The first several weeks of the first semester will be a special "crash course" intended to provide students with basic Photoshop skill and an introduction to Adobe software. The rest of the year will go into much greater detail on already covered topics.  At the beginning of the semester skills and basic topics will be stressed.  Further on, students will have more control over their work and will be able to produce multimedia according to their interests and talents.

Students who do well and show aptitude in multimedia will be eligible to take Viscom 1B.  Students in that class will work freely in a journalistic mode with the teacher to satisfy the multimedia needs of Foothill in the future.  The focus will be on sharpening and extending the basic skills learned in Viscom 1A while actually creating and bringing into being video footage.

GRADING SCALE:

Grades will be based almost entirely on projects; there will be points, however, from behavior and study habits. Extra credit will be used at the teacher's discretion but will not be able to raise a grade more than 1/3 (i.e. From B to B+, or C+ to B-).

Students are responsible for knowing and following the rules and procedures stated in the school handbook. Cheating or plagiarism violate the school code and will not be tolerated. Any such violations of the school code may result in loss of credit for the assignment or be referred to the administration for further action. If you are unsure about how to avoid possible plagiarism in your work, please ask Mr. Geib for help. Sharing and copying each other's files with the intent to turn in such work as your own is plagiarism! Don't do it.

EXPECTATIONS:

Students should come to class ready to pay attention, work hard, and learn to read, write, and think critically. Students should arrive prepared, obey the class rules, complete their work, and complete and perform well on long-term projects. Students should listen attentively, and participate in class discussions and activities. These expectations can be summed up as follows:

* Come to class
* Pay attention
* Do your work
* Behave

Although they require commitment, discipline, and hard work, these goals are simple. Your final grades will reflect the student's ability to fulfill these goals which are important not only in school but in life generally. Mr. Geib wishes all his students much luck this school year!

Mr. Geib does not expect perfection from his students; nevertheless, he does expect that all students honesty strive to do their best to fulfill their potential. Above all Mr. Geib endeavors never to waste his student's time; in return, he hopes you will not waste his. Do your best in class and both teacher and student can rest content with the results. If both put forth their best effort honestly and patiently, teacher and students can feel in their exhaustion at the end of the year a deep satisfaction and sense of accomplishment - knowing the time together was well spent and that significant learning and growth had taken place. This is the goal.

Mr. Geib realizes students already have their hands full with the other "core" academic solids: English, History, the sciences and mathematics.   Mr. Geib does not want to pile on to student's already stiff work load. Therefore, he has designed Viscom so that students will not need to work outside of class to complete assignments.  Students will have NO HOMEWORK - but only if they work steadily and dutifully in class!  Students who waste time in class and fall behind in large projects, on the other hand, will find themselves in a difficult situation.  The handful of students who have failed technology classes like Viscom 1A in the past have done so because of poor work habits, not because they could not do the work.  Conversely, even students who struggle in their "core" classes have been able to earn a good grade in technology classes, if they work consistently every class period towards completing assignments.  It is up to the student.

BEHAVIOR:

Students need to obey class rules, be honest, and treat their peers with respect. Students are in school to study and learn and not to fight or fool around. If a student does not heed warnings as to violations of class rules, the situation will bring the involvement of parents and school administrators. Much of the work in Viscom 1A will be done in groups; students must treat their peers with respect and conscientiousness.  You do not have to best friends with your fellow students in Viscom class, but you need to be able to collaborate successfully with them.  Strive to work amicably with your peers.  Keep it positive!

Most of the time in class will be spent with students working to complete projects and assignments on their computers at their own pace.  However, Mr. Geib will periodically gather the class together to explain an assignment or aspect of a software application or skill set.  For these few minutes every period (usually at the beginning) he requires that you absolutely give him your full attention and refrain from talking or attempting to use the computer!  Mr. Geib will bark at any and every student talking or turning to their computer monitor while he is setting up the lesson and explaining how to complete it.  The amount of time you will spend listening to Mr. Geib is very small; so give him your full attention, knowing you will be back at your computer station soon.  It is not much to ask.  Indulge Mr. Geib in this small request and the class will run smoothly and quickly.

Class rules apply when a substitute teacher is present. Again, to succeed in school everyday you need to following: come to class, pay attention, do your work, and behave. If not easy, it is at least simple.

WORK HABITS:

Work habits consist of effort in class, completion of homework, neatness in all work, and coming to class with supplies. In each grading period, students can miss one homework assignment without it affecting their grade. Mr. Geib does not ask for perfection from students, but he does expect consistency and the best possible effort. In particular:

• Students must pay attention in class to lectures and keep up with the various assignments and group activities. Work habits often directly correspond to a student's grade.

• Students are required to strive to work successfully and amicably with other students in class.

• Students should arrive to class on-time. Students should finish any food or drinks before entering class. Eating and drinking is not permitted during class session.

• Students should treat the computers with respect and not violate any of the acceptable use policies.

Unusual incidents such as illness in the family or other unforeseen emergencies will of course be taken into account with respect to student work. Students should speak with Mr.Geib and inform him of any situations which might interfere with student's ability to do his/her work.

Mr. Geib is available to meet with students almost everyday during lunch or break to discuss student concerns. Please come talk to him if you have any worries, problems, or questions.

ABSENCES:

Students have as many days as they were absent to make-up work. For example, if a student misses two days of class they have two days to make-up the work. Mr. Geib will hold relevant materials for students. However, he will not hold the material for extended periods of time. It is the student's responsibility to make-up all work; upon your return from being absent, please come see Mr. Geib to get make-up materials. Absence is not a valid excuse for a failure to complete class assignments in the allotted make-up time.

A student with EIGHT (8) tardies or EIGHT (8) uncleared absences in one semester in any class will be removed from that class upon the 8th absence/tardy, and given an "F" grade at the end of the semester. Special circumstances must be cleared with the Principal.  BE ADVISED!