WKU Interactive Elect Tech

this is it

2010-05-03T17:35:00.002-05:00

Last Blog Post
Your first blog posts back in Jan/Feb dealt with your impressions of online journalism and the technical side of journalism and publishing. There was also a prompt about what you expected to get out of this class. Go back in your archives and read those posts.
Write a blog post about how and why your impressions have (or have not) changed and why. Did you get what you expected out of this class?

Final Exam
is this Monday night.

Study the answers for Quiz#1 and Quiz#2 as some of that material will reappear in addition to new material we've covered since the last quiz.

While this is an overview of most of the items that are on the test, remember that all your class notes from lecture and assigned reading (both online and text) are fair game for the final.

But specifically, if I were you, I would know:
--basics of html
--new methods of news delivery (rss, podcasting, widgets, etc)
--libel/slander, obscenity/indecency, and online ethics
--blogs and journalism
--basics of photoshop and indesign
--ways to make money from a news site and online ad formats
--Video/Multimedia
--Social Networking and news
--Principles of effective web and print design
--You should have an idea of "the big picture" of how all this technology affects journalism and the end news consumer

for May 3

2010-04-26T17:27:00.000-05:00

Text Reading
Read Chapter 12

Online Reading
--http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2007/06/your-guide-to-online-advertising178.html
--http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2009/06/04/how-the-web-changed-the-economics-of-news-in-all-media
--http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2007/07/31/advice-for-journalism-graduates
--http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2009/advice-for-journalism-students-now

Blog Post #10
Do you think the pressures of "the bottom line" (need for revenue) on news organizations are affecting journalism?

Project #4 (video)
Should be online and viewable by the beginning of class on May 3

for apr26

2010-04-19T22:13:00.003-05:00

Text Reading
None.

Online Reading
--http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2006/09/your-guide-to-citizen-journalism270.html
--http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=83126

Blog Post
None.

Project #5 (video)
The video project is due at the start of class on May-03. You should have your video posted (using a YouTube embed) your website's portfolio page.

Use the equipment and video editing software we have learned in class to create a show that is around 3 minutes long. (2:30 would be too short -- 4 minutes would be too long)

This project is worth 100pts. Those points will be assigned on the following criteria in addition to the instructions above and the style/design elements that we've discussed in class:
1) Can I click play on a player on your page and watch a video or photoshow?
2) The show should tell a story or make a point and not just be a bunch of random shots.
3) There should be some production value to the piece. The visuals are clear. The audio is clear and understandable. The editing looks sharp.

Do you have the equipment needed to do this project? If not, you can visit http://www.wku.edu/infotech/index.php?page=TRC or visit the journalism multimedia center to check out video cameras and other equipment.

for Apr 19

2010-04-12T18:09:00.002-05:00

Text Reading
None

Online Reading
--Go through all the steps in this tutorial:
http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/technology/tutorials/graphics/imovie/2camera.html
--If you didn't read it last week, look at Chapter 10 of http://www.j-lab.org/Journalism_20.pdf

Blog Post
Another freewrite. Write a post about a subject that's related to your major/concentration.

Project #4 (podcast)
Remember your podcast project is due this Monday night.

Project #5 (video)
Approx 3 minute video that tells a story. Due May 3.

for Apr12

2010-04-05T17:30:00.001-05:00

Text Reading
You were assigned to read Chapter 10 in the textbook a few weeks ago. If you didn't read it (gulp) then, read it now. (And if you did read it, you may want to skim over it again.)

Online Reading
Read Chapters 9 and 10 (pgs 89-114) of http://www.j-lab.org/Journalism_20.pdf

Blog Post #8
React to this: http://mashable.com/2009/12/09/future-journalist/ Do you agree? What (if anything) would you add to this list? Which of the 8 do you feel are the most important?

Quiz #2
will happen this Monday night. It covers all text/online readings and class notes from March 1 to April 5

Project #4 (podcast)
is due on April 19th.

for Apr5

2010-03-29T17:30:00.001-05:00

Text Reading
Chapter 9

Online Reading
Read Chapter 4 (pgs 41-51) of http://www.j-lab.org/Journalism_20.pdf
If you're not familiar with Excel, work your way through the links in this: http://people.usd.edu/~bwjames/tut/excel/

Blog Post #7
Freewrite.
Remember you subscribed to several RSS feeds in your Google reader? Take a look at the blog posts, articles, etc that have come into your reader, pick one, and react to it on your blog. Remember to reference the original with a link so I (and your other readers) can get a clue of what you're talking about.
Remember you need to start shaping a focus for your blog that relates to your personal brand. If you're a PR person, you should post about PR related things. Ad people should talk about advertising. Photo people about photos, etc.
If you can't find anything in your Google Reader, you can scout around for something in the right hand sidebar of this blog under the heading "Dig a little deeper"

Project #4 (podcast)
The podcast project is due by the start of class on April 19.

Use GarageBand, Audacity, or other audio editor to create a podcast. Since you are unable to upload audio to your wordpress.com blog, use your podcast as an audio cast in a video/photo slideshow that you upload to YouTube. (Images can either be pics or title card)
Embed the YouTube video into a blog post and also include it on your web site's portfolio page.

