Grading

Grading
All weekly projects are "turned in" when they are posted to your web site (exceptions of course are written proposals). Written proposals are due at the beginning of class in the appropriate format. The three major projects will have due dates and times listed on the class schedule. No credit will be given for late assignments.
Grade records will be maintained using Oncourse. Understand that Oncourse is used for reporting scores on individual assignments; NOT official final grades.

Web site journal (10@2 points/10%)
Every designer studies the ideas and creations of others. You will maintain an online journal of the flash-based web sites you visit. Nearly every week you must make an entry with a written critique of one web site you've visited that week. Site critiques should consist of at least 3 to 4 paragraphs and touch on the topics we've covered in class throughout the semester. Journal entries will be posted to your T361 site and must be turned in by 10PM.

Quizzes (10@2 points/10%)
Weekly quizzes will cover material from the previous week's class readings and lecture topics.

Weekly design assignments (10@2 points/10%)
Various topics and techniques involving Flash and transmedia design
Weekly design assignments must be posted by 10PM Thursday night. No passing grade will be given if all design assignments are not completed and handed in. Late design assignments will be checked off at no credit.

Participation (20 points/10%)
Participation is essential in this class. Your participation goes far beyond attendance. It is a combination of your involvement in daily discussions, in-class critiques, and your overall effort in the class.

Practical Exam (30 points/15%)
At mid-term there will be a practical exam that addresses basic Flash skills and techniques.

Major projects (3@30 points/15% each)
There are three major projects that you will complete this semester:
Project 1: Title credits animation
Project 2: Transmedia project
Project 3: Open topic; all projects must be approved before you can begin work

Every project must begin with a written proposal. Proposals will have the following components:

One full page (minimum) written description of the project: what it is, who it's for, and how you plan to do it.
Storyboards that outline the narrative or represent the design of each page (or screen) in your project
Information architecture diagram that shows the interactive path possibilities

The written portion of your proposals should be word-processed. Storyboards should be sketched on paper in color or black & white. Architecture diagrams may be done on the computer or by hand.

Grading
At any point during the semester you can calculate your grade by dividing the number of points you've earned by the number of possible points. Then, multiply that number by 100 to get your grade percentage. For instance if we've done one 5 point quiz and one 20 point critique the possible points are 25. If you scored 4 and 19 respectively, your total points are 23. Now, do the math: 23/25 = .92 * 100 = 92% You have earned an A-.

Constructive classroom involvement will be used to nudge a grade either up or down. For example, C+ to B- or A- to B+. Constructive classroom involvement includes attendance, constructive discussion, helping other students, and volunteering for demonstrations. Non-constructive involvement is anything which adversely disrupts the labs and/or non-attendance. This specifically includes working on class computers during times when the instructor is lecturing or students are making presentations. Students who insist on being disrespectful in this manner will have their grades lowered. The nudge is completely subjective and will only be used in borderline situations unless involvement is perceived to be non-constructive in which case the grade will automatically move downward. The bottom line: be respectful and do good work.

The following grade descriptions have been adapted from the grade definitions defined by student and faculty members of the Committee on Improvement of Instruction.

Grade	Percentage	Description
A+	100	Amazing performance; rarely ever happens.
A	96-100	Superior performance; student work goes far above and beyond requirements of the course; demonstrates a command of course material through an innovative and creative application of concepts; far exceeds course expectations.
A-	91-95	Excellent performance; student work goes far above and beyond requirements of the course; demonstrates a command of course material through an innovative and creative application of concepts.
B+	88-90	Very good performance; student work meets requirements and demonstrates creative or thoughtful application of course material; exceeds course expectations.
B	84-87	Solid work; student performance meets requirements and demonstrates a good understanding of course material.
B-	81-83	Above average; work that meets requirements and demonstrates better than average understanding of course material.
C+	78-80	Work that meets requirements and shows promise.
C	74-77	Work that meets all basic requirements.
C-	71-73	Work that meets requirements but is not especially polished or thoughtful.
D+	68-70	Below average work.
D	64-67	Below average work.
D-	60-63	Below average work.
F	< 60	Failing.