Course Outline
Welcome to the New Media program at Holy Trinity Academy High School. Your instructor, Mr.
Crawford or Mr. Clay, hope that your time with him will be an enjoyable learning experience. I hope
the reason for coming into this course is to discover the many unique processes available through the
mediums of media.
Media affects our lives each and every day. So much so that we may not even realize it. How
many of you listened to music, sent a text, looked at a website, watched TV, looked at some advertizing
(either in print/video/online) today? All of these are forms of media. In introductory level of new media
you will be given an introductory look at several types of New Media formats from computer graphics,
video, 3D modeling, photography and some basic theory on what good design is and is not.
I believe that there are many interesting projects to do here…that is why we call this a working
lab and if you let me, I will have you working in the lab as much as possible. Working in a safe and
courteous manner are essential, non-negotiable requirements for this course.
Why Take New Media or Any Other Option Course
Your reasons for taking this course may be different from the person sitting next to you. Some of
you may feel that New Media may be "your calling" and you would like to pursue it at the postsecondary level. You may be looking at going to film school, taking computer animation to enter the
video game industry, become a graphic design, web designer, professional photographer, work in and
advertizing industry, etc.
Others may simply want to learn more about New Media in the hopes of adding more skills to
their educational toolbox. The skills you will learn in this course will help you prepare better class
projects for any course you take.
Regardless of your reasons, option classes are very useful to your educational future and may
open career opportunities and skills that you never knew you had.
What are Career and Technology Courses?
Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses are standalone 1-credit courses which
approximate 25 hours of coursework. In New Media you will be completing seven individual 1-credit
courses. The mark you receive for each 1-credit course will be the final mark for that course. There is
no “average” as in your core classes, like math. Career and Technology classes (New Media, IPro,
Construction, Sports Medicine, Fitness, computer programming and Nutrition and Foods) are different
from your core classes in this regard.
When you log in to Power School to view your marks you will see all the individual courses listed
separately.
Introductory New Media
2016-2017
Mr. Crawford - [email protected]
Mr. Clay - [email protected]
It is VERY important that you pass all your individual 1-credit courses in this class if you want to
proceed to the intermediate level of media. If you don’t pass all the individual courses (which is usually
due to not getting assignments completed or laziness) you may not be able to proceed to the next level or
you may have to repeat some of the introductory level courses before you can take then intermediate
level ones.
What will we be learning?
In new media we will be taking the following courses (this is subject to change though)

COM1005: VISUAL COMPOSITION
Students learn to employ fundamental elements and principles of design for various media and gain a
strong foundational multidisciplinary experience in preparation for other Communication Technology
courses.
Prerequisite: None

COM1035: GRAPHICS TOOLS
Students are introduced to the basics of computer graphics (vector and raster), and graphic
computer programs.
Prerequisite: COM1005: Visual Composition

COM1205: PHOTOGRAPHY – INTRODUCTION
Students develop essential skills in camera use with a focus on basic composition, set-up and an
examination of exposure. Students operate a camera to capture images and produce final display
proofs.
Prerequisite: COM1005: Visual Composition

COM1105: AUDIO/VIDEO
Students acquire basic production skills, including planning, recording and editing, through the
production of simple audio and/or video project using basic equipment and techniques.
Prerequisite: COM1005: Visual Composition

COM1145: ANIMATION 1
Students are introduced to a variety of animation techniques and produce a simple animation; the focus is
on basic skills, including planning, keyframing, stage set-up, and production, used to create a moving
picture.
Prerequisite: COM1005: Visual Composition

COM1165: PRINTING 1
Students are introduced to basic layout and design techniques as well as to various print reproduction
processes using a positive or negative master such as digital, offset, screen, vinyl plotting, wide format
and laser cutting.
Prerequisite: COM1005: Visual Composition

