Q: How will the class be conducted?
A: On campus of course. We meet every Monday and Wednesday from 9 - 10:50 am in OC28102. Students are expected to attend class, which will include lectures, demonstrations, and some limited lab time (but not on a set lab schedule). There are also a number of online class resources available to help you. This class website, located at http://karlcleveland.com/110, is the primary source of content and resources for the class. It will have links to everything else. MiraCosta's learning management system, Canvas, will be used for used for online discussions, announcements, quizzes, and the grade book. Instructor-created instructional videos and other class material will be available on the class website. Class assignments, videos, support materials, links and resources, documentation, and related reading will be posted to the class website each week.

Q: How do I find out what I should be doing in the class?
A: Review the homework and 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). Recommended or optional tasks are useful if you wish to supplement your learning or explore class topics in greater depth, but are generally not needed to fulfill class requirements.

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: Yes. Quizzes will be used to assess your engagement with class reading or lecture material. In general, I will provide a practice quiz to help you prepare for the actual quiz. Quizzes will be announced at least one week in advance and conducted during the first 15 minutes of class time on the day of the quiz.

Q: Is there a required book for the class?
A: Yes. It is Adobe Photoshop CC 2025 Release - Classroom in a Book, Adobe Press. ISBN: 978-0-13-537632-4. Digital version available for free through O'Reilly Books Online (https://library.miracosta.edu/safari)

Q: What software is needed for the course?
A: You will need Adobe Photoshop CC 2025. Photoshop Elements, Photoshop for iPad and/or open source software such as GIMP will not suffice (though I try to be supportive of open source software, the reality is that this class is rooted in the use of Photoshop).

Q: Do I have to buy the software? Is the software available for me to use on campus?
A: Copies of Photoshop CC, and the rest of the Adobe Creative Cloud tools will be available in the Media Arts (OC28) and Library/Learning Commons Computer Labs on both the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses. So, you do have the option of working in those labs. However, most of you will prefer to have your own copy at home (it is an online class after all).

Q: How much is the Adobe Creative Cloud software? Where is the best place to buy it if I want to?
A: The Foundation for California Community Colleges in partnership with Adobe offers the best deal through http://store.collegebuys.org. This includes a 6-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud for $49.99 or a year subscription for $99.98. It 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) so this is a much better deal (at around $8 per month). Creative Cloud subscriptions include access to every application that Adobe makes, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Animate, and many others. 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.

Even though the College Buys page says it will take 24 hours to get a confirmation email, be aware that it might take longer (some students had to wait a long time last semester). There should be an initial confirmation email and then later another activation email.

If you have an existing CollegeBuys Adobe purchase that is about to expire, you must first let it expire before repurchasing (yes, it's counter intuitve, but true).

Q: College Buys requires a .edu email address for 'academic verification'. Can I get one of those from MiraCosta? Can I buy it without that email account?
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) Go to the MiraCosta Okta Sign On 2) Sign in with your SURF ID and Password 3) Locate and click on the tile called Office 365 and use Outlook or Microsoft Office 365 Mail 4) There you find and access your student.miracosta.edu email address. For more about Office 365 or other technology resources and support, visit the ITS Help Desk. Remember, because you will use this ".edu" address to buy your Adobe software, this is where you will need to look later for the CollegeBuys/ThinkEDU confirmation and activation emails (not in your other personal email).

You also have the option to show other proof of being a MiraCosta student and to buy without an .edu address. This will require uploading proof of affiliation with your MiraCosta (Class schedule, Student ID, etc), but this option sometimes takes longer to validate and can delay delivery.

Q: What if I have a technical problem or question about Photoshop?
A: Ask it. Ask your questions during class, during office hours, or use the Question and Answer (Q & A) category in the Forum discussions on the Canvas site. I will be frequently checking for these questions. Of course, you can e-mail me too.

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

Q: How do I turn in my work?
A: You will be printing and mounting your projects and submitting them during class. You also need to submit your project files (.psd, .jpg, and design brief .pdf) by uploading them through Canvas. See the Assignment Submission Guidelines for full details on how to submit your work.

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.

Q: What if I have additional questions not answered here?
A: Ask them. I am here to help and want to make sure everything is clear.

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