Final Blog Post (Class Evaluation) Due 6/6/16

Please respond to the following questions (cut and paste into your post, then answer below each one). Please be honest. The grade will be based on thoughtful completion of the questions, NOT whether the content is negative or positive. :-) If you prefer to keep your evaluation private, feel free to email it to me instead.

1. Why did you take this class?

2. In general, what did you like most about this class?

3. In general, what did you like least about this class?

4. What was your most favorite project and why?

5. What was your least favorite project and why?

6. Discuss the overall effectiveness of the instructor (for example: preparation, availability, interest, content knowledge, expectations, etc.).

7. What are the most valuable things you learned in the class?

8. Do you feel that this class will help you achieve your future academic or career goals? How or why (or why not)?

9. How could this class be improved?

10. What would you tell incoming students to help them be more prepared for the class?

11. Additional Comments:

Blog Supplemental Assignment for 5/15/16

Since it appears that your Pluralsight accounts have expired already, and many of you have still not completed the blog assignment, I am posting this alternate assignment for you to do instead (or in addition if you want extra credit).

This will be a traditional blog assignment, with two resources to analyze and respond to, as well as a weekly comments post. If you have already completed the Pluralsight post, you can still do this one to either replace a previous blog grade this quarter, or for extra credit. I would recommend this, as the resources this week are particularly helpful.

The first is about posing characters, but much of it can apply to actors as well:
http://thinkinganimation.com/tracer-pose-design-101-animation-overwatch-extra-frames/
Note that your response should include much more than a regurgitation of the bulleted list that is already there. Much, much more is covered in the video, especially regarding the Tracer character.  There should be some good discussion/opinion with this topic.

The second is about editing, mostly in relation to film, but could also apply to animation, and could be especially helpful in polishing your final project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q3eITC01Fg

This will be your last blog assignment, aside from the class evaluation (instructions to come), so make it count!

Blog Assignment for 5/15/16 (Pluralsight Evaluation)

Once again, you will only be doing one post for this blog assignment instead of three. On April 15, you were all sent an invitation via email to test out the Pluralsight training site. If you have not already done so, make an account and find a topic that interests you. This site covers every application we use in both years, and there are thousands of tutorials, many with files you can download to work along.

Most topics are broken down into several videos that are 3-10 minute in length. You do not have to complete a whole topic for this assignment, but you should watch at least 15-20 minutes worth of video and play around with the sample files, if possible. When you have finished exploring the site, write an evaluation and discuss your user experience.

Your response should be several paragraphs, and include at least the following items at some point in your discussion:

• The exact name of the tutorial you are evaluating
• The amount of video you watched
• Did you utilize the sample files? Did they add to your learning experience?
• Your overall impression of the site: user interface, ease of use, topics available, etc.
• Your feedback regarding the specific tutorial you watched. For example, was it interesting? What did you learn? Was it professional? Was it easy to follow? Did you have to stop/start/rewind often? Any other comments/impressions you had.
• Do you prefer to learn through these video tutorials or the packets we used this year? (or a combination) Give thorough details about your opinions here, as this may help determine future learning methods.
• If given access to a year-long subscription, would you use this resource at home to supplement your in-class learning? Discuss how this may or may not be helpful to you.
• Any additional comments about your experience. The more detailed your opinions, the better!