FIT2012 Digital media authoring - Semester 1, 2009

Berwick

• Cheryl Howard

Caulfield

• Cheryl Howard
• William Lay

Berwick

• Cheryl Howard

Caulfield

• Cheryl Howard
• William Lay

Prerequisites

Relationships

FIT2012 Digital Media Authoring is a core unit in the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems - Major in Multimedia. It is a pre-requisite for FIT2016 Human Computer Interaction for Multimedia, FIT3039 Studio 1, FIT3033 Principles of Educational Multimedia.

Unit leader

Lecturer(s) :

Tutor(s) :

Lectures will be used to present and explain programming principles and practices within the context of the authoring environment of Flash.

Laboratories will be used for practical experience in the development, coding, testing and debugging of the functions specific to the authoring environment.

Tutorial allocation

Communication, participation and feedback

Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

Unit Schedule

Prescribed text(s) and readings

Foundation Flash CS4 for Designers
By Tom Green, David Stiller
Friends of Ed (2008)
ISBN-10: 1-4302-1093-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-4302-1093-1

Learning ActionScript 3.0 - A Beginner's Guide
By Rich Shupe with Zevan Rosser
O'Reilly (2008)
ISBN-10: 0-596-52787-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-596-52787-7

See also: "Recommended Reading" below for a list of recommended references.

Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

Recommended text(s) and readings

Required software and/or hardware

All software required for use in this unit can be accessed from allocated campus laboraties/tutorial rooms.

The software used in this unit consists of:

• Adobe Flash CS4 Professional
• Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Adobe Illustrator CS4

30 Day Trial/Evaluation versions of the named software can be dowloaded for personal use if neccessary from the following websites:

• http://www.adobe.com/

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

available on the FIT2012 web site on MOODLE. It will host lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements and assignment specifications. In addition, supplementary resources may also be posted.

Library access

The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching.  To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.

The Educational Library and Media Resources (LMR) is also a very resourceful place to visit at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/library/

Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)

All unit and lecture materials are available through MUSO (Monash University Studies Online). Blackboard is the primary application used to deliver your unit resources. Some units will be piloted in Moodle. If your unit is piloted in Moodle, you will see a link from your Blackboard unit to Moodle (http://moodle.monash.edu.au) and can bookmark this link to access directly. In Moodle, from the Faculty of Information Technology category, click on the link for your unit.

You can access MUSO and Blackboard via the portal: http://my.monash.edu.au

Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then Blackboard under the MUSO learning systems.

In order for your Blackboard unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.

For example:

• Blackboard supported browser
• Supported Java runtime environment

For more information, please visit: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html

You can contact the MUSO Support by phone : (+61 3) 9903 1268

For further contact information including operational hours, please visit: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html

Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html

Unit assessment policy

The unit is assessed with one major assignment with 3 major project milestones and 5 minor project milestones (60%) and a three hour closed book examination (40%). To pass the unit you must:

• achieve no less than 40% of the possible marks in the exam
• achieve no less than 40% of the possible total marks for the unit's total non-examination assessment (ie: game assignment)
• achieve no less than 50% of possible marks

Assignment tasks

• Assignment Task

  Title : Game Development Project

  Description :

  The practical project will be based on the Flash CS4 authoring environment covered during the semester.

  From the following game scenarios, select one to develop for your major assessment task. It is important that you select carefully because the Game Design Specifications will be required by Week 3 and a complete navigational/graphical prototype will be required by Week 5. This is to ensure that you have an appropriate amount of time to implement the programming aspects of the game, and to assist in time management of the project.

  • A Silly Stories Generator (suitable for novice programmers)
  • Variation on a "Jeopardy" Style Quiz Game (suitable for intermediate programmers)
  • Variation on a "Battleships" Style Game (suitable for advanced programmers)

  The Game Design Specification documentation is designed to outline and organise the development process of the project. Appropriate headings are provided as a guide to what you should include in the design specifications for your selected game project. Be aware that part of your final assessment will include how well you develop your project in accordance to what you stipulate in this document. In other words, a small but completed project will score very well as opposed to a large incomplete one!

  The Navigation/GUI Prototype will demonstrate how you have structured your game and show the majority of your interface design. The game components DO NOT have to function for this prototype as dummy data and/or game components can be used to show the overall look-and-feel of the game. The prototype should include a clearly defined internal structure on the time line (as demonstrated in labs), clearly show the main screen elements of the game, and an example of each major screen of the game. [NOTE: the individual screen elements are only there to show their position on the screen and DO NOT have to function at this stage. All that is required is a complete screen layout with appropriate design suited to the game you are developing.]

