Coming to a close
Following a semester of in-depth reporting and finding stories, it is safe to say it is time to take a breath and have a sigh of relief. It is completed and I can now see a final product. I worked very hard over the course of the semester and have to say I am quite proud of my final product. I learned alot about time management and how important it is to stay ahead of the game. I also learned the importance of contantly generating ideas about a topic that way you always have a backup plan and are constantly preparing for the next story. It was difficult at times to have a suberb final product when interviews didn’t go as I had planned so it was important to be prepared for things to change.
Overall, I enjoyed working on this project and educating students on making money using odd jobs. I hope it is proof of my passion and hardworking attitude for journalism. It will be a great showcase of my work and I am glad this class forced me to test my talents and try new things. I encourage all journalism majors take this course to not only develop your portfolio but use it as a way to challenge yourself in new ways. The field is changing so much that it is important to be prepared for whatever lies ahead. In this case, online multimedia.
Comments on classmates blogs
- http://steveboyle36.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/mistakes/#comments
- http://rachelciarleglio.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/interview-with-up-and-coming-tattoo-artist/#comment-4
- http://courthammond.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/a-tv-reality-star-gives-his-pets-the-boot/#comment-5
- http://daniellekoch.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/reaction-post-2/#comments
- http://daniellekoch.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/research-post-2-recession-leads-to-delayed-marriage/#comment-6
- http://lilymlee.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/gawker/#comment-5
- http://melanytroy.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/network-network network/#comment-9
- http://davidtopp.wordpress.com/becoming-towson/#comment-52
- http://kennethstukes.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/slain-13-year-old-bomichael-brewery/#comment-14
- http://williampearce.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/a-lifelong-apprenticeship/#comment-9
- http://melanytroy.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/mediastorm-the-black-market/#comment-19
- http://meaganeisner.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/working-hard-to-achieve-the-dream/#comment-18
- http://tymacleod.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/women-more-adept-as-small-business-owners/#comment-32
- http://rhiannon86.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/cutesy-blog-black-coffee-and-a-donut-brings-the-lols-and-sweet-ideas-for-halloween/#comment-17
- http://davidtopp.wordpress.com/american-soccer-its-getting-there/#comment-83
Afro-Latin Americans
Storytelling and how to storytell is one of the things everchanging in this world. From books to videos to writing and more, you can tell a story in a variety of ways. With the increased use of the Internet, people have to find new and effective ways to tell stories online. The MiamiHerald.com site has gone well above and beyond typical online storytelling with their, “A Rising Voice: Afro-Latin Americans” series.
This Web site offers a enormous variety of resources for the viewer about this culture and how it has changed over the years. From pictures to interactive maps, to articles and introductions, this method is certainly the way to go.
One of the main things I liked about this site is you can choose what you want to know about and when. It is a beautiful site and easy to navigate so viewers can teach themselves and learn based on their interests.
This Web site I believe would be certainly effective, the interactive map especially would gather people to the site, Not only does it provide interesting and valuable information, but it also provides tid-bits of information to add even more to the standard map.
Breaking the site up into multiple parts, makes it easier to navigate and lessens the fear factor of extensive information which can be overwhelming. Check the site our for yourself you are certainly in for a treat. It caters to the viewer. Its all about you!
Interactive maps, a way of the future
Interactive maps are becoming a way of the future, incorporating updated information and in a way that is easy for viewers to understand and relate to. The Web site 10,000 Words shows multiple maps that prove this point.
One map, titled Public911.com is like an interactive police radar. Updating viewers on 911 calls, both active and closed. This is a great way for viewers to stay updated with crime and emergencies in their area. What a way this country has come in keeping people updated and safe.
Courtesy of http://www.10000words.net
Another map, FluTracker is very helpful for the current dilemma of Swine Flu. With the ongoing concern arising from H1N1, this map helps ease peoples minds. It shows the number of cases in each area of the U.S. and allows a zoom tool so viewers can gather more information about specific cases in their area. Its the new age health tracker. What did people do in the days of the Bubonic Plague?
Courtesy of http://www.10000words.net
Finally, Vidmap is an excellent tool. This interactive map incorporates video as well. It allows the viewer to see exactly where they are as if they were there. All you have to do is click on a spot on the map and a video of that area will come up as supplemental material. Who needs a printed map or atlas? Old days. This map is the way of the future and an interesting way to relate and draw viewers into the area. Check it out for yourself.
Update from Chrys Wu
On Monday, I had the pleasure of hearing a talk from Chrys Wu, an active member of the journalism field with a focus in editorial consultanting. She has experience in print, audio, video and online storytelling, research and Web design.
Wu spoke to a class of roughly 17 students about how to prepare for the field and what to expect when you get there. She had a great deal of advice and portrayed it in a fun and humourous way. The most important piece of advice she gave as far as I’m concerned is that whatever you want to do with your degree, do it now!
I intend to continue to take her advice and read and write as much as I can to make my writing the best it can be, continue to use multimedia to put a package together and show that to possible employers as well.
Overall, Wu was a very valuable speaker and had a lot of great advice and imformation to give to my fellow students and myself. I would encourage my viewers to take a look at her blog and follow Chrys WU on twitter.
