Getting Started in ART 2200 Adv InDesign Software

It is very important for students in online classes to understand the navigation structure of their course. There's nothing more frustrating than spending more time trying to figure out what you should be working on and where to find it than actually doing your coursework. Each online class can have a different navigation structure. So, please take a minute to review the information below.

This course has been designed to have a pretty straightforward navigation pattern. If you having trouble finding your course content, please contact your instructor right away. Navigating the course efficiently is a top priority during Module 00.

How should I navigate the course?

1. When viewing the course on a computer, the vertical column of navigation links on the left side of the homepage (HOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, SYLLABUS, MODULES, etc.) are called the navigation tabs, so when I reference the GRADES tab or the ANNOUNCEMENTS tab, that's where you should look to find them.
2. The first thing you should do every time you log into the class is to read any new announcements via the ANNOUNCEMENTS tab. If I have something important to tell the whole class, I will send out a course announcement. 
3. All coursework is formatted as modules via the MODULES tab. We will work through the modules in the order listed on the course homepage and via the MODULES tab. The course homepage groups the modules into four units. The units are used for course grading (more on that later).
   • Unit 01 – Complex Folds, Varnish Plates, & Automation
   • Unit 02 – Styles, Variable Data, & Digital Designs
   • Unit 03 – Formatting Large Bodies of Text
   • Unit 04 – Accessibility & Portfolio Prep
4. Complete the coursework within each module in the order it is posted. I have presented the content in a specific order so that the required activities and required submissions naturally flow from one activity to the next. Skipping around within a module will make it more difficult and time-consuming to complete your coursework.
5. If you find yourself finishing modules early you can always work ahead in ART 2200.

To learn more about navigating this course, click the Navigational Tabs option above.

Below is a snapshot of what a typical module looks like in ART 2200. Students should aim to complete all of the activities listed before the Weekly Q&A page prior to each week's ZOOM session. For example, in the module below, students should complete Module Overview – Spot Colors & Dielines Revisited through Skills Practice: Format Booklets w/Fold Out Panels before Thursday's Weekly Q&A ZOOM session.

All course policies and procedures are included in the course syllabus. However, at this point in the semester, some of the course policies are more important for students to understand than others. So, I would like to highlight a few key informational items about the course that can affect your ability to decide whether or not you would like to continue as a student in ART 2200 online.

1. This class is 100% online. It is an asynchronous online class with a weekly Q&A session via ZOOM. Students are expected to attend the live class session in real-time via ZOOM or watch the recording after (see homepage for date and time). You will complete your coursework whenever it is convenient for you as long as you submit it before the posted due date. Everything is submitted through Canvas. There are no requirements to come to campus unless you choose to use our labs.
2. Students are expected to attend online office hours if they need help. Email me through the Canvas inbox if the posted office hours do not work for your schedule. I will work to schedule office hours at varying times to accommodate students in the class.
3. All coursework is expected to be submitted on time by the due dates posted. Late work, when accepted, will be docked 10% for being late.
4. Late work is accepted within each unit. However, the last day to submit late work for each unit is approximately 1 week after the unit ends. The last day to submit late work for each unit is posted on the course homepage.
5. Basic digital/computer proficiency is needed to take this class online. You will learn more about the specific technical needs for this course later in this module. If you are not comfortable using a computer, scanning or photographing your artwork, uploading files, and posting to discussion boards, you should consider enrolling in a technical literacy course prior to taking ART 2200.
6. This course does not have a required textbook. Adobe updates InDesign so frequently that nearly all InDesign book publishers have stopped trying to keep up with the updates. We will use learning resources developed by Salt Lake Community College faculty instead. Video recordings are embedded on each lesson page. In addition, your instructor will post supplemental demos via ZOOM each week.
7. Required activities in ART 2200 fall into two general categories: knowledge-building assignments and major assessments.
   
   • Knowledge Building Assignments (knowledge building)
     • Knowledge Tests: Knowledge tests are more like quizzes. Canvas calls everything a quiz so we will differentiate low-stakes quizzes from high-stakes quizzes by calling the low-stakes quizzes tests. Knowledge tests identify important information from each lesson. There is no time limit and they can be submitted twice. 
     • Skills Practices: Skills practices are set up as discussion forums. You will practice applying the InDesign skills covered in the current lesson and then show the class what you have created. You should consider these discussions to be your playground. Use them to learn. There's no pressure to get it right the first time. You can post questions, fix and resubmit your work, etc. The goal of each skills practice is to try to use InDesign. There's no expectation that you will be perfect each and every time.
   • Major Assessments (knowledge assessment)
     • Major assessments are included at the end of each module and include projects and discussions. The goal of these activities is for students to demonstrate completion of the module learning objectives. These activities are not intended to be fixed and resubmitted like knowledge-building assessments are. 
8. Grading in ART 2200 is broken down by unit.
   

   • The categories and weights are listed below.

     Course Requirements	Weight
     Unit 01 – Complex Folds, Varnish Plates, & Automation	25%
     Unit 02 – Styles, Variable Data, & Digital Designs	30%
     Unit 03 – Formatting Large Bodies of Text	35%
     Unit 04 – Accessibility & Portfolio Prep	10%

9. Final grades are calculated by percentages.

   • Grading Breakdown
     A = 100%-93%	A- = 92.9%-90%	B+ = 89.9%-86%
     B = 85.9%-80%	C+ = 79.9%-76%	C = 75.9%-70%
     D = 69.9%-60%	E = 59.9%-0%

To learn more about important course information, click the Syllabus option above.

I would like you to read the course syllabus right now if you have not already done so. Pay attention to the things that interest you. Don't worry about memorizing every detail. I recommend opening the syllabus in a new window so that you can quickly return to this page when you are done.

To learn more about important course information, click the Time Management option above.

The following is a general guideline for budgeting your time in ART 2200 each week. All coursework is due on Saturday each week unless otherwise noted on the course homepage.

At the beginning of every lesson in ART 2200, you will see a list of learning objectives. These goals explain what you are going to learn while watching the video recording for each lesson. They also outline what you will be assessed (tested) on. I recommend that you read them, define any terms that you do not recognize, and then use them as a guide as you review the course materials. 

Click the Grades option above to learn more about grading in ART 2200.

Rubrics let you know how you will be assessed on your assignments. Canvas has a tutorial for how to view rubrics for assignments, how to view rubrics for discussion boards, and how to see rubric scores and comments. Canvas also has a tutorial for how to view comments and annotations Links to an external site. made by your instructor on assignments.