The unit provides the basic concepts of multimedia, multimedia elements and security and privacy issues required for multimedia applications. This unit also introduces the basic processes of analysis and design for developing a complete functional specification for a multimedia/web-based application. In addition to this, it also provides an overview of the application of programming languages and detailed knowledge of multimedia authoring tools required for implementing a multimedia/web-base application. In particular, this includes:
Basic concepts of multimedia
Processes required for analysis, design and producing a multimedia/web-based application
Legal, security and privacy issues in multimedia information
Multimedia elements including 3-D modeling techniques
Multimedia authoring tools
Fundmental concepts of Javascript, CGI and XML programming languages required for multimedia application development
Objectives
At the completion of this unit, students will have
Knowledge of:
Basic concepts of multimedia including file types, applications, compression and delivery issues;
Processes involved in the analysis, design and production of multimedia applications;
Legal, security and privacy issues related to multimedia applications;
Application and selection of different multimedia authoring tools in the development of multimedia applications;
Basic priciples of Internet and WWW in the context of web based multimedia development;
Multimedia elements (text, image, animation, audio and video) and 3D modeling techniques;
Basic programming techniques (such as javascript and CGI programming) to control different media such as audio, video, text and images
Fundamentals of Extended Markup Language (XML);
Database features which support multimedia applications.
Understanding of:
Processes of analysis, design and producing of a multimedia application;
Securities issues and corresponding services related to multimedia applications;
Multimedia elements and 3-D modeling techniques.
Development processes for functional specifications for multimedia/web-based applications based on user requirements;
Basic concepts of organizing multimedia elements for multimedia applications based on user requirements.
Skills in:
Analysis, design and production of real world multimedia/web-based applications;
Constructing applications comprising multimedia elements that include video and sound, javascript, CGI and XML programming;
Producing formal documentation for developing and implementing multimedia applications
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed
GCO1810 or GCO1811, GCO1815 and GCO1821
, or equivalent. You should have knowledge of
Basic computer system operations, Windows platform experience
Unit relationships
GCO2823 is a core unit Bachelor of Multimedia Computing
It is a prerequisite/corequisite for Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed
GCO1810 or GCO1811, GCO1815 and GCO1821
, or equivalent. You should have knowledge of
Basic computer system operations, Windows platform experience
T. Vaughan, Multimedia: Making It Work, 6th edition, Osbourne/McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Textbook availability
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.
Software requirements
Macromedia Dreamweaver 8, Flash 8 and Fireworks 8
Software may be:
downloaded from http://www.macromedia.com/
purchased at academic price at good software retailers
Hardware requirements
Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Recommended reading
L. Elin, Designing and Developing Multimedia, Allyn and Bacon, 2001.
M. Hall, Core Web Programming, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1998.
J. Burger, Desktop Multimedia Bible, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1993.
N. & J. Chapman, Digital Multimedia, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 2000.
N. & J. Chapman, Digital Media Tools, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 2002.
F. T. Hofstetter, Multimedia Literacy, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995.
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for GCO2823 are:
A printed Unit Book containing 11 Study Guides (302 pages), sent from the Gippland School and IT. This Unit Information outlining the administrative information for the unit The GCO2823 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementary material will be posted. Newsgroups/discussion groups that can be linked to from the Unit Homepage
Structure and organisation
Week
Topics
Study Guide
Key Dates
1
Introduction to Multimedia
Study guide 1
2
Multimedia Project Discovery, Planing and Costing
Study guide 2
3
Multimedia Designing and Producing
Study guide 3
4
Legal, Security and Privacy Issues in Multimedia
Study guide 4
5
Multimedia authoring tools, Internet and WWW
Study guide 5
6
Fundamentals of Extended Markup Language (XML)
Study guide 6
23 August 2006
7
3D images and virtual reality
Study guide 7
8
Animation
Study guide 8
9
Video and Audio
Study guide 9
10
CGI programming
Study guide 11
Non teaching week
11
JavaScript
Study guide 10
4 October 2006
12
Java Applet
Study guide 11
13
Exam Preparation
Study guides 1-11
Timetable
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
Assessment for the unit consists of 2 assignments with a weighting of 60% and an examination with a weighting of 40%. Read this section VERY carefully.
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
To pass this unit you must:
attempt all assignments and the examination
score at least 50% of the possible marks for the unit
achieve no less than 40% of the total available marks for the assignments overall, and the examination
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
Your score for the unit will be calculated by.
Final grade (%) = min (A + 10, E + 10, E * R + A * (1 - R))
Where A = Overall assignment percentage E = Examination percentage R = Exam weighting
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Designing an Instructional Multimedia Application
23 August 2006
20%
Producing an Instructional Multimedia Application
4 October 2006
40 %
Assignment specifications will be made available on the GCO2823 Unit Web Site Assignment Page.
Assignment Submission
Assignments will be submitted by electronic submission to http://wfsubmit.its.monash.edu.au/.
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received after the due date will be subjected to a penalty of one grade per four days or part thereof up to one week late. Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not normally be accepted.
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
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.
Requests for extensions must be made by 'email to the unit lecturer at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
Assignment return
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is 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 improvements
Unit has been improved based on student feedback and unit evaluations.
Plagiarism and cheating
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 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.
Communication
Communication methods
Preferred methods of communication for students in the unit are -discussion groups, email, tutorials, telephonic conversation or to lecturer at end of lectures. Discussion groups can be found under the newsgroups of the unit Website.
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices Newsgroup in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
Tuesday from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
Dr Gour Karmakar Lecturer Phone +61 3 990 26252
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
