Communication Technology I

Mr. Tom Martin

Fall 2001

Phone(608) 874-4414

(608) 994-3724

Office Hours

MTWThF: 8:49-9:49

11:33-12:18

(by appt. only)

Books:

Berry, Minta. Activities for Word Processing. South-Western Educational Publishing.

Cashman, Shelly. Microsoft Powerpoint 2000. Thomson Learning. Cambridge, Ma.

Cram, Carol M. Adobe Pagemaker 6.5 Projects. Thomson Learning. Cambridge, Ma.

Haynie, W.J. III. and Richard E. Peterson. The Technology of Communication. Thomson

Reding, Elizabeth Eisner. Adobe Photoshop 5.5. Thomson Learning. Cambridge, Ma.

Materials: Three ring binder, paper and pen or pencil.

Course Statement: Communication Technology I is a semester course designed to cover the areas of Audio, Visual, Graphic, Electronic, and Fiber Optic communications. This course presents a wide spectrum of activities, processes and material used in the industry. The students will be provided with a broad exposure to methods used in the communications industry, Course objectives include:

A.12.1 Contrast the increasing complexities of technology with its ease of use

A.12.2 Understand that humans are faced with moral and ethical issues because technology is enabling very significant modifications to the natural world

A.12.3 Explain why decisions regarding the use of technology are dependent on the situation, application, or perception of the group using it

A.12.4 Explore the way in which human adaptive technological systems interact with ideological and sociological systems

A.12.5 Portray how a society may not be able to exercise full control over their technological systems

A.12.6 Use accepted methods of forecasting and projecting to develop scenarios of future

technology needs and uses

A.12.7 Explain how scientific and technological research can contribute to improved quality of life and a better standard of living

B.12.1 Identify and explain the ways technological systems have evolved and will continue to evolve to satisfy human needs and desires

B.12.2 Demonstrate how systems are planned, organized, designed, built, and controlled

B.12.3 Explain how enterprises apply technological systems for generating wealth by providing goods and services

B.12.4 Illustrate how resources are essential to technological activity but that their availability and quality vary extensively throughout the world

B.12.5 Assess the impact new and improved products and services have had on the quality of life; explain how the development of new tools, materials, and processes is necessary to maintain and improve high productivity and quality

C.12.1 Implement and evaluate strategies to solve technological problems that are likely to be successful

C.12.2 Measure, collect, and analyze data in order to solve a technological problem

C.12.3 Defend solutions to technological problems and opportunities

C.12.4 Select materials and other resources for a technological design and develop practical solutions

C.12.5 Identify constraints present in a given technological process

C.12.6 Design and/or create solutions that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, demonstrate quality, have value greater than the investment, and meet a societal want or need

D.12.1 Evaluate technologies based upon various sources of information

D.12.2 Illustrate how a technology can become controversial when people think the cost of the technology is not being equally shared by those who will benefit most from the technology

D.12.3 Analyze how the values and beliefs of different people can influence their perceived risks and benefits of a given technology

D.12.4 Evaluate the relative appropriateness of a given technology by comparing the risks with the benefits or the advantages with the disadvantages

D.12.5 Describe the current challenges and project the future challenges of governing a

technology once it has become an integral part of the way people live, work, and play

D.12.6 Show how the effects of a given technology may be unacceptable under one set of

circumstances but acceptable under a different set of circumstances

A.12.1 Use common media and technology terminology and equipment

· identify and define basic on-line and telecommunications terminology or concepts (e.g., bandwidth, satellite dish, distance learning, desktop conferencing, listserv, downlink, teleconference, virtual reality)

· demonstrate proper keyboarding mechanics and touch type accurately (suggested range 30-35 wpm)

· use a camcorder, VCR, multimedia computer, or editing equipment to produce a short video program

· identify common graphic, video, and sound file formats (e.g., JPEG, GIF, MPEG, QUICKTIME, WAV)

· use desktop or video conferencing equipment and systems

A.12.2 Identify and use common media formats

· identify examples of agents, expert systems, or artificial intelligence (e.g., search engine, grammar checker, voice recognition, translators)

