Q: How will the class be conducted?
A: This a hybrid class with both online and in-person instruction and/or lab time. The class will largely use the 'flipped' classroom approach in which the instruction is provided online with short lectures and lab support provided by the instructor in person on Thursdays. This class traditionally meets for 4 hours each week. But, we will meet in person for only two of those hours and the rest of our instruction and lab activiteis will be conducted online.

This class website, located at http://karlcleveland.com/mat165, is the primary source of content and resources for the class. Bookmark it. It will have links to everything else. Class assignments, instructional videos, support materials, links and resources, sites of inspiration, and recommended reading will be posted to the class website each week. Class conversations (Q&A, discussions, critiques, and more) will be conducted within the Canvas learning management system, where you will also find your grades.

Q: How do I find out what I should be doing in the class?
A: Review the tasks listed in the schedule section of the class website. The tasks include instructions about what to do and links to resources and content. New tasks will be added each week. You are responsible for completing each of the tasks listed (unless it is listed as a "recommended" or "optional" task).

Q: How often do I need to check the class websites? When will new material be posted and when are projects and exercises due?
A: I will run this class from Tuesday to Tuesday (given that we meet on Tuesdays). New tasks and course material will be added to the class website on a weekly basis (ie. weekly modules will be added). Updates to the course website will typically occur by or before class each Tuesday and will sometimes include work that will be due the following week. Most projects and exercises will be due on Tuesdays (there may be some exceptions, and some Friday deadlines, so pay attention to the listed due dates). All work is due before class (if due on a Tuesday) or before midnight (by 11:59 p.m.) on the date that it is due. To keep up with the class schedule, you will need to check the class website frequently.

Q: Is the class a lot of work?
A: Yes, there is a fair amount of work. You’ll need to be dedicated to the class, check in frequently with the class material, and try not to procrastinate.

Q: Are there any tests or quizzes in the class?
A: No. There are no quizzes. This class is project-based and you will demonstrate your knowledge through the completion of class assignments and projects.

Q: What software is needed for the course and what version of the software will we need?
A: FIgma (free for students), WordPress (provided), Photoshop CC, and Dreamweaver CC (or your favorite code editor, such as Brackets or Visual Studio Code) are the primary softwares tool that we will use in the class. Adobe is continuously updating its software. The latest version is preferred. If you have an older version, that might be okay but you will miss out on a couple cool new features that the later CC versions have to offer and may have some layout problems/inconsistencies. My lecture material and demos will be done with Adobe CC software (though some older or archived tutorials may be in CS6 - the interfaces are very similar). I will try to review the differences between the versions when applicable, as well as provide overviews of new features.

Q: Can I use open source software instead of Adobe software?

A: Yes. There are some great, free and open source tools available, such as Brackets, Atom, or Visual Studio Code for web authoring.

Q: Do I need to buy the software or is it available for me to use on campus?
A: Copies of Dreamweaver CC, Photoshop CC, and the rest of the Adobe Creative Cloud tools will be available in the Library (HUB) on both the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses. So, you do have the option of working in the library. However, many of you will prefer to have your own copy at home (it is an online class after all).

Q: How much is the software? Where should I buy it if I want to?
A: The Foundation for California Community Colleges offers the best deal through http://store.collegebuys.org. The cheapest option is to buy a six-month subscription (which will suffice for our class) for $49.99, but 12-month subscriptions are also avaialble for $99.98. This pricing is available only to participating Community Colleges, and as a MiraCosta student, you are eligible. Traditionally, Adobe offers student (education) subscriptions to their Creative Cloud for $19.99/month (with an annual commitment). Creative Cloud subscriptions include access to nearly every application that Adobe makes, including Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and XD. Once you have a membership, you can download any application you wish to use and install it on your computers (you do not need to be online to use the software). If you intend to take several classes in the Media Arts & Technologies (MAT) department, having access to the full creative cloud software suite on your own computer is useful.

Q: The cheapest price at College Buys requires a .edu email address. Can I get one of those from MiraCosta?
A: Yes. Students can now get .edu email addresses from MiraCosta College (as well as free access to Microsoft Office 365). To get your email, simply 1) Sign into SURF, 2) Click "Message Center", 3) Click "Office 365 Welcome Email" which is where you will find your student.miracosta.edu email address. For more information on Email and Office 365 see the Student Office 365 FAQ on the MiraCosta website.

Q: Is there any other software that I will need for the course?
A: Yes. You will need a web browser (of course).  I recommend Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/). You will also need a FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program to upload files to the MAT web server. You can use Dreamweaver for this (as I will demonstrate) or an FTP client such as FileZilla, WinSCP, or Fugu. You can download the free cross-platform FileZilla FTP client here: http://filezilla-project.org/. Lastly, the web supports such a variety of media and there are so many tools available, that I encourage you to explore and use whatever software you may need to achieve your goals. Optionally, this might include working with Sketch, Fireworks, Illustrator, or open source tools such as GIMP (as alternatives to Photoshop for image editing), or with video or audio editing software, such as Final Cut, Premiere, Audacity, or the Adobe Media Encoder. You may also choose to use other web editors, such as Brackets, Atom, Visual Studio Code, Komodo Edit, Aptana Studio or Coda (Mac only) or even Notepad (or Notepad ++) or Text Edit (Mac) for some simple things. While Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and XD are the primary tools, ultimately it is the quality of your work that counts, not the tools that created it.