Michelle Obama photo gallery
Courtesy of The Washington Post, I viewed a photo gallery of First Lady Michelle Obama. There were roughly 43 photos all of her and different things she has done. I enjoyed most the photos from different angles. It made the photo more appealing to the eye. Or photos where she was doing something different in them. For example, the first photo we see, Obama is sitting with a breast cancer survivor, the wave she is doing with her hand is both cute and intrigues the viewer into the photo.
Overall, I liked this gallery. With a high profile person like Mrs. Obama, it is always fun to feel like you get a glimpse into their busy life. Through this gallery I felt like I could relate more to Obama and the photos are always an interesting way of doing that. The gallery was interesting to me and I read every caption of every photo. I also enjoyed how each photo tried to catch Obama in a new light and setting. This made for a much more interesting gallery.
I have no complaints about this and I think that everything was done well, the eye-catching appeal of the Web site, the borders around the photos and the photos themselves. I would recommend this site to others for viewing photos in a clear and concise manner.
Two Talking apes
Two tallking apes, not something you hear about everyday. But not only do you get to read about it, it’s as if you were there when you hit “play” on the podcast. The Web site and podcast titled, A Voluble Visit with Two Talking Apes is about Kanzi and Panbanisha, two apes that not only understand what humans say, but they can communicate back to them. After a series of tests it has been confirmed that no other outside factors have played a part, these apes have simply associated with humans and learned the art of the English language.
Overall, the story was very interesting. It was long after a while and it is hard to get drawn into the scene if you do not know that much about it. This is why the supplemental podcast is very helpful. You get to hear the background of the apes and it feels like you are there. It is an interesting story and the podcast just helps the viewer to feel like they are interacting more with the topic. The ape sounds in the backgroud really give off a nice vibe.
I would like to see more stories done like this. However, it would have been neat to have some video footage or more photos other than just one to add to the story as well. I was left thinking, “I want to see it.”
Information gathered from readings
Two of the readings that have been assigned for class that I will talk about are chapter four in the Ward text on online writing. This reading can be found by searching at a library for Online Journalism by Mike Ward. I will also be discussing the Multimedia Design: Navigation Maps and Storyboards online reading.
Let’s begin in the ward text. Now, I think I am a good writer, I write all the time and have taken the proper courses to teach me how to write effectivly. However, it is a great teaching tool to reiterate things from the beginning. Allowing myself to hear again, write direct sentences and dont write to long, write for a purpose. Those things are essential to hear over and over and over again. One thing in particular that stood out to me and that I have already used countless times in my writing is where is says, “…limit each to communicating one basic thought or piece of information.” (Ward, p. 105) I could go on and on about the things I learned in this text, but the main things that helped me were reiterating the basics in a straight forward, elementary manner.
As far as the online resource, I learned about all the different types of online structures and storyboards. I didn’t realize there were so many option or that, that much thought went into the structure of online. I think the basic ones are easier to follow and would be more reader friendly. The linear and hierarchical structures seem to be the most basic. Basic is not always bad and like the Ward readings expressed if a viewer has to go to to much effort or it’s to long, your story will not get read. So why not stick with the basics.
These readings helped reiterate a lot of points to me and I will continue to think about these things when working on my own projects and stories as well as reflecting on other peoples.
Ira Glass on storytelling
After watching the four parts to Ira Glass’s storytelling videos, I wast left with a lot of advice and information. What he had to say was good and valuable, however, as a journalist and obviously savvy with multimedia and technology, why would he make such a boring video? The coloring was dull, there was nothing exciting going on and I was overall very bored. I felt like I was being lectured at. Although his information was valuable and he obviously knows what he is talking about he did not keep my attention. I just kept thinking, “when is this going to spice up?” On a positive note, I thought it was very smart to split the videos up into four parts. This way the viewer isn’t commited to 25 minutes of Ira Glass. They can watch one and then wait and watch another. It takes up less time, making the videos more effective. What he had to say was valuable and essential to students learning. He made me think twice about things and make sure that I write for the viewer and have good taste. He tried to make the videos conversational as well. This was an educational video and the content was good, I just would ask that someone of his caliber make a video that makes readers want to stay tuned for their own purposes rather for a professors instruction. The easiest way to view the video is to go to YouTube and search Ira Glass on storytelling.
BASIC, an informative message
The articles that decribe the BASIC principals of online journalism was very helpful. Some of the things that the articles discussed I was aware of and others were some things I hadn’t thought of. Everything that was mentioned provided a good way to better market and put out a good final product. BASIC is an acronym for berevity, adaptability, scanability, interactivity and community and conversation. One thing I found particular interesting was scanability. This is something I was aware of, making the page reader friendly so they can move down the page quickly and find what they’re looking for, however, some of the examples the article gave regarding headlines, subheads and links posed good ideas for future planning. Also, helping tell the difference between scanability and interactivity was helpful as well. Interactivity is more multimedia and helping the viewer me more back and forth with the designer of the page. I found this series of articles to be very helpful, and provide me with a better understanding of the in’s and out’s of online journalism. It is far more than posting articles that reports write, you have to make the Web site apply to the audience that is coming to view it with more than just text. All students should read these articles prior to diving into the field of online journalism.
Ashley Rabe 