Assignments: We will have regular, hands-on assignments. These will be ungraded other than to note whether you did them and how thoroughly. That is, a superficial attempt or no product at all will gain you minus marks; the more thoroughly you do an assignment, the more plusses. The evaluation is not based on how well you do an assignment (since previous experience and capability will vary) but how much effort you put into it.
In the end, I will adjust your letter grade up or down if you show a consist pattern of pluses or of minuses.
Final project:
Your grade will be based primarily on your final project. See link for details.