  The final part of this assessment is the submission of a functional game, developed according to the game specification documents submitted in Week 3. Each scenario includes 5 common components for must also be successfully integrated into the final game. These will also be covered in the weekly lab tasks conducted throughout the semester and will be assessed separately but are an integral part of your final mark. These components cover the basic functions or features required to make the game have at least an elementary level of interaction. Additionally, you must successfully integrate the 3 project enhancements as described underthe individual game scenarios. These enhancements cover a range of graphic,animation, audio and programming options to allow students to target their strengths and apply them accordingly. 

  Weekly tasks will be available to download from MOODLE. It is expected that students will download the materials relevant to each week's activity. Working through each activity will give students an understanding of various techniques and their suggested application, however, it will be up the each individual student to determine how to best implement these techniques to best suit their needs. 

  Weighting : 60%

  Criteria for assessment :

  The project will be worth 60% of the final grade and will be marked out of 100. The marks for this project will be assigned as follows:

  Game Design (40)

  30      Game DesignSpecification Document to be submitted by Week3. For more detailed information see the Game Design Specification section of the Unit Outline document (see below).

  10      Navigation/GraphicPrototype to be submitted by Week 6.This will demonstrate how you have structured your game and show the majorityof your interface design. The game components DO NOT have to function for this prototype as dummy data and/or game components can be used to show the overall look-and-feel of the game.

  Game Implementation (60)

  15      Successful integration of the 5 common project requirements (5 requirements x 3 marks each). These will also be covered in the weekly lab tasks conducted throughout the semester. These are the basic functions or features required to make the game have at least an elementary level of interaction and will be set for submission in Weeks 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

  30      Successful integration of the 3 project enhancements in the final project (3 enhancements x 10 marks each). These will also be linked to the weekly lab tasks. These enhancements cover a range of graphic, animation, audio and programming options to allow students to target their strengths and apply them accordingly. The criteria for successful implementation is the enhancement working without error, logical and efficient coding with all extraneous code eliminated, appropriate application of good programming practices (ie: use of commenting, naming conventions,variables, properties, re-usability, etc.).

  15      A functional game, including the integration of the 5 common and 3 specific requirements to be submitted by Week 12. The criteria for this component will include:

  • Interface design and brand development including the overall look-and-feel of the game's graphics/interface, consistency of layout and design, and presentation and readability of content (3).
  • The implementation of Flash features including animation,appropriate use of different symbol types, application of different types of media (image/audio), and Flash components (4).
  • The final product is functional and works without error. Items presented within the game must also function correctly (eg: navigation buttons). Internal and external assets must be organised in a logical structure (eg: using folders, naming, etc.), with appropriate navigation structures implemented (8).

  Due date : By 4pm Friday of the specified week

  Remarks ( optional - leave blank for none ) :

  Full details are available in the DMA Unit Outline 09-1 document that is available for download from the MOODLE site.

Examinations

• Examination 1

  Weighting : 40%

  Length : 3 hours

  Type ( open/closed book ) : closed book

  Remarks ( optional - leave blank for none ) :

  The end-of-unit examination will be a test of knowledge on all aspects of the unit from conceptual theories, practical development, interactive design principals and practical developmental tools and techniques. The questions will be drawn from a variety of sources including the textbook, lectures and lab notes.
  
  

Assignment submission

Major project milestones will be submitted by 3pm Friday of the week that they are due to the designated submission box on a CD-ROM and with the appropriate paper Asignment Cover Sheet correctly filled out and attached.

These are available from the Berwick and Caulfield School of Information Technology offices in Building 903 or on level 6 of building H respectively. Further instructions will be provided with the assignment specifications.

Assignment coversheets

•   via the "Student assignment coversheets" ( http://infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/assignments/ ) page on the faculty website
•   if the students submit their assignments electronically online via MOODLE, coversheets are provided within those systems

Due dates and extensions

The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 10% per day (including weekend days).

Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not be accepted for assessment unless prior (alternate) arrangements have been made with the unit Lecturer due to special circumstances.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/

Plagiarism, cheating and collusion

Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html) and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

Register of counselling about plagiarism

The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.

Non-discriminatory language

The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:

• Faculty of Information Technology Student Service staff, and / or
• your Unit Coordinator, or
• Disabilities Liaison Unit

Deferred assessment and special consideration

Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.