provided Chromebooks. If you have access to Adobe Creative Suite on a personal computer, your instructor can provide some links to self-directed tutorials that will help you to learn more about these programs. If we return to full in-person school, we will revisit this change to our standard curriculum.

• Students will receive a smartphone tripod, a lanyard microphone, and a small kit of resources at a designated pick-up time early in the semester. Watch Google Classroom and your email for details. Our supplies may not yet be available at the scheduled book pick-up. Tripods and microphones should be returned at the end of the course.

• Per course description, a $25 lab fee is required for this course. The lab fee covers equipment maintenance, hardware and software investments, learning kits, equipment that is lent to students, and a portfolio of 10-20 photos that we will print on request at the end of the course. Lab fee instructions will be posted on Classroom.

All Zoom links provided on our Google Classroom page.

Block 4: 1:10-2:10 p.m., M, T, Th, F via Zoom

Asynchronous learning on Wednesdays

Look for a weekly schedule posted to Classroom on Sunday night each week. The framework will include goals for the week and a general overview of our activities.

Our grading model for this course in online or hybrid learning is simple.

40% | Projects: Includes the weekly shooting assignment and the weekly practice assignment.

40% | Homework: Includes brief written, audio/video, and/or photographic responses that may be part of our day-to-day learning in class. Assessed once or twice weekly based on summary of responses.

20% | Class Participation: Includes critique participation, as well as daily in-class participation via attendance, active listening, chats, and discussions. You can expect that class participation will generally be assessed twice per week.

All assignments are assessed on a mastery-based model with a four-point scale:

• Advanced/Exceeding (4): Student thoroughly achieved the standard, exceeding the expectations.

• Proficient/Meeting (3): Student met the requirement at the expected level.

• Approaching (2): Partially meets standard, some parts incomplete, missing or lacking detail.

• Still Developing (1): Minimally meets, lacks completion, missing elements, or did not follow directions.

• Does Not Meet (0): Student did not submit an assignment and/or didn’t follow directions. There is no evidence of meeting the standard.

You can choose to re-do any PROJECT or HOMEWORK assignment that is assessed lower than a (3) at any point before the end of Q1 for Q1 assignments, and any point before finals begin for Q2 assignments. Project re-dos receive a maximum score of 3. If you opt to re-do an assignment, complete the LATE ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION FORM on Google Classroom to make sure your instructor sees and re-assesses your work.

NOTE: Our grading system currently includes 10% of the overall semester grade calculated based on a final project. We will evaluate the status of the final project based on how our course and the overall educational climate progresses.

IMPORTANT: Assignments are submitted, collected, and offered feedback on Google Classroom, but scores are recorded in PowerSchool. Please check both sites regularly!

FROM STRATH HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL

Remember, the Zoom meeting is the classroom during virtual learning. Your conduct and participation in the Zoom meeting follows the expectations of the in-person classroom.

Online learning is most effective if we can interact “face to face.” When your camera is turned on:

• Setting: Position yourself in front of a backdrop where you can avoid distractions. If light is coming from behind you, it will wash out your image.

• Appropriate attire is expected.

• Mute your audio if you are not speaking. Background sounds are distracting.

You must use your real FIRST AND LAST name to be admitted from the waiting room into the Zoom.

Be on time. Try to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start of your Zoom session.

School attendance will be reported based on your presence in synchronous sessions. If you miss a session, you are responsible for checking in with your teacher for makeup work.

Bring all required materials to your workspace prior to the start of your meeting. You may need a physical notebook, writing implement, course text, etc.

Teachers may record Zoom sessions.

Unauthorized recording or photography during any Zoom session is a violation of the district’s acceptable use policy.

FOR OUR CLASSES

We will confirm your attendance and participation with a question in the chat at the beginning and ending of class. If you do not respond, you may be marked absent—so make sure you chime in! Your instructor cannot see every class member on screen at once.

Stay focused. Ask and answer questions. Listen with your eyes, ears, and body.

Chat responsibly. Use the chat for questions and ideas about our course content. Be respectful of your classmates, your teacher, and yourself.

Do what you need to learn. Snacks are okay. Pets are welcome. “I just woke up” is okay. You’re sharing your home with us, and it’s appreciated. We will all show each other grace.

Please be patient. We’re all in new, uncharted, and historic territory when it comes to teaching and learning online. Your instructor will be seeking your feedback often, looking for ways that we might improve this experience for all of us. Like any educational experience, we will get out of this what we put into it. Your instructor is game to go ‘all in’ to try to make this experience supportive, educational, and fun. How about you?

FROM THE STUDENT HANDBOOK

We believe that all members of our school community should strive to act in an honorable way at all times. We should be judged on the basis of our own work and are accountable for our actions. Collaboration, while encouraged, does not give us the right to plagiarize each other’s work. Contributions from others must be properly credited. A standard of trust for the completion of individual work is expected. In our school community, we value effort, learning, and the sharing of knowledge. We foster an environment of integrity, which prepares us for future academic work through holding ourselves accountable for our actions.

Strath Haven High School students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. Students who are found to have engaged in any violation of academic integrity will receive the following consequences:

1. Student will receive a zero as a grade on the specific assignment.

2. Guidance counselor will be notified.

3. Teacher will contact the parent/guardian to notify them of the offense.

Please consult the student handbook for more details on academic integrity. In visual communications classes, previous academic integrity concerns related to submitting images for assignments that are not a student’s personal work, or copying from others’ written or artistic work without credit.

RESPECTING ONLINE MATERIALS & PROCESS

An online or hybrid learning course is new territory for most of us, but fortunately some best practices for creating a trusting class environment have already been established by other educators and students. So, this is important: Course materials (videos, audio or video documentation of class sessions, chat transcripts, assignments, resources, etc) are for use in this course only. You may not upload them to external sites, share with students outside of this course, or post them for public commentary without my advance permission. Please discuss with me if you have any questions about this policy. Unauthorized recording or photography during any Zoom session is a violation of the district’s acceptable use policy.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

All members of the school community are expected to be respectful to each other. Negative comments about anyone’s race, nationality, religion, physical appearance or ability, intellectual capability, gender identity, sexual orientation, work ethic, or character are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Students are encouraged to discuss any concerns with an adult in the school.

With just about 18 weeks in our class, below is a loose summary of what we’ll be covering. This schedule is very flexible and subject to change based on the status of our school plans. We also have room for detours based on student interest.

1 | Intro to Class

2 | Introduction to Weekly Practice

3 | Shadows & Light / Documenting History

4 | Color Theory 101 / Photo History 101

5 | Composition Part 1

6 | Composition Part 2

7 | Composition Part 3

8 | Photojournalism Introduction

9 | Caption Writing & Storytelling

10 | Spark Graphics

11 | Video Intro / Tutorials

12 | WALLDO Principles

13 | Video Interviews with B-Roll

14 | Creative Video Storytelling Part 1

15 | Creative Video Storytelling Part 2

16-18 | Final Project Sequence

In any arts course, we try to find frequent opportunities to share student work. Art takes on new life when it is displayed outside the classroom! When we display work, we give audiences a chance to learn from our artistic vision.

Your work may be displayed in various locations in Strath Haven High School, and/or on the @MediaLab223 Instagram account. School event photography may be shared with student publications, where every effort will be made to credit student work fully if published. Work for public display is always labeled with the name of the student artist. You may be assigned to participate in displaying our own class’s work, or to respond to other artwork displayed in the community.

If you would rather that your work is not displayed, please speak individually with your instructor,