Q: How will the class be conducted?
A: Online, of course. This class website, located at http://karlcleveland.com/mat110, 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 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: 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 online class from Wednesday to Wednesday (as if we "meet" on Wednesdays). 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 noon each Wednesday and may include work that will be due the following week. Most projects and exercises will be due on Wednesday (there may be some exceptions, so pay attention to the listed due dates). All work is due 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: How is the online class different from the on-the-ground course?
A: I make every effort to deliver the same quality course online as I offer on the ground. The course content is functionally the same and students in both the online section and on-the-ground section complete the same exercises and projects. However, online students must be motivated to be independent learners. I will provide a plethora of resources to help you learn digital imaging using Photoshop but I cannot force you to utilize these resources or keep up with the course content. On-the-ground students have the benefit of a weekly class session to keep them on track. Online students must be self-motivated to stay on track. It is recommended that you set aside a block of time on a weekly basis in which you can engage in the course material, similar to how an on-the-ground student would come to class each week (i.e. put it on your schedule!).

If you are new to online learning, you may be interested in MiraCosta's Student Orientation to Online Learning programs. The current schedule is available here.

Q: Are there any tests or quizzes in the class?
A: Yes. Quizzes will be used to assess your engagement with class reading or video lecture material. In general, I will provide a practice quiz to help you prepare for the actual quiz or I will allow you take the quiz two times (counting your best score).

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 Library (HUB) Computer Labs on both the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses. The MAT department also supports some open lab times in our classrooms (see the schedule here). 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.

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).

Typically, they 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. 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: 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 turn in your work by uploading it 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. The best place to ask a question, as mentioned above, is the Canvas Q&A forum.

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