Week 2: Goals This Week
At the end of this week, you will be able to:
- Explain how computers and software use metaphor in their graphical user interfaces
- Use Mac OS graphical user interface and identify its basic elements
- Create, locate, rename, move and delete a folder
- Create and save a file
- Use Adobe CS5 graphical user interface and identify its basic elements
- Save an Illustrator master file in native file format
- Explain good file-naming conventions
- Connect, explore contents, and safely eject an external device
- Locate local and networked file storage locations
- Back up course work to local, networked and external file storage locations
- Turn in files to the Instructor Drop Box
The assigned activities on this page are designed to help you practice these learning goals and demonstrate your learning. Doing these activities in the order presented below is recommended. However, you are ultimately responsible for your own learning, and you may proceed in any way that helps you acquire the above knowledge and skills.
Completion Checklist for Week 2
- Before class: Watch Videos: Mac Basics (online)
- Before class: Reading Assignment: Metaphor (online)
- Before / during class: Practice: Complete Chapter 1 Exercises 1-4
- Before class: Reading Assignment: vector vs. bitmap (online)
- During class: Lab: Mac Basics
- Before / during /after class: Quiz 2: CS4 GUI, Vector & Bitmap (Blackboard)
- Before / during / after class: Discussion 2: Metaphor (Class Blog)
Videos: Mac Basics
Homework from Week 1 - Do this before coming to class on September 2Below are links to four Apple training videos that will help you learn the Mac Operating System. The links open in a new window. (If you watch in the lab, please wear ear phones.) It will take you 20 minutes to watch all four videos (longer if you pause to take notes or try each task, or watch multiple times).
- Anatomy of a Mac (5 minutes)
- Finder Basics (2 minutes)
- Using the Sidebar (3 minutes)
- PC to Mac: The Basics (6 minutes)
1. Give 2-3 examples metaphors that relate the Mac OS Graphical User Interface to real life tools or processes
2. Identify the following parts of the GUI:
- Finder Icon
- Finder Window
- Sidebar
- Devices
- View Buttons
- Home Folder Apple Menu
3. Perform the following tasks:
- Open a Finder window and change its view
- Explain what the Finder is
- Locate and explore the contents of a device connected to the Mac
- Eject an external device
- Locate another computer or server on your network
- Add a Folder, File or Application to your Sidebar
- Identify which applications are running by looking at the Dock
- Add and remove Applications from the Dock
- Locate recently downloaded files
- Minimize a Window / Restore a Minimized Window
- Delete an item
- Empty the Trash
- Right-click to bring up additional options menu
- Locate Menu Commands for a running application
- Identify the currently active application
- Close a Window
- Quit a running Application
Lab: Mac Basics - during class this week you will be asked to demonstrate several of the above tasks to your instructor.
Reading Assignment: Chapter 1: Metaphor
Complete before coming to class on September 2.Read Chapter 1: Metaphor in Digital Foundations: Intro to Media Design with the Adobe Creative Suite. Keep the idea of metaphor in mind as you work through your exercises this week. Identify a metaphor that connects part of the Mac user interface to a real-world idea, experience or tool. We will discuss this later in the week.
Practice: Chapter 1, Exercises 1-4
Complete before or during class. Your saved file from Exercises 2-4 is due in the instructor's DropBox by the end of class.Start by looking at the Results of Chapter 1 Exercises, then do Exercises 1-4. There is no file to save in Exercise 1. Exercises 2-4 can be completed all at once, or you can save your Illustrator file after completing some of the work and finish later. Time needed for all four exercises: 30-60 minutes.
After completing these exercises, save your Illustrator file as lastname-firstname-ch1.ai. To receive credit for the practice exercises you will need to place this file in the instructor's DropBox by the end of our class meeting this week.
Reading Assignment: vector vs. bitmap
Complete before coming to class on September 2.Read (or review) vector vs. bitmap at the end of Chapter 1, Exercise 1. Find the answers to the following as you read:
- How are vector graphics created?
- How are bitmap graphics built?
- What is another name for bitmap?
- Which type of graphic, vector or bitmap, can be scaled up or down without distortion or loss of quality?
Bring your questions about vector and bitmap graphics to class for discussion and clarification of these concepts.
Quiz 2 in Blackboard
Complete before midnight on Sunday September 4.Quiz 2 will expire in Blackboard on at midnight on Sunday September 4. This quiz covers the Creative Suite graphical user interface and vector vs. bitmap. The score of your best attempt will be recorded in your gradebook. Time needed: 10-20 minutes.
Discussion 2: Metaphor
Complete before midnight on Sunday September 4.To participate in this discussion you will add a comment to the Discussion 2: Metaphor blog post. Identify a metaphor that connects part of the Mac user interface to a real-world idea, experience or tool. As clearly as you can, describe what you see on the screen, and describe the related real-world experience.
Answers will be graded as follows:
| 0 points | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student does not submit a reply by the due date | Student identifies a metaphor but the reply is a "piggyback" to another reply - "me too" instead of writing own answer, own point of view | Student clearly identifies a metaphor but does not describe onscreen and real-world components | Student clearly identifies a metaphor and describes onscreen or real-world component (not both) | Student clearly identifies a metaphor and describes both onscreen and real-world component |
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