Grading
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 it in a flurry of activity at the end.
Grades will be determined as follows:
| 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
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.
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.
C = signifies the level of performance or accomplishment expected of a student at UHM. 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. 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. A grade of C carries no negative reflection on either the student or the instructor. It is not a penalty grade – it is the norm.
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 = work which is unsatisfactory and unworthy of course credit towards the degree.
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 your grade, unexcused absences can, and will, lower it. You are allowed three unexcused absences. From the 4th absence on, your overall class grade will be lowered one letter grade per absence.
You are expected to arrive promptly at the beginning of all class sessions. Frequent lateness disrupts the class and will result in a lower grade, regardless of other levels of individual performance.
You are responsible for any materials missed due to tardiness or absences.
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.
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.
Pop Quizzes
Pop quizzes will be given throughout the semester.
Mini Projects
Throughout the semester a series of mini projects will be assigned 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 16th (sec. 1) & Thursday October 11th (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!Site maps & Comps
Site maps are due by the beginning of class on Thursday, October 4th (sec. 1 & 2) and site comps are due by the beginning of class on Thursday, October 30th (sec. 1 & 2). Site maps and comps must be submitted in paper form.
For details on both the site map and comp assignments please visit the major project details page.
Final Projects
The final project can be either an individual or a two-person team effort but more will be expected from teams than from individuals.
All students will create a small corporate / organizational web site produced largely from raw materials (images and text) provided by the instructor.
Special arrangements can be made for another final project topic — please see the instructor for permission no later than Tuesday September 25th if you want to pursue this path.
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 and will be presented on December 6th (section 1) or December 4th (section 2) – 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.
Details
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