Full Description

Someone taking this course should have some experience using a computer in a windows environment. No programming experience is required. This is a self-directed course that provides you with a hands-on experience using an authoring program called Authorware. The textbook introduces you to the major features of Authorware and guides you step by step through the development of several Authorware projects. All of the files that you need for this course have been included with the textbook. You will modify several Authorware projects that have been created by the author. These projects contain a variety of multimedia objects such as text, graphics, sound, and video.

Authorware software is included with the textbook. However there is a 45-day time limit on using the software. The following computer system requirements are recommended. Windows 98 or later version, CD-ROM drive, 50 MB of free hard-disk space, Intel Pentium processor, SoundBlaster-compatible sound card, and QuickTime for Windows support.

Required Textbook:
Macromedia’s Authorware 5 Attain Authorized. ISBN is 0-201-35411-X. Authors: Orson Kellogg, Roberts & Gross

Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

• Create an interactive multimedia program using text, graphics, sound, and a digital movie.

• Apply screen transitions and path animations to enhance visual elements.

• Create interactions that let users trigger responses by pressing keys, entering text, or clicking objects on the screen.

Assessment:

You will send one of your Authorware projects to your instructor for review.

There will be no tests to take. However, you are expected to complete the projects assigned each week.

Week 1
This week you will familiarize yourself with Authorware. You will learn how Authorware is able to assemble media objects such as graphics, and sound into a multimedia program. You will be creating your first Authorware program.

Week 2
This week you will learn how to include motion and sound in a multimedia program. You will look at the use of interactivity in a multimedia program. The heart of Authorware is its ability to respond according to what a user clicks on a computer screen. Most of this course is about creating multimedia programs that make use of interactivity. Your first interactivity project is creating a keypress interaction that responds when a user presses keys that you have defined.

Week 3
This week you will learn how to create a hot spot interaction, in which users can click a location on the computer screen to trigger a response. Your next project will be to create a text entry interaction that calls for the user to respond to a question by typing the answer.

Week 4
You will create a hot object interaction program that permits users to use objects as hot areas on the computer screen to trigger responses. You will incorporate external media files into a library you created. A library is used for storing media for easy access and repeated use.

Week 5
This week you will learn about pull-down menus and target area interactions. You will create a target area that allows users to drag objects to locations on a screen. A lot can be accomplished in Authorware without doing any programming. This week you will get acquainted with variables and functions and how they are used in an Authorware program.

Week 6
This week you will learn about packaging an Authorware program. Your final project will be to add a digital movie to an Authorware program.