CPM-220-N1 3D Animation

Spring 2013

CPM-220-N1

3D Animation (Google SketchUp)

Dear Internet Student,

Welcome to St. Charles Community College and CPM-220-N1, 3D animation – Google SketchUp. The course is designed as an introduction to 3D. Basic concepts covered include 3D modeling, effective lighting, shadows, 3D animation and creating entire scenes in 3D.

The online option of this course is designed to give you a great deal of time and place flexibility in taking this course. It does require a great deal of self-discipline on your part to do the required work without having scheduled classes. There will be deadlines for weekly assignments. All projects and assignments will be executed online and submitted online using the Assignments link on the homepage.   I strongly recommend you set aside a time and day each week to do your assignments like you would in a normal classroom setting.

Orientation

The section you have enrolled in does not require that you attend an on-campus orientation meeting on the SCC Campus.

This is a fully online class.

This letter serves as your orientation, so read it carefully and more than a few times.

CPM-220-N1 (N stands for Internet) requires that you log on regularly during each week to:

• Receive assignments
• Submit assignments
• Review supplementary material if desired
• Submit projects
• Participate in discussion board when needed

We will be using SketchUp 8 Professional for the class.  There is a discount student price to purchase the software for under $50 with an education email.  You will have a stchas.edu email account after you register for the course.  You can purchase this by going to http://sketchup.google.com/buy/eduresellers.html and select a reseller.  You can also download the free version in the beginning of the course but will need the professional version for more advanced topics.   If you cannot purchase the software TECH 116 on campus has multiple copies available for your use.

**You will be required to post homework on Moodle on a designated work schedule. Deadlines are the last time that assignments can be submitted. Deadlines will occur weekly. No late assignments will be accepted.

Remember, this is not an independent study course that can be done at your own pace. This course is the equivalent of a SKETCHUP class offered on campus in a traditional classroom. You will have a weekly work schedule similar to that of on campus classes.

Project dates are REQUIRED. Failure to meet the project date schedule will result in an F for that project. NO additional arrangements will be made. I will not make arrangements for deadline changes on assignments or projects.

** Communication is going to be the key to success in this course. Use the course e-mail and discussion board to ask and answer questions. I will check each area once a day Monday through Friday.

**There is a Moodle help sheet located on the homepage to familiarize you with Moodle.  Make sure you review it. 

**Read the syllabus and general information pages online. They will give you information regarding course operations.

**This course officially begins on January 22, 2013 and ends May 11, 2013 with a final project. If you don't think this learning format will work for you, please drop before classes begin to get a higher refund.

Moodle

LOGGING IN:

1. Go to https://moodle.stchas.edu

2. In the Login block on the top right hand side of the window type in your User Name and Password (same as SCC Connections)

3. Click on the Login button

Getting Help:

Click on the STUDENT HELP link on the homepage of Moodle.  It will walk you through various topics concerning Moodle.

Problems logging in, don’t see your course listed, not sure how to submit an assignment? For help with these questions and more contact the Help Desk at 636.933.8555.

Accessing Your Course:

1. On the right hand side of the window, locate the “Courses Available to Me” block

2. Click on the plus sign in front of the desired semester/term to expand the list

3. Locate the desired course and click on its name

4. You should now be in the course

Editing Your Profile

1. If you are not directed to complete your profile after logging in the first time click on profile in the Administration block.  (On the right hand side of your course.)

2. Click on the “Edit Profile” tab

3. You will only be able to edit certain fields. For example your name and email address cannot be changed, but you can decide who has access to your email address by pulling down the drop down menu across from “email display”.

4. You may add a short autobiography or descriptor in the description field.

5. Change the settings in your profile as desired.

6. You may add an appropriate image to your profile . Scroll down the window to the Picture section, click the browse button and navigate to your picture on your local machine or flash drive, select the file name and click open. Images should be 100 pixels X 100 pixels.

7. The Interests section allows you to add a list of tags that other students and your instructor can search on. Separate each word with commas.

8. Click on the Update Profile button at the bottom of the window.

It is very important that you read the General Information, Moodle help sheet and Course Syllabus before beginning the course.

All information regarding the course can be found once you login. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Moodle online courses will not be available to students until five working days prior to the start of the semester.

REGISTERING FOR AN EMAIL ACCOUNT:

• Go to www.stchas.edu
• Select Cougar Mail icon on the homepage
• Follow the instructions on activating your email

It is very important that you read the General Information, Moodle help sheet and Course Syllabus before beginning the course.

All information regarding the course can be found once you login. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Moodle courses will not be available to students until five working days prior to the start of the semester.

Textbook

Google SketchUp 8 Hands-On Student Coursebook; Bonnie Roskes; 3DVinci Publication

 Hard copies will be available at the bookstore.  You can also download a pdf version from www.3dvinci.net.  I am working on a student discount for this option.  Consult the syllabus for instructions before downloading the book.

Getting Started

As soon as you are logged in to the class home page, do the following: click on the available icons and look around. Review what is contained in each section.

Online classes take tremendous organization and time-management skills. If you work each week on your assignments, you should have little problem with the class. It is not my responsibility to work around your schedule. If you are working, taking other classes, or have scheduled vacations during this class, it is your responsibility to see that your work is submitted on time. Work will not be accepted late.

Please click on the link below and take the quiz to learn how well you are suited for online education.

http://stchas.smartermeasure.com.

Jane O’Donnell
Associate Professor, Multimedia and Web Design
jodonnell@stchas.edu
636-922-8594
Technology Building 105