Week 1

Group Activities

• Introduction to the course and each other.
• Review carefully the Course Description, paying particular attention to all requirements. It is important that you become very familiar with the course policies so you can understand what is expected of you in this class.

Individual Activities

Exploring the class website:

• Complete Getting Started 1: Registering on the Site, Getting Started 2: Logging in for the First Time, and Getting Started 3: Editing Your Account for the First Time
• Read Learning to Navigate the Site. Then explore the class website. Make sure that you login; some class website features are not available to guests. It'll be easier as we move forward if you take the time now to explore. Get familiar with where things are located, which links take you further into the class website and which take you outside to other resources.
• Review How to Post to Your Individual Weblog and then "How to Post Comments and Replies"
• I've created a post on the course home page inviting you to introduce yourself. Post a comment to that post in which you
  • describe where you are from
  • give your course of study and year
  • talk about your career goals
  • tell what you would like to get out of this course
  • share at least one thing personal about yourself (a hobby, your favorite sport, a favorite activity, etc.)

Break . . .

Studio Work: Avatars, Animotos, and Assets . . .

• Goal one during the second half of class is to create and upload your avatar, using these suggestions as a starting point: Creating Avatars and Images for Your Profile. You may need to use PhotoShop or Fireworks to adjust (or create) your image. (15-20 minutes)
• Create an animoto of your very own. Check out these samples. You'll need to create a free account at the Animoto website, collect assets (images, music), and then let the Animoto engine do its work. I have prepared some assets for you at our drop.io assets site, which we'll use throughout the semester. The password is "680" (no quotation marks). When your Animoto is ready (may take a while), embed the code in a blog entry that you tag "animoto" (without the quotation marks). The class will watch them this week and then choose the winner at the next class meeting.
• To help you with your Animoto, I've created a "drop" at drop.io: http://drop.io/680assets. The password is "680" (without the quotation marks). You have permission to add more files, notes, etc. to this page. Our size limit is 100 MB, so bear that in mind. You can review various drops created during this course at our "Drop.io Assets" listing.

For next week . . .

• Be sure to post your Animoto to our Animoto Workshop node and watch everyone else's, adding comments where the spirit moves you. Be prepared to vote and discuss in class.
• Post a blog entry that discusses one or more possibilities for your "Big Project." You don't need to go into great detail (yet), but you should throw out some possibilities, explain why you're interested in the project(s), and elicit feedback from your peers. For Week 3, you'll write a more formal proposal and develop a milestone calendar. If possible, post a few links to some sources of inspiration. Use the Lupton book (DIY) for help if you need it. Tag it: "Big Project Notes"
• Create your personal drop.io assets site that you can use throughout the semester and that you can share with others as needed. Use an admin password so that you can edit the drop later. Put a few assets in it.
• Be prepared to work on your project(s) during class.