Q: What is Canvas and how will we use it?
A: Canvas is MiraCosta's learning mangement system. Class conversations will be facilitated by the use of the Canvas learning management system. Canvas will provide the forum for class conversations, questions and answers, project critiques, and more. You can use Canvas to connect with your fellow students (and the instructor), ask questions, and get feedback. In the Q & A Forum, you will be able ask about questions you might have well as answer your fellow students' questions. The forums will also be used for critiques of class projects and for you to solicit feedback from your fellow students' on your work in development.

Q: Does participation on Canvas count towards our grade?
A: Yes. Your participation in the Forum Discussions and Critiques on Canvas count towards your class "participation" grade in the class.

Q: What if I have a technical problem or question?
A: Ask it. There is a Question and Answer (Q & A) category in the Forum discussions on the Canvas site. I will be frequently checking for these questions (as will your classmates). Of course, you can e-mail me too, but there are several reasons that Canvas is a better forum for most of your questions. One, the answer to your question could benefit other students. Secondly, I might not be available right away to answer your question, and it may be answered sooner by a classmate who had the same problem (and solved it).

Q: Are there required books for the class?
A: There are recommended (but not required) books. These recommended books (and other great books too) are free from O'Reilly (formerly Safari) Books Online using your Miracosta Surf ID and Password. You can find the recommended books in this playlist.

• WordPress: The Missing Manual, 3rd Edition by Mattthew MacDonald
• Learning Web Design (5th Edition) by Jennifer Robins

Many students find a reference book very useful. Others are more visual learners, already have a book they wish to use, or would prefer a different book, and that is okay. However, I find the recommended books listed above to be great resources.

Q: Will you be using Lynda.com video tutorials for the class?
A: No. I create and provide my own class-specific video tutorials for you. But, Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) has a great library of video lecture material which can supplement and reinforce the material that I have and will be creating for the class. The use of lynda.com is optional, but not required. It is up to you if you would like to pay for this commercial resource. Other video learning options are available for free through Safari Books Online in addition to the books that are there.

Q: Why do you recommend rather than require a book or lynda.com subscription? Will I need these things to be successful in the class or not?
A: First, I am sensitive to the cost of these learning materials, especially if considered in conjunction with the cost of the software (which many students buy). Secondly, I recognize that there are a number of online and/or alternative ways to supplement your learning that are free or perhaps more conducive to your learning style. Tutorials, articles, support forums, and learning guides about HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Animate (including the "help" documentation from Adobe) are readily available online with a little searching (or by following the links to the resources I will provide on the class website). While I make every attempt to create robust and comprehensive videos and learning materials for students (and make them available for free), I cannot possibly cover and/or document all of the myriad tools, techniques and possibilities that the Web has to offer. If you are serious about learning web and interactive media design, then you will need to supplement your learning with other online materials, textbooks, and/or videos, whether they are the ones that I recommend or not.

Q: How can I find out my grades in the class?
A: Login to Canvas and click on the Grades link.

Q: What are project grades based on?
A: Project grades are based on the quality of your work in the following areas: content/concept, form, function, and technique. For information on the specific grading considerations related to each of these areas, see Making the Grade.

Q: How do I turn in my work?
A: You will turn in your work by uploading it to the MAT web server using FTP (for details on how to use an FTP client and login to the server see Publishing Instructions and FTP Info for the MAT Server ). You are required to use the naming conventions for your files specified by the exercise or project details. Generally, you will name your homepage or starting page "index.html" and upload it to the assignment folder appropriate to the assignment within your "Lastname_Firstname" folder on the server.

Q: Can I redo my projects to improve my grade and/or for extra credit?
A: Students turning in projects on time can request to redo the project for some extra credit. The extra credit they earn is up to 1/2 of the missed points on the project/exercise. For example, a student getting 30 out of 40 on an exercise can earn up to 5 extra credit points for a redo... (10 missed points x 1/2). Essentially, I regrade the project, divide the difference of the two grades by 2, and then add that many points as extra credit. You'll notice that with this formula, it behooves you to do quality work from the get go.

Q: Do you accept late work?
A: Yes, but late projects may be graded down by one full letter grade for each week late. However, I offer one ‘freebie’ and will not penalize students for missing a deadline provided it does not become habitual. Once you get behind, it's difficult to catch up, however. Moreover, if you don't complete project's on time, you may not get feedback on the work you did from your classmates. The final project will not be accepted late. If you find yourself getting behind in the class, please reach out to me.

> Go to Top