Grading

Grades in Communication 337 are “additive,” not “subtractive”—each student earns and accumulates points or credits throughout the semester that add up to the final grade.

Students should expect to receive a final grade based on the consistency of their performance throughout the semester. Students should not expect to miss assignments, deadlines, or otherwise under-perform in the first part of the semester and attempt to overcome these deficiencies in a flurry of activity at the end.

Students should also keep in mind that we are graded not on what we already know, but on what we learn. Even the most accomplished web designer or scholar can’t expect an A or B without a consistent and continual growth and improvement in knowledge, skills, and critical thinking.

Grade Calculation

Classroom and Lab Participation	15%
Mini Projects & Quizzes	20%
Mid-term Examination	25%
Final Project	40%

Final grade: 100–90%=A; 89–80%=B; 79–70%=C; 69–60%=D; 59–0%=F

Communication 337 grades defined:

C The grade of C signifies the level of performance or accomplishment expected of a university student in the state’s premier and nationally ranked institution of higher learning. A grade of C recognizes that the student met the expectations of the course: regular attendance, completion of all assignments, tests and exams, meeting all deadlines, and participation in all class activities. A grade of C rewards the academic behavior and performance expected of a UHM student. The student earning a C has grasped the basic concepts of the course and can apply them with adequate skill to assignments and/or projects. The student is able to accept feedback in the direction and correction of her/his work and incorporate it in her/his learning to demonstrate improvement. In courses involving group projects, the student offered solid and adequate support and contributions to the group’s outcome. A course where the common grade is C carries no negative reflection on either the students or the instructor. It is not a penalty grade—it is the norm. A grade of C (NOT C-) is required to continue to Communication 437.

B The grade of B signifies an increased level of effort AND performance by the student. The student earning a B has not only met expectations of student performance (attendance, assignments, etc.), but has exceeded many in significant, measurable ways. The student has consistently improved throughout the semester as demonstrated by increased quality and quantity of work reflected in assignments, projects, tests, exams, participation, etc. The student’s work requires some direction and correction, but she/he can then exercise independence in taking it to higher levels and improved outcomes. In the case of group projects, the student was able to assume full responsibility, often assuming multiple roles and duties, to making significant contributions to the group’s success. There is no “B for effort” alone. It is not a reward for simply “trying hard.” The grade of B is NOT “the new C.”

A The grade of A signifies the highest level of performance and accomplishment, exceeding ALL expected course outcomes. The student earning an A has taken responsibility for her/his learning, independently accumulating knowledge and improving skills beyond the classroom. The A student’s work requires minimal direction and correction and results in outcomes that can serve as a model of student achievement for the course. In the case of group projects, the student has exercised leadership, often assisting others in realizing their full potential to contribute to the group’s success.

D The student has performed below the expectations of the course. Many factors can contribute to this minimal passing grade including poor attendance, poor performance in assignments, projects, tests and exams, lack of participation and cooperation with others. Any behavior that interferes with the learning of others, including frequent lateness, class disruptions, and lack of contributions to group projects, can result in a grade of D regardless of other levels of individual performance.

F The student has not completed a sufficient level of quantity or quality of work to earn a passing grade. The student earning an F has not met a significant number of the course expectations.

Any incident of academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, can result in an automatic D or F.

Attendance

Although attending all classes will not raise a student’s grade, unexcused absences can, and will, lower it. A student is allowed three unexcused absences. From the 4th absence on, the student’s overall class grade will be lowered one letter grade per absence.

Students are expected to arrive promptly at the beginning of all class sessions. Frequent lateness disrupts the class and will result in a lower grade.

Students are responsible for any materials missed due to tardiness or absences.

Absences may be excused for medical (with physician’s note) or other emergency reasons. The “excuse” approval judgment is at the discretion of the instructor.
If, for whatever reason, you can’t attend a class, please contact the instructor (colin@hawaii.edu / 956-3360) before the class.

Readings, assignments, and projects are due at the beginning of the class on their respective due dates. Late submissions will be lowered one grade per day late.

Pop Quizzes

Pop quizzes will be given throughout the semester.

Mini Projects

A series of mini projects will be assigned throughout the semester to individuals and to small groups of students to allow them to demonstrate proficiency and to explore multimedia issues on a more personal level.

Mid-Term Examination

The mid-term examination—Tuesday October 21st (sec. 1) & Thursday October 16th (sec. 2)—will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions based on the materials covered in readings, class discussions, and lab sessions to date. There will be no make-up exams offered, and no study guide provided, so take good notes!

Final Project Proposal

For their final project students have the option of creating a web site based on materials supplied by the instructor or of creating a site based on their own self-generated materials. Students can work alone or as a member of a 2-person, self-selected team.

However, before beginning their final project, all students must clear their proposed topic with the instructor.

This project proposal should describe the project’s subject, purpose, goals, and team members, and is due, in printed form, no later than Thursday, September 18th. Absolutely no extensions.

For details of the project’s scope please refer to the Final Project section below.

The project proposal represents the 1st major milestone that marks progress toward the final project.

Site map

The site map represents the 2nd major project milestone.

Site maps are due on Thursday, October 2nd (sec. 1 & 2).

The site map for your final project should account for all the pages that would be included if you had sufficient resources to build out an entire site instead of the 7 (or more) pages you’ll actually create. That is, the site map should reflect an ideal site, not necessarily the site you’ll create.

If you use the instructor supplied materials please be aware that they have not been pre-organized or broken down into logical units for you—that is one of the tasks you will need to perform before you can create your site map.

You can refer to the online lecture materials to see examples of acceptable and unacceptable site maps or you can visit the PBS web developer’s site at http://www.pbs.org/remote.control/resources/best_practices/bp_adaptivepath.html to see other examples.

Site maps must be submitted in printed form (i.e., not electronic and not hand drawn).

Design Comprehensives (Comps)

Design comprehensives, often referred to as “comps,” represent the 3rd major project milestone.

The final project design comps are due on Tuesday, October 30th (sec. 1 & 2).

Conduct a web search on the term “web site comps” to see many examples of design comprehensives or ask the instructor for other examples. You can also view the project specifications pdf file distributed in class for more details on and requirements for your design comps.

Comps must be submitted in printed form (i.e., not electronic and not hand drawn).

As with other class projects, the site map and comps should represent your best efforts and should demonstrate that you have given a reasonable amount of time, thought, and consideration to their design and execution. Last-minute, poorly conceived, or badly executed work will receive appropriate credit.

Final Project

The final project can be either an individual or a two-person team effort but more will be expected from teams than from individuals.

Students who choose to work alone will create seven (7) or more web pages including a home page, at least three second-level pages, and at least two third-level pages.

Students can instead work as part of a two-person team but will need to create a minimum of fourteen (14) pages including a home page, at least four second-level pages, and at least three third-level pages.

All projects, either individual or team, are due for presentation on the dates indicated in the class schedule. The order of presentation will be determined by random selection.

The final projects are due at the beginning of their respective classes and will be presented on December 11th (section 1) and December 9th (section 2). Absolutely no extensions.

Designs should demonstrate an overall visual concept, intuitive navigation scheme, and high quality of execution. For additional tips and requirements regarding the final project please see this page for flash-based presentation or this page for a pdf version of the presentation.

Evaluation Criteria

Creativity
Creative, unique, innovative
Design / Functionality
Achieves design goals, user-centered, quality of execution
Theme and Content
Consistent graphic identity scheme, effective use of space and/or movement, content fits design
Technical Achievement
Effective use of different media types, promotes user interactivity, functional stability
Professional Quality
No untitled pages, broken links, missing alt tags, poorly named images, etc.