COURSE SYLLABUS

CBTE 177 - Acrobat PDF Creation

CRN# 68940

 1 Unit
Spring 2010
Instructor Office Phone E-mail Address
Karen Owen 619-388-2235

 kowen@sdccd.edu
Website support http://homework.sdmesa.edu/kowen/CBTE177/CBTE177.htm

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

Course Description

Students will develop the skills to create documents that are secure and can be posted online or distributed in print format. Students learn to create Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) documents, the standard file format for portable documents, for print and for the Internet. Students master file optimization and accessibility, editing features, embedding multimedia, interactive navigational tools, creating interactive forms, and implementing security. Students will learn to identify and handle the critical issues relating to clients, printers, web masters.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

  1. Explain why PDF documents are widely used in business and organizations and their role in the gathering and distribution of information.
  2. Convert print documents and Webpages to PDF format to ensure security, authenticity, and document format predictability.
  3. Analyze the need for and customize PDF output by adding multimedia, form fields, navigation tools, and layers.
  4. Explain the role of Acrobat in the document review cycle.
  5. Add document navigational features such as bookmarks, linked table of contents and indexes, add pagination, and insert page thumbnails.
  6. Create interactive multimedia presentations.
  7. Create PDF fill-in forms.
  8. Implement security measures appropriate to the intended audience.
  9. Evaluate the document for ease of use, appropriateness of any navigation, multimedia, form fields, security and signatures.
  10. Test the electronic PDF document for usability and accessibility.
  11. Manage fonts, color, and compression issues for both print and electronic PDF output.
  12. Identify and demonstrate the skills needed to work with clients, printers, web masters, and team members.

Advisory: CBTE 114 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and CBTE 161 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent

Grade only

POLICES

Disabled Student Programs and Services

Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with the Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS) immediately.

Call or visit Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS) located in the H-200 Building on the San Diego Mesa College campus. 

Academic Integrity

Enrollment in college assumes maturity, seriousness of purpose and self-discipline.  Every student is expected to fulfill the requirements of all classes for which they are registered. (See College Policy 3110.)

Important Dates

First day of course
Apr. 12
Deadline to receive, process and pay for Add Codes; and to drop classes with no “W” recorded
Apr. 16
Last day to drop and be eligible for refund of enrollment fees and/or non-resident tuition
Apr. 19
Withdrawal deadline - No drops accepted after this date; will receive a "W"
May 6
Last day to submit on line work; all work must be turned in by 12 midnight
May 22

COURSE TEXTBOOK AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Textbook: Adobe Acrobat 9: Classroom in a Book (for Windows and Macintosh) by Adobe Creative Team ISBN 978-0-321-55297-6 first edition.

Software: Adobe Acrobat 9 Professional PC or Mac (If you do not have Acrobat 9 Professional, go to K-404 at Mesa College during open lab hours.)
NOTE: There are a few differences between the PC and the Mac version.

You can purchase your software anywhere; here are a few places you can consider:

  • The Foundation for California Community Colleges
    The Foundation for the California Community Colleges has negotiated a special price for students. - CollegeSoftware.org
    • Adobe software is also available through CollegeSoftware.org
      • Adobe Acrobat 9 Professional for Win or Mac = about $70
      • Adobe Creative Suite 4 bundles for Win and Mac
        (selected Adobe software and Acrobat 9 Professional)
        • CS4 Web Premium = about $260
        • CS4 Master Collection = about $510
      • Other Adobe software and software bundles for Win and Mac are also available.
    • Microsoft Office 2007 Professional (Publisher, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, and Word) = about $80 - You will need to verify your enrollment, either online, email or fax. Follow the steps on the Websites.
  • Mesa College Bookstore http://www.bookstore.sdccd.edu has a variety of software. Call the bookstore, visit their Websites, or stop by to see their selection.

Make sure that any software you purchase will work with your computer and operating system. Shop around for the service and price that best suites your needs.

Vista Hardware and Software Requirements

Hardware

Software
  • Acrobat Reader (click here for a free download) Please note: the reader allows users to READ PDF documents, but NOT create them. You need Acrobat 8 Professional to create PDF documents.
  • A file compression application; both Windows XP and Mac OS 10 come with a compression application. Right-click on the folder to access the zip (compression) application.
  • Flash Player (click here to download)
  • QuickTime Player (click here to download)

Students who do not have access to the equipment, software, and services necessary to complete this course at home may use the resources at Mesa College. Computers are available for use in the LRC or the CBTE Department classroom K404

Internet Access

You will also need to have an ISP (Internet Service Provider) in order to take the online portion of this course.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CBT 177

  1. Print out this syllabus and read it.
  2. You may order the optional textbook for this course online or buy it in the Mesa College Bookstore.  For complete ordering directions, read the section in this syllabus on textbook and ordering Information. 
  3. Before starting work on the online portion of this course, study the Using Vista's tools section, which shows you how to use the Vista tools so that you can successfully complete the online lessons. You will find the link to the student tutorials on the homepage.
  4. The assignments and quizzes that you will be turning in to be graded are listed in this syllabus. Work is due within the week it is assigned. Please email me if you cannot complete the work that week.
  5. If any of the assignments or quizzes are missing, you will receive a ZERO for that assignment.
  6. Each quiz may be redone. You will receive the higher of the two grades.
  7. Please allow a minimum of 72 hours for assignments and tests to be corrected, a response to be sent to you, and your grade to be entered into the grade log. If I do not check your submissions or email during the weekend, I will do so on Monday.