DES1050: CAD 1
Students develop basic knowledge, skills and techniques to draft drawings for visualizing and illustrating
simple design problems.
Prerequisite: None
VERY IMPORTANT: Please note that Visual Composition is a pre-requisite for every other
course. It is essential that you pass this course in order to obtain credit in the other courses.
Also you must pass each course in order to move on to the intermediate level courses
Introductory New Media
2016-2017
Mr. Crawford - [email protected]
Mr. Clay - [email protected]
As you go through the various areas, you will find that they are not really independent of one
another. Many concepts overlap from one form of media to another. For example what you learn in
visual composition can be applied to everything we do in New Media as it is a theory based course.
How Will I Do?
In New Media, as is the case with any course, how well you do depends on how much you are
willing to put in. Students who pay attention in class, ask questions and put their best effort in to their
assignments are usually very satisfied with their marks.
Many students have failed New Media courses due to laziness in completing their coursework! Do
not let this happen to you!
Is This Course For Me?
Are You Willing to Work…Hard?
As stated in the previous paragraph (but worth mentioning a second time) the New Media Lab and the
courses you complete will give you as much as you put in them. If you do not want to learn, I cannot
force you and would recommend that you leave the course. You will rarely get homework in this class,
provided that you use the class time wisely.
Are You a Safe Individual?
As the lab is designed for individual instruction and student growth, it becomes a safety problem with
students wandering around aimlessly among working students and running machines. Therefore this
type of behavior cannot be tolerated. This type of student will be told to leave and go to the office due to
the fact that he or she is an unsafe condition and all unsafe conditions must be removed from the lab.
Do You Like Working With Computers?
New Media is a fairly computer intensive course. You do not need to be a computer genius to succeed.
A willingness to learn, deal with challenges and not getting frustrated will be the most important skills.
If you hate computers, this course might not be for you.
Do you have good time management skills?
You will be given sufficient time to complete assignments during class time. You may however, be
required to come in at lunch or after school to get caught up or if you're having difficulties. Since you
cannot complete many of the assignments at home class time is very precious.
Can You Follow Rules?
When you walk through the door you are committing yourself to work and abide by the lab rules. Your
success is an indication of how you compare to the rest of the class so utilize your time to the fullest.
Your performance/professionalism (mark) is only determined by you!
If you answered “No” to any of the above questions, this class my not be for you. (but talk you
your teacher about your concerns first)
Introductory New Media
2016-2017
Mr. Crawford - [email protected]
Mr. Clay - [email protected]
Late Assignments
The goal of all CTS courses is to prepare you with skills and attitudes for entry into the workplace or
post-secondary education. It would be unacceptable for you not to hand in a project at your job on the
due date and the same applies in this class.

Late assignments will be deducted 5% per day late.

If you do hand in something late it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to talk to your instructor during
free time to get the assignment remarked. Your instructor will not search your H: drive for
missing assignments.

If you have NHI assignments you will be required to come during scheduled help to make them
up.
Absences and Lates
This course is entirely teacher directed therefore attendance is extremely important. Unlike other
courses, we do not have textbooks where I can tell you to read a certain chapter to get caught up on what
you missed. If you do miss a class it is your responsibility to get caught up on what you missed. This can
be done by asking a friend, or coming to see your teacher after school or during lunch. The class will
progress as scheduled regardless of your attendance.
You are considered late if you enter class after the bell rings
Student Supply List
The following is a list of MANDATORY supplies for all New Media levels. Please purchase them as
soon as possible as the teacher will not supply them for you:
1. Headphones – for listening to music (not while the teacher is instructing of course) during
work time and for working on video editing projects.
2. USB Drive (16GB or greater) - for backing up your work
3. There is a small monetary costs to students who want to print off some projects
General Rules for the New Media Lab
 Food, drinks are prohibited in the lab…..period. Marks may be deducted.

Having permission to complete assignments for the photography and video assignments is a huge
privilege and is not to be abused. Students caught sitting in the atrium, stairwells, or wasting time
will no longer be allowed to leave the class.

Cell phones are not permitted. Please leave them in your locker or turn them of and put them
somewhere where they will not be a distraction to you, your classmates and your teacher.
Texting or using phones in class will result in confiscation.

EVERYONE participates in clean up, even if it is not your mess. Avoiding helping with cleanup
could result in you doing the entire cleanup!
Introductory New Media
2016-2017
Mr. Crawford - [email protected]
Mr. Clay - [email protected]

At the end of class, save your work, logoff of your computer, push in your chair, clean up all the
mess around your workstation (even if some of it may not be yours), arrange your keyboard and
mouse nicely.

Under no circumstance are you to use a machine without being checked out by your
instructor (this is done by watching a demonstration of each machine)

For some projects we will be going outside of class. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are you to
leave school grounds. When you are outside of class you are working on your projects. Wasting
time in the halls, sitting in the atrium, disturbing other classes, etc are unacceptable, will not be
tolerated and will result in permanent lost of this privilege.

If you’re not sure what to do, ask, especially regarding equipment and chemicals. “It’s
better to ask what you may think is a stupid question than to make a stupid mistake”.