· describe the common organizational patterns in different types of print media

· identify and explain the use of common microforms

· demonstrate how to import and export text, graphic, and sound files

· distinguish between an individual productivity program and an integrated software program or applications suite

· edit, import, and export movie or video files

A.12.3 Use a computer and productivity software to organize and create information

· explain terminology and concepts connected with integrated software or an applications suite (e.g., tool palette, bulleted or numbered lists, macros, auto-correct, find-and-replace, stylesheets)

· use an integrated program or applications suite to complete a class assignment

· proofread and edit a document using the spell, thesaurus, and grammar checking functions of a word processing program

· manipulate graphics objects in a word processing program (e.g., select, move, modify, delete, duplicate, arrange)

· use desktop publishing and graphics software to produce page layouts in different formats (e.g., brochure, tri-fold, newsletter)

· analyze data from a database and present conclusions in a document or report

· construct a spreadsheet, enter data into cells, use mathematical functions to manipulate/process data, generate a chart or graph, and interpret the results

· use a computer and graphical organizer software to generate modifiable flow charts, project time lines, organizational charts, or calendars

A.12.4 Use a computer and communications software to access and transmit information

· choose most appropriate search engines and directories to locate specific resources on the Internet or other on-line services

· distinguish between "pull" and "push" or "broadcast" methods of acquiring information from an on-line source

· employ FTP (file transfer protocol) to retrieve and download computer files from a remote computer

· develop specific research questions or a thesis statement based on the nature, purpose, and scope of project

· conduct a preliminary search to determine if the research questions or thesis statement is clear and searchable; refine and revise if necessary

B.12.2 Develop information-seeking strategies

· identify a full range of appropriate and available information from local, national, and global sources

· determine and apply evaluative criteria to prioritizing potential sources

· pursue a variety of resources reflecting differing points of view, cultures, and disciplines

· identify and evaluate keywords, concepts, subject headings, and descriptors for each information source

· organize ideas, concepts, and issues in a manner appropriate to the subject and purpose

· develop a plan to obtain needed information using a variety of research and investigative

strategies (e.g., interviews, questionnaires, experiments, surveys)

B.12.3 Locate and access information sources

· identify the different classification systems used in local school, public and post-secondary

libraries, and resource agencies

· locate information using the classification system and catalog in use at a variety of libraries and resource agencies

· use increasingly complex organizational features of print and electronic resources such as

cumulative and cross-database indexes

· use different search strategies for bibliographic citations, abstracts, and full-text resources in electronic formats

· construct effective electronic and manual searches using keywords, phrases, Boolean logic, and limiters

· determine when to use general or specialized print and electronic reference tools

· compare, evaluate, and select appropriate Internet search engines and directories

· analyze and relate information using a variety of relational techniques (e.g.,graphic organizers, database reports, spreadsheet charts, graphs)

· organize information in systematic manner for unity, coherence, clarity, and emphasis

· compile a bibliography in a format stipulated by an accepted manual of style

B.12.6 Interpret and use information to solve the problem or answer the question

· interpret new information to formulate ideas which address the question orproblem using comparison, evaluation, inference, and generalization skills

· synthesize new ideas, evidence, and prior knowledge to address the problem or question

· draw conclusions and support them with credible evidence

B.12.7 Communicate the results of research and inquiry in an appropriate format

· determine the audience and purpose for communicating the information

· compare strengths and weaknesses of possible presentation methods and products

· select the most appropriate format for the product or presentation

· develop a product or presentation that utilizes the strengths of the medium and supports the conclusions drawn in the research effort

B.12.8 Evaluate the information product and process

· establish the criteria to be used in judging both the product (or presentation)

and the process

D.12.1 Participate productively in workgroups or other collaborative learning environments

· collaborate with others to design and develop information products and solutions

· incorporate effective group processes and shared decision-making in project development

· specify and detail workgroup goals and individual and subgroup responsibilities

· finalize workgroup strategies, resources, budget, and timeline

· allocate time for a project based on an inventory of the responsibilities of workgroup members

· complete specific projects within a timeline and budget

· critique completed projects and workgroup processes for future improvement

D.12.2 Use information, media, and technology in a responsible manner

· return all borrowed materials on time

· assess the need for different information policies and user agreements in avariety of settings (e.g., private employer, university, government agency)

