CM C4 Fall 2009: Syllabus & Course Description

Communication Via Multimedia CM Course Description

Autumn 2009

Instructor: Kota Ohata

Class Blog: http://cmc4fall2009.blogspot.com/

E-mail: kohata72@gmail.com

Office: ILC 274 & Office Hours: Mon & Wed Lunch Time

Goals:

The goal of CM is to enable students to use all the many types of IT / Multimedia tools, especially the so-called Web 2.0 / Cloud based ones, available to improve their communicative abilities and academic performance in the ELP and throughout ICU. This course will therefore give students a good basic grounding in what these tools do, why they do it and how to begin to exploit their capabilities for communication and information management in academic activities.

Therefore, this course will focus on developing students' general awareness of what types of tools are available, how to use them and how to find more by themselves later. As students become accustomed to using these tools they will end up using them in their other classes in addition to CM class (and even outside ICU), as these tools are all extremely useful and time-saving devices.

Structure:

CM is taught over two terms: the first term is spent setting up and explaining some basic tools and getting practice using those tools for communicative purposes. The second term introduces other more advanced tools and provides additional practice in using tools already introduced. The set up and explanation of various tools will take time the term. However, students will quickly be able to see what they can do and exactly how these abilities are useful. Setting up accounts to use those tools is all done under the guidance of an instructor who can answer any student's questions.

In some activities students will work individually, and in others they will be put into groups randomly and then each group will chose a theme for their group project. Then by using these tools creatively the groups will research their project, communicate with each other, build a website for their data, make and upload slide shows, handout texts etc. and write about it on a blog. The group's topics will be of their own choosing and can be related to other topics from their ELP / ICU studies as the skills / tools learned in this class are designed to be used extensively in other classes.

Requirements:

Students need to be active participants in CM class. It is student's responsibility to attend all the classes as the explanations given are invaluable in understanding how to set up and use the tools / applications covered in each lesson. There are a lot of things to be covered so missing classes is not a good idea as it puts extra strain on students, their group members and their teachers. So attendance and punctuality are vital. If students miss any classes the class information will be available electronically. Online video and text guides are also posted there so students can get extra explanations and practice outside the class.

Therefore to succeed in this class, students must remember the following:

1. Attend class on time. Being repeatedly absent and / or late will negatively affect grades.

2. Students should notify instructors in advance if they are going to be absent.

Students are responsible for assignments given, information presented, and applications / tools explained, even if they are absent. So check the CM Blog page if classes are missed.

3. Completion of project assignments via the applications covered is another important requirement. Non-usage of the tools and lack of effort on the project will also negatively affect grades.

4. Practice makes perfect so practice often.

5. Be creative - these tools / applications allow for a wide range of uses so use them wisely and widely.

GRADING:

Attendance 10%

Class Performance 10%

Assignment Outcomes (Projects, etc.) 40%

Classwork & Homework (Use of Apps / Tools on Project) 40%