BE RESPECTFUL of the learning environment

BE COURTEOUS to our fellow classmates

Come to class prepared and ready to work

Free time must be earned.
General Ways to get along with Mr. Crawford and Mr. Clay
 Come to each class with a positive attitude and ready to work.
 Respect all equipment as though it was your own. We are very fortunate to have some very good
equipment and I’d like to keep it that way.
 Have a sense of humor
 We like a clean lab. We've been known to add marks to those who go out of their way to keep
the lab clean… and vice versa.
 Mr. Crawford/Mr. Clay value old school qualities such as:
o Punctuality
o Taking pride in your work
o Respecting others
o Not settling for anything less than your best
o Excepting responsibility for your actions
Helpful Hints
 There is very little opportunity for “do-over”, “make up” or “extra” work during the semester to
improve your grades. I emphasize doing your best the first time and there are plenty of little
projects we do ahead of our large projects to make sure that you have the skills to succeed.

Classes require your full and undivided attention. Working on other projects, conversing using
IM, checking eMail, sleeping, playing games, and checking social media will not be tolerated.
Introductory New Media
2016-2017
Mr. Crawford - [email protected]
Mr. Clay - [email protected]

Remember that your teacher cannot judge your work based on the effort you feel you have put
in, how hard you have tried, or the hours you have spent. All the teacher can evaluate is what
you give them. That work will, and must, be judged on its merits, not your own. It is natural to
invest your ego in your work, and identify with it, but you should not feel that a poor evaluation
of your work is necessarily a reflection on you.

Don’t get frustrated when you don’t get something on the first try

Do not get behind in this class! I cannot emphasize this enough.

If a friend is helping you with a task have them talk you through it rather than doing it for you.
You will never learn anything if others keep doing your work - plus it's plagiarism and you'll
both get marks of zero.

Be creative. I like people with a creative flair as their assignments tend to be more interesting
and well done. If you happen to finish a project early and still have class time to work on it, go
over your work, be critical of it and try to make it even better. Don't settle for a mark of 80%
when you have the time to push for a 90% mark.

Make all your assignments look professional

It never hurts to ask me what I think of your assignment. I will give you an honest opinion, what
you do with my advice and critiques are up to you.

Put your assignments in their correct location and give them the file name that your teacher
instructs you to use.

3 then me. If you’re having problems with something try asking three other students for help
before asking the teacher. Especially if the teacher is busy helping other students.
Appropriate Projects
Any projects deemed unacceptable for a Catholic school environment will be given a mark of zero.
Parents will be notified and shown the project. Administration may also be notified depending on the
severity.
If you have any concerns about the appropriateness of a project, ask your teacher first (and for your
benefit before you start on it so you don't waste your time).
Equipment
We are absolutely blessed with the equipment we have in this lab. Our program is the envy of many
schools in the province and I would like to keep it that way. This will only be achieved by everyone
taking pride, ownership (treat equipment as if it were your own), and responsibility for it (the equipment
in your possession as well as equipment in other students possession).
Rules for borrowing equipment
 You may borrow equipment to use outside of class time for certain projects.
Introductory New Media
2016-2017
Mr. Crawford - [email protected]
Mr. Clay - [email protected]



Once the equipment leaves the classroom it is your responsibility and you assume all costs of
replacement if damaged. If you have demonstrated that you are not trustworthy with equipment,
you will not be allowed to take it out.
All equipment will be signed out at the end of the day. (first come, first served).
Any borrowed equipment must be returned the next day before first period. This ensures that all
classes have enough equipment for the next day. Failing to do so will result in your borrowing
privileges being limited.
New Media Evaluation
The evaluation system for all New Media courses will use the same format. This will let the student
who takes the course acquire a sense of unity throughout the three levels. The system will utilize the
following guidelines:
70% Projects
Marks will be awarded based on the marking criteria your teacher discusses for each individual
project. A portion of your mark will go towards your Visual Composition course based on how
you used the elements discussed in that course in your projects.
10% Skills (Competency) Tests
Marks will be awarded based on students displaying skills acquired in class to a mini-project.
These are used to evaluate how well a student comprehends a taught skill.
5% Project Effort
Project effort is an evaluation of a student’s effort in each individual course. This mark is not
related to the marks the student received on their projects but how much effort they put into their
project beyond the base expectations.
15% Professionalism (Attitude/Effort/Cleanup/Participation)
Marks will be awarded based on the following guidelines:
1) A positive attitude, politeness, and courtesy are apparent. This includes your tone of
voice and a willingness to communicate with other students and the teacher to ensure
your success.
2) Participation in all activities and your contribution to classroom questions and
discussions when called upon.
3) Effort refers to a student’s endeavors regarding completion of all student work and using
given classroom time effectively.
Remember that my goal as a teacher is to help you reach your potential and I’m always willing to look at
your work to provide you with praise and constructive criticism. It’s your choice as to what you do with
it. With that being said every year I am amazed at some of the work students produce. Never be afraid to
achieve greatness.
Introductory New Media
2016-2017
Mr. Crawford - [email protected]
Mr. Clay - [email protected]