Intermediate/Advanced
Occupational Ed or Elective: 9, 10, 11, and 12
Graduation requirement: (.5 credit)
Prerequisite: Introduction to Communication Arts
Length of class: One semester, repeatable
Room: F1
Contract
At the beginning of the trimester you will draft a detailed contract describing the projects you will complete during the term. Constructed into this contract will be a time line to guide you and a rating system that you and I establish to assess your progress. Many of you have heard me say it this way, "you create the yard stick that I use to measure your work by." Submit a copy of the contract to me by the end of the first week of class.
For the rest of the trimester you will work independently or in groups on projects. For groups, each individual will need to document in their own contract their specific involvement on the project.
Every other Friday you will submit a project for evaluation. There will be five projects total and the final project will be shared with the rest of the class during the last week of the trimester. Each one of these projects will be worth 15 points (total of five). If you decide to work on larger projects, break them into segments that can be evaluated within the two week schedule. I will post a calendar near my desk with all of the trimester project due dates.
You can make changes to your contract at any time. Just make the changes and submit the revised copy to me. Any credit you earned before the contract change will remain.
In summary you will compose a contract that allows you the freedom to create multimedia, explore and share new ideas and enhance your communication opportunities.
Leadership
Create a learning resource based on skills developed during term
Leadership can be a recipe, a "how-to" guide for a simple procedure that you know and enjoy. Document the process in clear well defined steps. I will publish it for other students to share. Finally, I want you to demonstrate the procedure to the class.
- Web Page(s)
- Video presentations
- Flash Presentation
- Slide shows
- Assist a beginning student
- Design a CD booklet
- Special effects - any program
- Design a tri-fold pamphlet
- Photography Portfolio
- Studio Lighting Project
Program Goals
This class is based on competency and "world of work" characteristics. Students must work within an acceptable level of quality and accomplishment to be considered competent with the skills developed. Projects will not be accepted unless they meet specific standards of quality. Support is given to meet these standards; quality process is modeled, benchmarks are set and numerous examples given of competent quality work. The goal of this class is to develop life long learning skills in addition to the related technical skills.
Remember that "We are smarter than me". Use each other as resources for knowledge. We all have something to offer the class and your unique perspective of the work can help others better understand the material. It is my hope that we create a learning community that shares freely. Lastly, remember to listen to and show respect for the views of others and to criticize ideas, not people.
Attendance and Effort
Attendance and effort will weight your grade if you are between grading levels. Example: You have an "A-" and have been to all of the classes and have been on task for the trimester. Your grade could be raised to an "A".
Working in groups is encouraged
Teams will be limited to no more than three individuals. Each individual will complete a contract detailing who will be responsible for each component of the project.
Final Grades
Your final grade will be determined by a percentage of the total possible points offered. "A" students will complete all assignments with 90% or higher of the total possible points. "B" students will complete a minimum of 80% of the work. "C" students will complete a minimum of 70% of the total possible project work.
If a student does not complete at least 70% of the class work during the trimester an incomplete will be submitted in place of a grade. After the trimester is over students will have two weeks to complete the required work before the incomplete converts to a failing grade.
In closing I quote Orson Welles,