BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
Humanities Technology and Research Support Center
| Winter Semester 2010 9:00 - 10:20 a.m. M/W B181 JFSB |
Instructor Russell Hansen Email: Russell [under_score] Hansen [@] byu [dot] edu Phone: 422-9295 Office Hours (1163D JFSB): By appointment |
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Course Schedule
Grades
CHum 210 is one of a series of courses dealing with computer technology in the Humanities and is the first class of a two-semester sequence focusing on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) applications.
CHum 210 covers the application of computer technology to teaching in language and humanities disciplines, with emphasis on the design, authoring, and evaluation of computer-based instructional materials for lab and classroom use. Students learn the basics of application development and fundamental CAI techniques by building step-by-step projects with the instructor, then apply what they learn to an individual project of their choosing. This semester covers the powerful built-incapabilities of the Revolution development environment for interactivity, sound, graphics, color, etc. Advanced topics and multimedia applications are covered in CHum 310.
Due dates are shown on the course schedule, but are subject to change with notice. Late assignments lose 10%.
Walking Tour Stack (100 points)
Build a basic presentation stack step by step, following the example stack the instructor constructs in class.
Stack Critique (50 points)
Give a written analysis and evaluation of a simple application built with Revolution.
Individual Project (150 points)
Create an application on a topic of your choosing, applying the techniques and design principles you have learned. A written prospectus and a "peer review" evaluation are required parts of the assignment.
Assorted Assignments (10-25 points each, around 150 points total)
Comprised of activities attached to specific topics covered in the lecture. Some of these are done in the lab, some are done in class. These are intended to give practical experience using the capabilities and techniques taught in class. Some will be pieces of your larger assignments.
Fundamentals Examination (100 points)
Tests understanding of programming fundamentals and the objects, tools, commands, and capabilities of the Revolution development environment.
Final Examination (150 points)
Contains a section of detailed questions concerning the Revolution environment, but emphasizes the application of broader techniques and design principles.
Quizzes (100 points)
Learning to program is a cumulative process. It is not possible to skip some parts and expect to understand everything that comes later. Therefore I will expect that you come prepared, and that you participate. Nearly every day there will be an assigned reading (usually on line). At the beginning of each class there will be a short (5 questions) quiz covering the major points in the reading. If you are late and miss the quiz you will lose the points for that quiz. There are no makeups for missed quizzes.
Assignments are to be turned in via a class folder on a remote server. You may access the server remotely as instructed here. Once logged in you will find a folder for this course (CHum 210.) Within that folder is a folder entitled Assignment Drop. This is where you are to place all your assignments and finished exams. All assignments and exams are due before class time on the day indicated. Anything submitted after class starts is subject to the late penalty (unless appropriate prior arrangements have been made with the instructor). If you have problems accessing the CHum 210 folder, please see me so we can resolve the problem or find another method of submitting assignments.
I take roll mostly informally via student feedback. However, I do hold students responsible for the information presented in class, whether they were present or not. It is the student's responsibility to make necessary arrangements for missed lectures. The on line readings are by no means comprehensive, but rather give an overview of what will be presented in class via discussion and hands-on activities. Regular attendance contributes considerably to comprehension and mastery of course content. Weigh your choices carefully and be prepared to accept the consequences.
If you fail to attend class on the day of the midterm or the day of the final exam, you will not be allowed to take those exams unless you have made prior arrangements with me. Exceptions will be extremely rare, usually involving loss of life or limb.
As a corollary to this, it is expected of you if you do attend to contribute to the learning environment in a positive manner. Activities such as (but not limited to) instant messaging, typing e-mail, and internet browsing during the lecture are categorically forbidden. Such activities not only limit your ability to learn from the lecture, but also provide visual and aural distractions to those around you. Please be considerate.
Software (Required)
In this course we will be using a development tool called RevStudio from RunRev. We have purchased licenses of RevStudio for this course, so you do not have to purchase one. The software is available in both the Macintosh (1133 JFSB) and Windows (1131 JFSB) labs on the first floor of the JFSB, as well as in this classroom (B181 JFSB) and in the HLRC (1141 JFSB). However, anyone who has their own computer may download a free Trial Version of RevStudio for themselves. The trial version enables you to use all the features that RevStudio offers, but it is a 30-day only version. Once the 30 days are up, your downloaded version will no longer function, so you may want to delay downloading the software until later in the semester. There is also free, entry-level version called RevMedia that can be downloaded from RunRev. While RevMedia lacks some of the features we will use in the class, files created with the Media product should be fully compatible with the version we use in the labs and classroom.
Storage Device (Required)
You should have at least one, but preferably two, devices upon which you store your assignments and other digital material for this course (always keep a backup of all your work!) There are many different types of devices, the most useful of which are small and portable. USB Flash drives are recommended, but any portable USB device will do.
I have sympathy for many extenuating circumstances, but lost data due to careless storage and backup is not one of them. When working with computers it is best to be paranoid: expect to have hardware failures!
Text & Reference Books (Required)
We will have several assigned readings from The RevStudio User Guide, which is part of the RevStudio software. You may also download it as a PDF, and even print it out if you would like (all 350+pages!)
You may use the HTRSC Macintosh lab (1133 JFSB), Windows lab (1131 JSFB), or HLRC (1141 JFSB) for class homework and assignments. You are authorized to use these labs for work for this course only. If you use them for other purposes (e-mail, browsing, chatting, etc.) or for other courses (religion, geography, etc.), then your privileges may be revoked and you will have to find other means to complete your assignments. The hours for these labs are posted near their front doors.
Regarding all the lab computers you use (including the server), you are to use them solely for the purposes of this course. All activities must be in compliance with the university acceptable use policy. Any person misusing or abusing privileges or violating university policy will have all computer privileges revoked and will be referred to the Honor Code office.
All of the software you will need for this class will be available in the labs. Please note that this is copyrighted and licensed software. You have permission neither to copy it nor to use it for purposes other than those required for the course. Violators will lose lab privileges and will be referred to the Honor Code office.
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university.
Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
Sexual discrimination or harassment (including student-to-student harassment) is prohibited both by the law and by Brigham Young University policy. If you feel you are being subjected to sexual discrimination or harassment, please bring your concerns to the professor. Alternatively, you may lodge a complaint with the Equal Employment Office (D-240C ASB) or with the Honor Code Office (4440).
If you have a disability that may affect your performance in this course, you should get in touch with the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (1520 WSC). This office can evaluate your disability and assist the professor in arranging for reasonable accommodations.