ITSE 1411.7427, 9468 ActionScript Web Programming,
Fall 2007, Reg. # 442725, 4 credit hrs.

Prerequisite: INEW 1470 Web Animation and Interactivity (4). This course emphasizes developing modular interactive programs using the Object-Oriented Paradigm. Students will learn basic animation techniques, basic human-computer interaction concepts, and introductory interactive programming techniques. Scripting Languages may include ActionScript, Lingo, or other comparable language.

Contact Information:

Instructor change!! Sharon Huston was appointed to teach this class in mid-October.

Sharon Huston
sharonhuston@dcccd.edu
469-223-7393 (cell)
972-273-3146 (office, rarely used)
Office is in T Bldg, inside Business and Technology Suite

Course Description

This course emphasizes developing modular interactive programs using the Object-Oriented Paradigm. Students will learn advanced animation techniques, advanced human-computer interaction concepts, and interactive programming techniques. Scripting Languages may include ActionScript, Lingo, or other comparable language.

Learning Outcomes

The student will demonstrate mastery of advanced concepts and skills required to successfully produce multimedia content for the Web using Macromedia Flash Professional 8. Mastery will be demonstrated by successful completion of assigned exercises and projects which address specific applications of Flash and ActionScript.

Practical Information About This Course:

This advanced class teaches students to use Flash's programming language ActionScript to create complex applications.

Course Objectives

• Plan application development via flowcharting and/or pseudocode
• Demonstrate use of event handlers, program logic, loops, and functions
• Manipulate objects, including movie clips, and object properties
• Manipulate string, boolean, and numeric data
• Create, manipulate, and destroy arrays
• Import and export data into/out of Flash using different techniques including XML
• Create custom object classes
• Use UI components in forms and in other situations
• Implement collision-detection and other 'listening' functions
• Validate data
• Create and use Sound objects
• Load external assets including JPEG files, text files, and MP3s
• Test and debug Flash applications

Course Web Site:

http://nlecommerce1.dcccd.edu/instructors/les/Fall07/ActionScript/

All class readings, exercises, projects, and references can be found on the class calendar. Your instructor will show you how to access the calendar on the first day of class.

Textbook(s):

Required

Franklin, D. and Makar, J. (2004). Flash MX 2004 ActionScript Training From The Source. Peachpit Press,
ISBN 0-321-21343-2

Optional

No course materials, projects or assignments will be based on these books. However, the examples contained in these books may help you with the course. Both books are out of point but can be purchased through Amazon and other online book sellers.

Rhodes, Glen, et. al. (2001). Flash Games Studio. (1 st . ed.). Friends of Ed.
ISBN: 1903450675

Follow this link to download source code and examples from the book and to obtain a list of errata.
http://www.friendsofed.com/book.html?isbn=1903450675

Moronta, Lewis. (2003). Game Development with ActionScript. (1 st . ed.). Course Technology PTR.
ISBN: 1592001106

Flash 8.0 Orientation

A Flash orientation may be scheduled for the first week of the semester in room T242 on the North Lake Campus. You will receive an email with the date and time of the orientation. The orientation will be conducted by Ms. Sharon Huston. IF you have not worked with Flash for a while I recommend that you attend this orientation! If you plan to attend, please email Ms. Huston at sharonhuston@dcccd.edu.

About Images and Text for This Class

All projects created in this class must comply with the North Lake College Digital Imaging Copyright Policy . In a nutshell, the policy states that you may not use an image unless you have a proven legal right to do so. You will be quizzed on the policy in the first week of class.

Grades

Exercises generally fall into two categories:

• Step-by-step assignments designed to familiarize students with concepts or software procedures
• Short papers, critiques, reviews, or summaries.

Projects are longer-term activities taking anywhere from two to six class sessions.

Quizzes are short, consisting of eight to twelve multiple choice questions. In general, all questions will cover common web graphics theory, not program-specific questions. For instance, I might ask you what the common resolution for a web graphic should be, but I would never ask you how to set the resolution in Photoshop. Software changes daily, but the theory supporting the software should be around for a while.

Class Participation

• Online students will be evaluated on the quality of their discussions through email.

Due Dates

All projects are due on the assigned date. Refer back to the class website on a regular basis to keep track of project due dates. There will be a 10% penalties for all late work.

Handing in assignments

All assignments will be posted on the students allotted area assigned on the NLC local server unless the assignment states otherwise. Students may not load work on non-NLC servers. Complete the Student Profile form to obtain your username and password to access the server. http://nlecommerce1.dcccd.edu/newonline/

Lab and Web Policy Statement

All students using the open lab (T242) or the class web site (sharonh.com or nlecommerce1.dcccd.edu) are expected to comply with the Lab & Web Policy Statement . Failure to comply with this statement can result in various penalties including restricted lab use, automatic zeros on assignments, suspension, or expulsion.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Statement

In accordance with the "Americans with Disabilities Act" and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, any student who feels that he or she may need special assistance or accommodation because of an impairment or disabling condition needs to contact the Disability Services Office at (972) 273-3165 or Room A-438 at North Lake College. It is the policy of NLC to provide reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to contact the Disability Services Office.

North Lake College will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. Because of legal implications, it is imperative that all students requesting academic accommodations first notify and provide appropriate documentation of their disabling condition to the Disability Services Office. Disability Services staff will evaluate this information and develop an individualized academic accommodation plan that will then be shared with the students' instructors.

Ethics and Academic Dishonesty:

District Policy:

The Student Code of Conduct prohibits activities and prescribes penalties for academic dishonesty. According to North Lake College Policy, adopted by the President's Cabinet and printed in NLC Operational Memoranda, students found guilty of any form of academic dishonesty, including (but not limited to) cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and collusion, may receive an F on the assignment and/or an F in their course(s) from the instructor and may be suspended from college by administrative action.

Students' rights to appeal grades and/or other disciplinary action and the procedures which students must follow for appeals are published the College Catalog under the Student Code of Conduct and at the NLC Web Site under Operational Memoranda.

Instructor's Stance:

If you are caught engaging in academic dishonesty in my class I will do everything legally in my power to see that you get an F in this course.

Ethical Computer Usage

Drop Procedure

Beginning August 23rd, 2004

If you are receiving Financial Aid grants or loans and are enrolled in a Distance Learning class, you must show participation in this class prior to the certification date (the 12th day after the start date of the class) either by logging on to eCampus or e-mailing/contacting the instructor. Students taking open enrollment classes that do not have traditional semester start dates should make note of the start date of their class.

Do not drop or stop attending any class without consulting the Financial Aid Office. Changes in your enrollment level and failing grades may require that you repay financial aid funds.

If you registered on campus, you need to go to the Admissions Office and complete a drop form. If dropping all classes, please visit the Advising/Counseling Office, A465-C, and complete an exit interview and a withdrawal form.

SCANS Competencies

The S ecretary's C ommission of A chieving N ecessary S kills ( SCANS ), established in 1990, defined a common core of skills that constitute job readiness. The Office Technology Department at North Lake College is committed to prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in today's dynamic work environment.

Revised August 17, 2007
©Les M. Lunce

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