Welcome to COMM 310: Creating Online Media
Overview
Students in the Creating Online Media (COMM 310) course explore the creation and design of web pages while learning to apply the design principles learned in the Visual Media (COMM 130) course, in an online, digital medium. Students will study HTML and CSS with an emphasis on how visual communication can entice, engage, and authenticate the information that is being delivered online. At the end of the course, the students will produce a website on a topic of their choosing that demonstrates both principles of design and validating HTML/CSS.
This course is designed for students with intermediate visual media experience. Successful completion of COMM 130: Visual Media is required. COMM 300: Digital Imaging is useful, but not required. Students will use the Adobe programs and website publishing software in a hands-on environment ideal for active learning.
Students will prepare for activities and projects by reading and pondering the outlined materials. Students and the instructor will help answer questions, teach one another and implement those things that were studied.
Learning Outcomes
Creating Online Media learners will achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Setup and use an FTP account to manage website files.
- Apply the principles of design to create appealing and functional websites.
- Use Adobe Photoshop to design and display a website.
- Read and write validating HTML & CSS.
- Implement good SEO and usability practices.
- Create and manipulate a self-hosted, hand-coded website.
- Understand modular website using PHP Includes.
Required Materials
- TextWrangler (Mac) or NotePad++ (PC): Both FREE
- Web hosting (including domain name): $60–$80 (Web Hosting for Students is recommended and available through the BYU-Idaho University Store which includes domain name)
- Required Book: "HTML & CSS: Design and Build Websites," ISBN: 978-1-118-00818-8 or 978-1-118-00919-8 (available through BYU-Idaho University Store in digital or print options or can be ordered through various booksellers on the internet.)
Hosting and a domain name must be purchased and maintained until the final grades of the semester have been posted. Students are not required to buy a specific web hosting service, though they must acquire a reliable service that is ad free. Students are fully responsible if subpar services fail during review or grading.
Compare prices for your textbooks through the University Store Price Comparison site: This will show you all of the options from the University Store plus several online options to help you find the best price.
Grading
| Participation | 90 points |
| Activities | 80 points |
| Demonstrations | 65 points |
| Final Project | 75 points |
| Total Points | 310 points |
| A | 93.0-100.0% |
| A- | 90.0-92.9% |
| B+ | 87.0-89.9% |
| B | 83.0-86.9% |
| B- | 80.0-82.9% |
| C+ | 77.0-79.9% |
| C | 73.0-76.9% |
| C- | 70.0-72.9% |
| D+ | 67-69% |
| D | 63.0-66.9% |
| D- | 60.0-62.9% |
| F | 59.9% and less |
Learning Model
Students are expected to follow the learning model by preparing and taking an active learning role in the course. Preparation points are awarded for completing notes and activities, reading quizzes, participating in group critiques, and interacting with other students.
Participation/Attendance
Online students: Participation is vital. Participation on the discussion boards is equivalent to on-campus attendance. The course grade will be dropped a full letter if a student neglects to participate in four or more discussion boards before the outlined due date/time. Neglecting five or more discussion boards may result in course failure.
Late Work
In accordance with Communication Department policy, late work will not be accepted.
Mulligan
To help compensate for computer or personal emergencies, students are allowed a mulligan, which allows them to complete an assignment/meeting up to two days late without a reduction in points. This mulligan may be used to extend the submission deadline for notes/activities, but may not be used on the demonstrations or final course project. Students need to fill out the mulligan assignment, found in I-Learn under Student Resources, before the original deadline in order to use the mulligan.
Courtesy Policy
You are expected to be courteous at all times in this course. You will treat classmates, teaching assistants, lab assistants, and the instructor with respect, using professional, courteous language and tone in emails, classes, office visits, etc. You are expected to foster a positive attitude and encouragement for everyone in the class. Disrespect, negativity, disruptive behavior, failure to participate in discussion boards, and talking about grades in a public forum will not be tolerated. You will be given five Courtesy Points of extra credit to compensate for subjective grading issues, minor grading errors, and for being courteous in this course. Read more about the Courtesy Policy and expectations in I-Learn.
Ethics
Students are expected to observe the BYU-Idaho Honor Code. All work must be original. The use of templates, code completion software (Dreamweaver, Muse, etc.) or code provided by another individual is strictly prohibited in this course. Copyright laws will be strictly observed. Violations of the Honor Code including plagiarism, deception, cheating, etc. will result in work/project or course failure, depending on the seriousness of the violation.
Disabilities
In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. Students must disclose to the teacher any special need she/he may have before the end of the first week of class.