(Optionally, you can also upload the podcast to iTunes using GarageBand.)

Remember, as we discussed in class, that it should be more than just a link. There should be some sort of outline / synopisis text of what the podcast is about that makes the user want to click to listen.

You should be the host/narrator/reporter for the podcast. The subject of the podcast is up to you.
As indictated on the syllabus, this project is worth 100pts. Those points will be assigned on the following criteria:
1) Can I click a link on the portfolio page on your website (or blog post) and listen to a functioning audio file?
2) Is there some "production value" to the podcast? Is it just 3 minutes of your voice or are there other elements (music, interviews, co-hosts, etc) to make it sound bigger and better?
3) Audio quality - Does it sound like you recorded it in a metal can in a loud bar on a cell phone -- or is the audio clear and the content listenable?
4) Is it 2-3 minutes long? Does it have a point? Is it entertaining/informative?

Need audio equipment? ---> http://www.wku.edu/infotech/index.php?page=TRC or use Journalism checkout.

for mar29

2010-03-22T21:20:00.002-05:00

Text Reading
Chapter 10

Online Reading
Read: http://podcasting.about.com/od/basics101/a/whatis.htm
Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hrBbczS9I0

Blog Post #6
React to these thoughts from Dave Winer: http://www.podcastingnews.com/2010/01/26/dave-winer-reinventing-journalism/

Project #3
Eemember your print poster project is due at the beginning of class.

for mar22

2010-03-15T17:30:00.001-05:00

Text Reading
Read Chapter 11

Online Reading
--http://www.slate.com/id/2233152
--http://www.ojr.org/ojr/wiki/ethics
--Read pages 16-40 of http://www.j-lab.org/Journalism_20.pdf

Blog Post #5
There are so many ways to "get" news now -- on your mobile phone, through an RSS feed, etc. Do you think most of the audience is ready and/or using these types of technologies? How do you think people will get news in 10 or 15 years? Will it be through a standard desktop computer -- or through some other type of technology?

Project #3 (Print Poster)
Design a poster for an event using Photoshop / InDesign / and design principles we've discussed in class.

Ideally, you should choose an event / organization that could use your work so that you're getting something useful out of the project. Clubs, greek orgs, churches, or other organizations that you're a member of would be good possibilities. If you can't come up with an event that you're involved with, you can select one at random from www.bgdailynews.com/calendar

The poster should include at least three elements:

at least one eyecatching graphic/photo
a good headline
compelling body copy

It will be minimally sized at 51 picas x 66 picas (can be larger if you prefer) with a full bleed.

Your syllabus says that the poster project will be worth 100 points. Those 100 points will awarded on the following criteria:
10pts - Project completed on time, on spec
15pts - Use of good design principles (balance, structure, organization, etc)
15pts - Use of good design aesthetics (color, typography, etc)
30pts - Message Communication (can I understand what the event is about and does the poster make me want to come?)
30pts - General creativity

You should post a PDF of the project to your portfolio page on your web site and you should turn in a hard copy printout of the poster. Both these are due at the beginning of class on 3/29.

for Mar8 and Mar15

2010-03-01T16:24:00.002-06:00

You need to have your photo show live on your site by March 8th.

But otherwise, nothing else is due for the 8th and 15th

Have a good break.

for Mar1

2010-02-22T17:42:00.004-06:00

Text Reading
None

Online Reading
--Read http://garrreynolds.com/Design/basics.html
--Watch the "getting started" videos at http://www.adobe.com/support/indesign/

Blog Post #4
Read http://garrreynolds.com/Design/whydesign.html and respond to it. Does design matter?

Project #2 (photo show)
I'm delaying the due date of this project until March 8. (see last week for assignment) so we can discuss how to upload this Monday. Mar-8 is the beginning of spring break so you'll be able to upload it anytime in the week prior.

for feb22

2010-02-15T17:30:00.002-06:00

Text Reading
None

Online Reading
--http://www.adobe.com/education/webtech/CS2/unit_planning2/ib_getstarted.htm (all 9 lessons)

Blog Post #3
Write a blog post that relates the expression "A picture is worth a thousand words" to news outlets (as well as other printed materials such as books, magazines, etc) Are pictures/graphics important in communicating information? Can stories be told with pictures that can't be told with words?

Project #2 (due Mar-1)
Using iPhoto (and Photoshop), create a photo slideshow that tells a story. The photo show will have at least 7 photos and not more than 20.
Post the slideshow in the Portfolio section of your web site by the beginning of class on March 1st.
(need a better camera? Check one out at the Technology Resource Center in MMTH 257
http://www.wku.edu/infotech/index.php?page=TRC)

Quiz#1
Remember there will be a quiz Monday night 2/22

for Feb15

2010-02-08T17:30:00.003-06:00

Text Reading
None

Online Reading
--http://www.adobe.com/education/webtech/CS/unit_graphics1/psb_home.htm (all 7 lessons)
--http://www.adobe.com/education/webtech/CS/unit_graphics1/pcb_home.htm (all 5 lessons)

Blog Post #2
Read this post:
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2008/09/embedded_at_nyuold_thinking_pe.html from a journalism student at NYU. Write a post on your blog with your thoughts and reaction to this student's post.