  8. Any changes to this syllabus will be posted.
  9. Be sure to check both your E-mail and the Discussion Board frequently.
  10. Sometimes unforeseen circumstance arises that prevents the student from finishing his/her work for the course. The final decision on whether to grant an incomplete grade will be based on several factors and is entirely up to the instructor.  If you are requesting an Incomplete to be given to you for this course, you must contact your instructor before the end of the course.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING SCALE

Week Topics Activities and Assessment

Pts

Watching tutorials (All video tutorials are optional and an alternate presentation of the information in your textbook.)
Week 1

Textbook, Adobe Acrobat 9 Classroom in a Book

  • Ch. 1 -Introducing Adobe Acrobat, pp.6-23 (about 45 minutes)
  • Ch. 2 - Looking at the Work Area, pp. 24-44 (about 30 minutes)
  • Ch. 3 - Creating Adobe PDF Files, pp. 46-73 (about 60 minutes)

Read the syllabus

  

All lessons and assignments are under the LESSONS icon >WEEK ONE icon

Read Ch. 1-3 pp.6-73

  • Ch3-assign
  1. Turn in all exercise files for Chapter 3. Save all as PDFs even if the directions are not specific about saving into the PDF format.
  2. Put the files in a folder called lesson03-complete. Zip the lesson03-complete folder and submit it through the assignment drop box.
  3. Skip pp. 62-65 (Scanning a paper document and Converting emails to PDF)
  4. Skip pp. 70-72 (Conveting web pages in Internet Explorer (Windows))

50
  • les1-2_createPDF
10
  • les1-3_createPDF_from_webpages
10
  • les1-4_createPDF_multiple_files

20
Week 2
  • Ch. 5 - Combining Files in PDF Portfolios, pp. 96-112 (about (about 45 minutes)
  • Ch. 6 - Reading and Working with PDF files, pp. 114-143 (about 60 minutes)

All lessons and assignments are under the LESSONS icon >WEEK TWO icon

Read Ch. 5-6 and do the exercises pp.96-143

 
  • Ch 5-assign

50
  • Ch 6-assign

50
  • Les2-1 Typewriter feature in Acobat assignment

10
  • Les2-2 Read poem out loud assessment

10
Week 3
  • Ch. 7 - Enhancing and Editing PDF Documents , pp. 144-171 (about 45 minutes)

All lessons and assignments are under the LESSONS icon >WEEK THREE icon

Read Ch. 7 and do the exercises

50
  • les3-1_extract_delete_insert_pages (review)
20
  • les3-2_adding_changing_text_graphics
20
  • les3-3_adding_navigation_bookmarks (review)
20
Discussion Board - tell the class about the subject for your 4-5 page presentation, which you will share with the class in week 6.
10
Week 4
  • Ch. 8 - Adding Signature and Security, pp. 172-196
  • Ch. 9 - Using Acrobat in a Review Cycle, pp. 198-218

All lessons and assignments are under the LESSONS icon >WEEK FOUR icon

  
  • Read Ch. 8 and do the exercises
50
  • Read Ch. 9 and do the exercises
50
  • les4-1_adding_textbox_stickynotes - 20 pts.
20
Week 5

Ch. 10 - Working with Forms in Acrobat, pp. 220-238

 

 All lessons and assignments are under the LESSONS icon >WEEK FIVE icon  
Read Ch. 10 and do the exercises
50
  • Create a simple form 50 pts.
50
Week 6

Ch. 11 - Creating Multimedia Presentations, pp. 240-253 (about 60 minutes)

All lessons and assignments are under the LESSONS icon >WEEK SIX icon

Read Ch. 11 and do the exercises

50
Final Project

Presentation project - 100 pts. (See criteria and instructions below.)

This week, you will submit a PDF presentation. You can use any software application you'd like, such as Powerpoint, Illustrator or InDesign.

Instructions

  • You will share your presentation online with the class through the discussion board.
  • Submit it online by Monday at midnight, in WEEK 6.
  • Use the Multimedia database or other Mesa College online resources. Click on the Mesa Online Library button on the homepage to access the library databases.

Criteria

  1. 4-5 pages (Use PowerPoint, Illustrator, InDesign, Word, a webpage or any application that can be used to create a PDF)
  2. Text
  3. Images (at least 1)
  4. Bookmarks
  5. One link to a webpage
  6. Navigation buttons to each slide/page so users can move to the next and previous page in the FULL SCREEN MODE.
  7. Audio or video for extra credit (25 pt)

    AND/OR
  8. Form with fields for extra credit (25 pt)

PDF project - 100 pts (to be completed by the end of week four and presented at last on-campus class meeting)

100
 

Your grade will be based on your assignments, quizzes, and projects.

Grading Scale
A =
90
- 100%
B =
80
-89
C =
70
-79
D =
60
-69
F =
59
 - below