· demonstrate use of the Internet and other resources consistent with acceptable use policies

· recognize that using media or technology to defame, libel, or misrepresent another person or group constitutes unacceptable behavior

· identify and define consequences of violations to the school’s policies on media and technology use

· recognize the need for privacy of certain data files or documents

D.12.3 Respect intellectual property rights

· explain the difference between copyright and copyright registration

· explain why "fair use" is permitted for educational purposes but not in "forprofit" situations

· distinguish among freeware, shareware, and commercial software

· recognize the legal consequences of plagiarism and the need for personal authenticity in their work

· explain conditions under which permission must be obtained for the use of copyrighted materials

· describe how to correspond with authors, publishers, or producers to obtain permission to use copyrighted materials in their work

D.12.4 Recognize the importance of intellectual freedom and access to information in a democratic society

· summarize how the basic principles of democracy relate to intellectual freedom

· distinguish between intellectual freedom as it relates to children versus adults

Course Requirements: There will a variety of activities which introduce the student to the world of communication. It is my goal to expose you to as much as I can in the time we have. This will include video, audio, print, and electronic communication. It will include computer work as well as out of class activities.

Grade Summary: 93 - 100 A

85 - 92 B

77 - 84 C

70 - 76 D

Below 70 F

Some grading policies include:

1) If an assigned task that is given a specific deadline is not completed by that deadline, the student or students responsible will receive a zero for that task. Exceptions will be made only in the event of an emergency, etc.

2) Unless specified by the instructor, each student should bring appropriate materials to each and every class. If not the instructor will have the right to make a deduction on the student’s daily or final evaluation.

3) Unless specified by the instructor, any student who misses a final exam time will receive a failing grade for the quarter and potentially the semester.

Course Topics: Radio Production Presentations (for FHF, etc)

Video Production(via Avid Cinema) Censorship Activity

Photography Invention activities

T-Shirts Portfolio Creation

The Journey inside a computer Web Page Creation

Brochures Letterhead

The Internet Political Posters

E-Mail Menu Creations

Articles for local Papers This Week at River Ridge

Newsletters Calendars

Animation

August 21 -23 - Syllabus Discussion, Instructor/Student Expectations; TW@RR; Ihigh;

August 27 -31 - Staff Letterhead and Business Card Project; TW@RR; Ihigh;

September 4 - 7 Staff Letterhead and Business Card Project; TW@RR; Ihigh;

September 10 - 14 Staff Letterhead and Business Card Project; TW@RR; Ihigh;

September 17 - 20 Staff Letterhead and Business Card Project; TW@RR; Ihigh;

September 22 - 28 Photography; TW@RR; Ihigh;

October 1 - 5 Photography; TW@RR; Ihigh;

October 8 -12 Photography; TW@RR; Ihigh;

October 15 - 19 Photography; TW@RR; Ihigh;

October 22 - 25 Animation; TW@RR; Ihigh;

October 29 - Nov 1 Animation; TW@RR; Ihigh;

November 5 - 9 Animation; TW@RR; Ihigh;

November 12 - 16 Software Tutorials: Adobe Photoshop; TW@RR; Ihigh;

November 19 - 21 Software Tutorials: Adobe Photoshop; TW@RR; Ihigh;

November 26 -30 Software Tutorials: Adobe Photoshop; TW@RR; Ihigh;

December 3 - 7 Software Tutorials: Adobe Pagemaker; TW@RR; Ihigh;

December 10 - 14 Software Tutorials: Adobe Pagemaker; TW@RR; Ihigh;

December 17 -20 Software Tutorials: Adobe Pagemaker; TW@RR; Ihigh;

January 2 - 4; 7 - 8 T-Shirts; TW@RR; Ihigh;

Classroom Rules:

1). Respect other people and their property.

2). Bring all necessary materials to class every day.

2). Follow Directions.

3). No foul language.

4). Obey the operating rules of each machine.

6). I have the right to make new rules as I see fit.

Subsequent punishments for violation of rules may result in detentions, suspension of shop and or computer time and as a result, a failing grade.