Thursday, October 8, 2009
Week 8: October 19, to October 25, 2009
Fireworks is as graphic programs go, about as easy as it gets to learn; yes, I said that and you're thinking "what planet did he come from?", but it's really true. After you get used to some of the new tools you've probably never have seen before, it does get easier. My question to you this week is, for a real beginner to this stuff, what is the most difficult thing to grasp about the software and/or the exercises? Answer in a fashion that could lead me to developing a method of teaching Fireworks that would be less difficult or daunting to grasp.
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7 comments:
Using Fireworks is the easy part. I’m less sure about learning all of its potential capabilities in 3 weeks. In my opinion, these are the key elements regarding learning the software in this course. All of them relate to one thing – time.
Lack of computer/software access (lab time)
Suggestion: I understand it is not only staffing of the lab at issue, but software licensing. Make some computers available in other locations to use for this course. (It is not necessary for all computers in the lab to have Adobe CS4 on them. In other words, set aside specific computers in various locations on campus for courses like this one.)
The “Stop Dreamweaver” and move on to Fireworks.
A really key element. I completely agree that we need to stop Dreamweaver (regardless of our individual state of learnedness or unlearnedness) and move on. A great point to refresh, refocus, and restore some creativity and sanity.
Time spent on textbook exercises vs. ProAl exercises.
Suggestion: The textbook exercises are nice because they are easy to follow, all the steps are there, and they are a good start to the ProfAl exercises. However, for the time available, there are too many of them. While practice makes perfect, by the time you do the Portfolio Project, (after doing Project Builder 1, Project Builder 2) it becomes more of an exercise in speed and creativity rather than learning new material. Perhaps combining some of the ProfAl exercises into the text exercises, or making at least one of the Project Builders optional/extra credit would free-up some time. The educational losses there would minimal.
Well, as a novice, I would say that feeling overwhelmed with the capability of the program is the most difficult. Also, to me setting up the canvas and getting all of the settings right is a real challenge. I am still having a little trouble uploading files and remembering how to do everything so that my stuff gets published. I guess overall each component of Adobe CS could pretty much be taught as a seperate course.
The exercises are really good but there were so many in Dreamweaver that I got really confused. I was doing well just to try and figure out what all this stuff was. There were so many things to set-up to begin with then the exercises on top of that seemed insurmountable to me. Maybe if there is time in the semester, a week or two could just be devoted to setting up files and folders and general navigation through CS. You know, expose the scary monster to the light.
For me the most difficult part of learning Fireworks is getting my Adobe Photoshop programmed brain to relearn how to do the same graphics in fireworks. Although some of the same steps translate well from program to program - it does sometimes get a little confusing to remember that Fireworks is a bit different then Photoshop. Otherwise - it's going quite well! :)
Hmmm. I've had a small amount of experience with Illustrator and Photoshop; compared to these programs, Fireworks is dramatically easier. I guess because it's all Web-focused, so print-oriented elements can be left out.
Frustration: I wanted to be able to put an enamel sheen on a complex assemblage of pen-drawn items. Ran out of time to get this done.
Random question: I'm wondering how the Photoshop Live Effects filters are different from the other filters ... other than they offer more choices...
My problem is that I get so absorbed in a single exercise that I probably spend too much time on it. The book exercises are good, but the ProfAl exercises are better, I think, because they encourage independent thinking and problem solving, and they are written in a friendly, challenging yet supportive tone.
We need to have an advanced web design and development class, or an independent study option that does not require carrying a full load of other classes.
My 2 cents.
Without this class, I would not have plunged into Fireworks. Now I'm planning to use it all the time.
I have quite a bit of experience with graphic programs, and just a little with InDesign. With that said, I am still finding some of the concepts in Fireworks difficult to master.
Layers - this is a fairly easy concept to visualize and understand, but using them is another story. Learning how to use layering, labeling them, and how to organize them so they can be reused in different web documents has me stumped! I still end up using basically one layer, and end up pulling my hair out!
Drawing Vector Shapes - this again is difficult. Maybe because I don't have an art background, but I really have trouble with modifying the points on a path. Maybe it comes with experience, but I could not for the life of me actually smooth out my curved line I used for soda can in the impact exercise.
Shape converting - We haven't covered this but I think it would be very useful to know how to bring in drawings and shapes from different files and converting them into vector graphics.
Well thanks to the "hard-core" students who have found in their hearts and lives to respond to my little Blog questions! You make my week, every week! Now if we could get the rest of the class off of their respective duffs, and get them to participate in the class, maybe, they too would learn as well as you all have.
Now to some comments made, Mark has mentioned getting some of the software installed elsewhere on campus and I know this has been discussed and I believe is a go. However, it's now down to who will do it, when will they do it, and do we have anybody on staff that can and will do it. Does this sound a little like big government red tape?
Again, Mark has been diligent in his studies and has tried to get as much done as possible. I commend his efforts, but this class does not require that all the assignments offered to be done. Don't forget the Prof Al exercises are their to boost-up the textbook with more material, and hopefully more practical material that can translate into skills that you can use after the class. But, I will take his comments under consideration when I rewrite the semester activities for the Spring.
Pam, I know you are having difficulty at times, hopefully having your daughter join the class has been helpful. What you are experiencing is more about time management and Windows file management. Well that is not a part of this class, that comes before in the lower division sections of the CIS department. However, with some scheduled practice without any other diversions on your part, I'm sure you can master these requirements. After all, this is not rocket science, that's another department.
Ruth, I appreciate your comments about my exercises very much. I can only say that what you found to be true was my goal in creating them for my classes. As a side-note here, I have been asked before why I don't just write the textbook myself for the class. Funny thing is I did, it's 518 pages long. The problem is that as soon as I get it published, Adobe changes the software again, and I have to start all over again. This is why you have to download the exercises from Moodle instead of purchasing the book from the bookstore. It takes so much time to write these, take screen shots, and then hopefully get someone to proofread them. Usually, it doesn't get proofread and I have to rely upon students to catch any mistakes I might have made. As I'm writing this, I still have more pages to update before this class is over.
Lisa, talks about Layers and Vectors. Layers are a part of each of the software packages we teach in this class, and for the most part, do exactly the same thing in each. Naming layers is not necessary, but it will help you if JavaScript it written on the page. Having parts named or labeled makes it easier for you to identify parts of the code if it becomes necessary to fix something. As to vectors, you'll get that practice you are asking for in Flash. Flash is a vector program and it can convert bitmaps for you. In fact there is a Prof Al Exercise early on that does just that, look for it.
Well thanks for all the comments and the hard work in class, it will all pay off for you soon enough.
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