This deck is an explanation of how the unique grading system and semester long competition of this class will work.

1. MSCO

2. Regular Grading System
100
Traditional Model
“It’s all downhill from here”

3. Regular Grading System
Quiz
B+
100
Traditional Model
“It’s all downhill from here”

4. Regular Grading System
Quiz
B+
100
Quiz
B-
Traditional Model
“It’s all downhill from here”

5. Regular Grading System
Quiz
B+
100
Quiz
B-Test
Traditional Model
D
“It’s all downhill from here”

6. Very Demotivating
Anything less than perfect
is a step down
Early failures discourage
interest or continued effort

7. After a point an ‘A’ can be
impossible to achieve
Arbitrary ceiling on
knowledge capped at ‘100’
Failure is feared

8. Points System
New Model
Quiz
+50
“Nowhere to go but up”

9. Points System
New Model
Quiz
+50
“Nowhere to go but up”
Homework
+40

10. Points System
New Model
Quiz
+50
“Nowhere to go but up”
Homework
+40
Office Hours
Visit +20

11. Points System
New Model
Quiz
+50
“Nowhere to go but up”
Homework
+40
Office Hours
Visit +20
Tutored Peer
+110

12. Lots of ways to
earn points, less
ceilings/limits
Reduces performance
anxiety
Failure is
part of feedback

13. Points System
Doing basic classwork will get you a C. If
you want a B or an A, you need to take
advantage of the Learning Opportunities
section.

15. Points System
Here, you’ll see new assignments each
week that can earn you points in small,
medium, or large increments,
depending on the amount of work
involved.

16. Points System
You can choose which (if any) of these
assignments you want to do. If you
hate writing, you can skip the
assignments that are writing intensive
and focus on Photoshop work or giving
presentations.

17. Points System
You will have 1 week to do each set of
assignments before they close and a
new set replaces them.
Don’t procrastinate!

18. Points System
All assignments must be submitted to
Courses as a JPG!

19. Points System
However, taking every opportunity to
earn points has other advantages…

20. The Competition:

21. How the competition works:
In addition to earning points through
doing assignments, you will also be
working in groups to compete against
your classmates for bonus points.

22. How the competition works:
You will do this by playing a game in
your groups once a week. This happens
in the first ten minutes of class, and
each team member must be present to
play.
The day will be randomly chosen
between Tuesday or Friday each week.

23. How the competition works:
Each team member takes on a certain
role in the group, each with unique
abilities.
Each role is designed to help the group
in some way, so it’s always best if
everyone shows up to contribute.

24. How the competition works:
You will all be competing with other
groups for a large amount of bonus
points awarded at the end of the
semester.

25. Choose from the following roles:
The different roles for each team will be:

26. The Attacker attacks other groups, damaging
their bonus point total.
Since the group with the highest total at the end
of the semester wins the biggest bonus, the
attacker helps slow down your opponents.
Later, more powerful abilities allow them to steal
points from one group and add it to their own.

27. The Attacker attacks other groups, damaging
their bonus point total.
Since the group with the highest total at the end
of the semester wins the biggest bonus, the
attacker helps slow down your opponents.
Later, more powerful abilities allow them to steal
points from one group and add it to their own.

28. The Attacker attacks other groups, damaging
their bonus point total.
Since the group with the highest total at the end
of the semester wins the biggest bonus, the
attacker helps slow down your opponents.
Later, more powerful abilities allow them to steal
points from one group and add it to their own.

29. The Defender protects the group from other’s
attacks.
Later, more powerful abilities allow them to
reverse attacks.
If a defender is absent, it leaves the whole
group vulnerable to attack.

30. The Defender protects the group from other’s
attacks.
Later, more powerful abilities allow them to
reverse attacks.
If a defender is absent, it leaves the whole
group vulnerable to attack.

31. The Defender protects the group from other’s
attacks.
Later, more powerful abilities allow them to
reverse attacks.
If a defender is absent, it leaves the whole
group vulnerable to attack.

32. The Healer restores points to the group,
adding to their bonus point total.
They are the main way to advance in the
game!
Higher levels add more points and can
strengthen your teammates.

33. The Healer restores points to the group,
adding to their bonus point total.
They are the main way to advance in the
game!
Higher levels add more points and can
strengthen your teammates.

34. The Healer restores points to the group,
adding to their bonus point total.
They are the main way to advance in the
game!
Higher levels add more points and can
strengthen your teammates.

35. The Diplomat can form partnerships with
other groups. If both Diplomats agree, then
each team receives a bonus.
If there is not an agreement however, it can
leave one group more vulnerable.

36. The Diplomat can form partnerships with
other groups. If both Diplomats agree, then
each team receives a bonus.
If there is not an agreement however, it can
leave one group more vulnerable.

37. How the competition works:
Each of these roles have different levels
of abilities. The strength of your ability
is directly related to your own
individual grade.
The better you do personally, the more
you will be able to help your group
collectively.

38. Leveling
As you earn individual points, you will
gradually increase in level. New levels
will bring new abilities to use to help
your group.
Each level will require more and more
points to achieve as the semester
progresses.

39. Determining a winner
Each team begins with a pool of 100
bonus points. As you progress
throughout the semester, your total will
go up and down quite a lot, depending
on how you play.

40. How the competition works:
The team with the most points at the
end of the semester will earn a
substantial amount of bonus points.
Other teams will receive smaller
amounts.

41. Remember
The competition is a work in progress.
Throughout the semester we may need
to tweak certain rules here or there to
try and keep things fair.

42. Student Learning Objectives
1. Design effective visual messages for
various approaches that combine the use
of print, online and other multimedia
communications.
2. Evaluate media for creativity, continuity,
technical qualities, ethical sensitivity, and
emotional and social impact.
3. Communicate thoughts clearly,
succinctly and persuasively in textual
and visual formats.

43. Homework
Professor Kha and I will select the groups
based off of survey results, a questionnaire,
and a few other factors.
Check Courses for the full list of available
assignments.
Be sure to write your blog before the end of
class!