These changes to unit objectives, summary, teaching strategies and assessments are intended to align this unit MMS9402 Digital Media Authoring to the undergraduate unit MMS2402 Digital Media Authoring which covers similar content. MMS9402 will be assessed at a higher and more rigorous level than MMS2402.

1. understand the concepts of information technology, the hardware, and software tools as they relate to and are used in multimedia systems
2. understand the Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Director authoring environments for CD and DVD-ROM and web based systems development
3. understand the codecs and other compression agents associated with digital video, images and sound
4. understand the formal process for documenting the various stages of developing a multimedia system
5. understand how to achieve a range of special effects which are commonly required for advanced multimedia systems
6. understand fundamental programming techniques and how to carry this knowledge across multiple languages

7. recognise of the strengths and weaknesses of information technology in the context of the development and use of multimedia systems
8. appreciate the need to make informed decisions on the most appropriate blend of tools and technologies to support a given multimedia system requirement
9. appreciate the need for the formulation of constructive criticism within the construct of critical analysis

10. utilise advanced authoring and integration tools in multimedia system creation
11. utilist a range of industry standard multimedia tools and products
12. write code to assist in advanced system interaction with the programming languages Lingo & ActionScript
13. enhance and refine User Interface and Navigational design and creativity skills in multimedia systems
14. specify an appropriate toolset for supporting advanced features in a multimedia system
15. research, prepare and write formal papers in response to technological issues

16. to build confidence in formal presentation techniques presenting personal ideas and concepts
17. to discuss developmental processes and techniques within an informal populated environment

The unit will develop further the basic concepts of information technology and the hardware and software tools and will focus mainly on specialist tools which are used in multimedia systems. In particular attention will be given to the tools available to support linear and non-linear methods of integrating sound and video; the use of multimedia authoring tools to create and edit training and other interactive multimedia presentations; tools and programming techniques for multimedia interactivity; design techniques for interactive multimedia; and technologies such as CD-Rom and DVD.

Students will be required to attend one 2 hour lecture and one 2 hour tutorial per week.

A combination of an end-of-semester examination together with a number of unit tests will be used to assess the student's knowledge of basic computer jargon and concepts. They will be required to identify and describe the characteristics of the information technology components, and discuss their application to the development of multimedia products and systems.

Formal lectures will be used to describe the advanced authoring and editing tools, but a significant part of the teaching will be done through demonstrations of the use of the equipment in the multimedia studio and the multimedia laboratories (C1-6). In particular, examples of multimedia systems in operation will be used to highlight the strengths and deficiencies of the tools (A1-3). Students will participate in in formal presentations to build their confidence and also work in discussion groups to analyse developmental processes and techniques within an informal populated environment (S1-2), Tutorial and laboratory sessions will require students to perform basic multimedia functions on the equipment studied in the course, and evaluate its suitability to meet specified user criteria (P1-6).

• Examination 40%
• Practical Assignments and Project Work: 60%

The final mark will be calculated using a weighting formula:

where A = overall assignment percentage, E = examination percentage, R = 100/assignment weight

If a student achieves a grade of 0% for assignments the final grade will be:

If a student achieves a grade of 0% for the examination the final grade will be:

Students will study advanced authoring and editing tools, but a significant part of the teaching will be done through demonstrations of the use of the equipment in the multimedia studio and the multimedia laboratories (C1-6). In particular, examples of multimedia systems in operation will be used to highlight the strengths and deficiencies of the tools (A1-3). Students will participate in formal presentations to build their confidence and also work in discussion groups to analyse developmental processes and techniques within an informal populated environment (S1-2), Tutorial and laboratory sessions will require students to perform basic multimedia functions on the equipment studied in the course, and evaluate its suitability to meet specified user criteria (P1-6). A combination of an end-of-semester examination, a number of nit tests and project work ill be used to assess the student's knowledge of basic computer jargon and concepts. They will be required to identify and describe the characteristics of the information technology components, and discuss their application to the development of multimedia products and systems (C1-6; A1-3 and P1-6).

• Software Title:
• Vendor:
• Version:
• OS: MS Windows XP ( ) and/or LINUX ( )
• License Details: (A valid software license certificate/s or Vendor permission must be available upon request if the software is to be installed for teaching)
• Are we currently licensed: Yes ( ) or No ( ) (If unsure, please check with your local IT support )
• If (Yes), who is the contact person for this software?:
• If (No), will the software license be arranged by: Staff member requesting the software ( ) or Technical Services* ( ) ? *If the latter is selected, please discuss your requirement/s with myself ASAP, prior to finalising your request, as there could be financial or resourcing implications.
• Is the software to be installed and accessed from a: Client/Workstation ( ), or Server ( ) ?
• Type of license: Site License ( ), Freeware ( ), FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) ( ), Shareware ( ), Lab based ( ) # of Licenses needed ____
• In what week will you commence using the software in class? Semester 1 (Week ___ ) and/or Semester 2 (Week ___ ):
• Nominated Staff For Acceptance Testing Software: (Name) (Phone) (Email)
• Additional Information: Special Requirements, Software Configuration/Installation Requirements, etc:

Software Required:

1. Macromedia Studio MX 2004 - available under Monash University licence
2. Macromedia Director MX 2004 - available under Monash University licence
3. Adobe Photoshop 7 - available under Monash University licence
4. Adobe Illustrator 10 - available under Monash University licence

• Software is required one week before teaching semester begins
• Tester for software: Tim Zapart x47269, tim.zapart@infotech.monash.edu.au
• Further special requirements:

1. Latest update for Macromedia Flash 2004 - available from http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/downloads.html
2. Latest update for Macromedia Director 2004 - available from http://www.macromedia.com/support/director/downloads.html