(and you don't have to read this part if you don't want to -- but here's what happened after Alana wrote that post.)

Project #1 (Web site / blog)
You should have a fully customized and complete website/blog on your username.wordpress.com account by the begining of class.

In addition to the customization steps assigned last week, your site should have the following things done:

As we discussed tonight, your website will have the following items:

1) About you -- This functions as the thesis of your site. This page should be a quick overview of you and what they can learn on your site. It's like a mini-cover letter and/or elevator speech. There should be at least one professional photo of you either on this page or in the sidebar for all pages.

2) Resume -- If you don't currently have a resume and don't know what you should include, you can find out here here or elsewhere on the web. Remember that this information will be on the internet. Don't feel that you have to disclose any personal information in your resume that you wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with the world (like your phone, address, etc). However, you do need a way for people or potential employers to contact you on the site (such as an email address). Also remember that your references may not like having their private contact info shared on the web either.

Your resume can either be a page by itself or posted as a PDF linked from the About page

3) Portfolio -- This page may be kind of sparse right now. If you have any work from previous classes, you can put it here. But EVERYONE should list at least one thing here: the blog itself.

We will be adding things to this page as the semester progresses.

4) Additional pages as you find necessary (optional)

*****

Remember that there needs to be a clear navigation structure across the site so users don't wind up on a dead end page. You should be able to go between any two pages on your site with just one click. Also there should be a consistent look (colors, fonts, layout, etc) across all the pages.

Your syllabus says that the website project will be worth 100 points. Those 100 points will awarded on the following criteria:
10pts - Does the student have a functioning live website / blog with the minimum requirements above?
30pts - Navigation: Is the website easy to maneuver? Do all the links work?
30pts - Design: Is the site pleasing to the eye? Does it have a professional look?
30pts - Content: Is the content on the site complete? Does it make sense? This includes grammar, spelling, etc.

for Feb 8

2010-02-01T21:23:00.002-06:00

Text Reading
Chapter 3 (Foust)

Online Reading
--http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_intro.asp
--http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_intro.asp

Blog Customization
You should have the following things done to your blog. I have listed them below by the menu item in your dashboard. You may have done some of these in class before you left Monday night.
--Posts--
Under "edit", delete the "hello world" post.
Under "add new", post the blog post you emailed to me the first night of class
Under "categories", change Uncatagorized to Jour232 (or something similar). You'll file all the blog posts I assign you under this category. You can also create other categoreies as needed, if you want.

--Links--
Under "edit", delete the wordpress links.
Under "add new", add some links (at least 2 or 3 -- more if you want) in your specialization that you think would benefit your readers.

--Appearance--
(OPTIONAL) Under "themes", activate another theme to change the way your blog looks.

--Users--
Under "authors and users", edit yourself so that your posts are written by "FirstName Last Name" rather than your blog username

--Settings--
Under "General", change your blog's title and tagline to something appropriate. Change the time zone to UTC -6

(OPTIONAL)Under "Discussion" and "Privacy", change your settings to whatever level of security you would like.

VERY IMPORTANT
email me (chris.houchens@wku.edu) the address of your blog (username.wordpress.com) so I can give you a grade this week (and the rest of the semester)

for feb1

2010-01-25T15:13:00.002-06:00

You should do the following to be prepared for class on Feb 1:

Text Reading
Read and be prepared to discuss Chapters 1 and 2 of the Foust "online journalism" textbook.

Online Reading
Read the info on the Brand You initiative at the WKU Fusion site.

Blog Post #1
If you didn't do it tonight, email me the prompts of your current impressions of the technical side of journalism and publishing and what you expect to get out of this class.

Begin the process to set up your web site / blog
You should make the decision if you're going to use a free Wordpress.com hosted site or if you're going to make the investment in your future and purchase your own domain name and a hosting package.
(You're also free to use Blogger, Typepad, iMac, or other blog/web platform -- but we will primarily discuss Wordpress in class)

1) If you choose the free Wordpress hosted site...

Come up with some professional / timeless usernames using the criteria we discussed in class
(If you'd like, you can email me your potential username choices and I'll give you my opinion on which would be best.)

Visit Wordpress.com and sign up for an account with one of those usernames

SAVE the login info that they will email you. We'll begin working on your site on Feb 1

22) If you choose to purchase your own domain and hosting...

Come up with some potential domain names for yourself using the criteria we discussed in class.
(If you'd like, you can email me your potential domain name choices and I'll give you my opinion on which would be best.)

Purchase a domain/hosting package using one of the vendors on the Brand You page. You'll be fine with the economy/budget or other lowest hosting package they have for now. You can upgrade later if you want.
(You can use any domain/hosting vendor you want. Just make sure that a one-click install of Wordpress and at least one MySQL database is included in your hosting.

SAVE the login info that they will email you. We will install Wordpress at the beginning of the next class