Telecommunications
Course Description

Michael Kaufman – Instructor

586-783-6570 ext. 1361

kaufmmi@lc-ps.org

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Telecommunications program is a two (2) year course designed to prepare students to explore careers in the television production field and to develop essential skills for employment in this field.  Training will involve studio exercises, which include the use of cameras, teleprompter, video, switcher, audio board, color graphics computer, videotape operation and staging.  This course emphasizes a hands-on approach to skill development with individual and group projects.  All equipment is state of the art and equals all broadcast and commercial standards. 

GRADING AND EVALUATION

All assignments are given a point value.  All points are added together, and divided by the actual assignment grades.  Typically homework assignments are worth 10 points each, quizzes are between 10 to 20 points and projects are worth 50 points.  Each card marking is worth 40% of the final semester grade.  The final exam is a combination of video project and written test which is worth 20% of the semester grade.  .

Class Participation:  Since this class is project oriented and primarily deals with group/team participation your attendance and participation is extremely important in determining your grade. 

Journals/ Writing Assignments:  Journal notebooks are to be kept documenting your work on a given project.  Clear production plans should be written prior to each shoot, and will be assessed on format, clarity, and neatness.

Extra Credit:  A student may receive extra credit for additional projects at the discretion and approval of the instructor.

The following table shows how letter grades are determined

The Frederick V. Pankow Center will use the district policy of using the letter grades of “A” through “F”.

Percent	Grade	Point System
101% and above	A+	4.33
93 - 100%	A	4.00
90 -  92%	A-	3.67
87 - 89%	B+	3.33
83 - 86%	B	3.00
80 - 82%	B-	2.67
77 - 79%	C+	2.33
73 - 76%	C	2.00
70 - 72%	C-	1.67
67 - 69%	D+	1.33
63 - 66%	D	1.00
60 - 62%	D-	0.67
Below 60%	F	0.00
Credit	CR	0.00
No Credit	NC	0.00
Incomplete	I	0.00

Required Class Materials

Students are required to have a notebook with pockets for holding all handouts as well as pens, pencils, and paper.  A three-ring binder is helpful for organizing class materials.

Course Objectives

The student should be able to:

• Understand and use television production terminology
• Create and evaluate storyboards
• Work cooperatively in teams to create video productions
• Perform on camera in an articulate and professional manner appropriate to your audience
• Use all television equipment in the studio including, but not limited to, all cameras, character generator (CG), video switcher, sound mixer and video editing software.
• Explain and demonstrate the difference between numerous video genres, including, but not limited to:  music videos, advertisements, interviews, electronic field production (EFP), electronic news gathering (ENG), and public service announcement (PSA).
• Understand and demonstrate sensitivity for the student and faculty audience.
• Demonstrate verbal and nonverbal communication skills in a format appropriate for student and faculty in a school setting.
• Demonstrate respect for the television production equipment and the studio
• Demonstrate responsible behavior in the production room and when shooting video outside of class

Rules  Concerning  Assignments

1.         You are RESPONSIBLE for all video equipment that is in your care.  Should any malfunction or breakage of equipment occur while it is in your care, you are to write a report stating what the damage is and how it occurred.  Unless you follow all directions and maintenance procedures properly  you will not be allowed to work with the video equipment and will receive an alternative assignment(s) of a research nature.

2.         You are RESPONSIBLE to save all returned work and to bring all required materials to class.

3.         If you have an unexcused absence in class, you will not be allowed to make up any of the work due that day.

4.         HOMEWORK:  Covering events outside  of  class is required for all students.  You  must cover at least one major event per marking period to pass the course. 

5.         YOU ARE REQUIRED TO WORK AFTER SCHOOL ON VIDEO PROJECTS - THIS IS YOUR PRIMARY FORM OF HOMEWORK FOR THIS CLASS!!!

Learn to schedule your time appropriately

Rules  Concerning  Classroom  Conduct

1.         When the bell rings, you are to be in your seat ready for class.  If you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you will be considered tardy.  YOU MAY NOT CHANGE SEATS UNLESS APPROVED BY THE INSTRUCTOR.  You may NOT be in any workspace without permission.

2.         When the closing bell rings you are to be in your seat or nobody may leave the room.

3.         No food, drink or gum is allowed in the classroom.  You may not wear a hat in class.  Points will be deducted from your performance if you wear a hat or chew gum during it.

4.         All work on camera must be appropriate for a high school audience in an educational setting.  If you are unsure what that means, you are to check with your instructor.  Inappropriate behavior on camera may result in suspension of equipment privileges resulting in an alternative research project.

Equipment Usage:

Students are responsible to maintain all equipment in good working order.  Misuse or abuse of the equipment may result in dismissal from the class.