JO 304

Spring 2012 4 Credits Sec. B1: Tuesday, Noon-4 COM B27 Professor: Michelle Johnson Office: COM 203M Office Phone: 617-353-3296 Cell Phone: 617-970-1067 mijohn2@bu.edu Office Hours: Monday, 1-4, Thursday 1-4, or by appointment Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to reporting, writing and producing multimedia stories for the web. Students will explore how online stories differ from stories produced for other platforms and how online newsrooms use current technologies to engage in digital storytelling and delivery of breaking news. Through in-class and online discussions we will evaluate the effectiveness of current technologies and methods used to produce online news. In addition, students will gain valuable experience producing stories on deadline for online publication. Each student will be required to configure and maintain a blog that they will use to critique an assigned news organizations web site throughout the semester, pointing to good (and bad) examples, and analyzing best and worst practices. Through our media partnerships students will have a chance to have their work published on a hyperlocal web site which covers neighborhoods in the Boston area. Guest speakers who currently work on the front lines of online journalism will provide valuable insight and context. Course Objectives

Students will study key industry trends, technologies and multimedia reporting techniques in order to gain an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Web as a journalistic medium. With this knowledge as a foundation, students will learn to produce content specifically for online. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course you will know how to: Write specifically for online. Think web first and produce stories for the web on deadline. Use social media tools to build a following and brand themselves as a multimedia journalist. Produce basic multimedia stories incorporating elements such as slideshows, audio, maps, data visualizations and video. Work solo or in a team environment to produce stories and packages for the web. Curate the torrent of information online to add context to stories. Understand the differences between producing for the web versus other mediums. REQUIREMENTS Textbook

Producing Online News, Ryan Thornburg Links to other assigned reading and examples for discussion will be posted in the syllabus available on online. Required Supplies

SD or SDHC, 4GB or higher for use in a digital camera and audio recorder. Required Accounts Please set up accounts on the following sites: gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, newsu.org. Recommended Equipment You may want to purchase removable storage to transport your work between the lab and home. Examples: 1. A USB thumb drive, 4GB or higher OR 2. A portable hard drive. Tip: Put your name and contact info somewhere on your equipment so that you can be reunited in the event that you leave it in a lab or elsewhere. Equipment Checkout We have an equipment depot located in the basement of the building (B-17) where you can check out cameras, audio recorders and other equipment. You can reserve equipment online at wco.bu.edu. Make sure that you have your student ID with you when you pick up gear. Recommended Software While you are not required to purchase software for this course, you will need access to a number of programs to complete homework, assignments and your final project. If you do not already own this software, you will need to structure your time so that you can work in a lab to complete these assignments. You will need access to the following applications: Microsoft Office (Word, notepad) Adobe Photoshop CS3 or later Audacity (Available as a free download, audacity.sourceforge.net) Soundslides Plus (Trial version available at soundslides.com) Note about the Adobe software: Adobe has released a new version of their Creative Suite, CS5.5, which includes Flash, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc. Our labs are running version CS5. If you purchase or download trial versions of these programs, please make sure to save files in a format thats compatible with CS5. We will also review a number of free or very low-cost options for editing photos, video and publishing online. Course Requirements

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Assignments: Patch.com Media Partnership BU is a partner in the PatchU program, which is meant to give you opportunities to have your work published online. You will be assigned to work with an editor for one of Patchs sites throughout the semester, producing stories and multimedia. You will be required to complete assignments made by your editor and to come up with your own assignments. For grading purposes, you are required to have a minimum of THREE stories or packages such as a photo gallery published online during the semester. You may, of course, produce more than this depending on your interests and the interests of your editor. You should work out a freelancing fee directly with your editor for work that you produce beyond the course requirement.

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Blogging Project: NewsTrack Students will be required to blog a minimum of once a week about an online news site that you will track throughout the semester. This NewsTrack project will be assigned by a drawing held on the first day of class. Students will select a news web site that they will monitor throughout the semester, posting analysis and commentary about work that appears on the site. Examples of questions to explore in your analysis: How well do they integrate multimedia and other features designed to attract and engage their audience? How often do they launch new features? How does their coverage compare to other media (newspaper, TV, etc)?

The audience for your NewsTrack blog is your fellow journalism students as well as the outside world because your blogs are public, so point them to the most interesting, controversial, engaging content on your assigned site. As part of this assignment, each week a student will be selected to make a brief inclass presentation about their blog post that week. NOTE: Blog posts are due by 6 p.m., Monday, BEFORE class meets. Facebook Group You will be invited to join a private group for this class on Facebook. This will be a completely closed group, meaning no one outside of the class can view it or see that you belong to it. Our group will be a forum of online sharing and discussion both during and outside of class.

Tweeting You are encouraged and allowed to tweet from class using the hashtag #jo304, but please, no inappropriate comments. Use this as you would as a reporter. Share information that might be of interest to your followers. Final Project One of the major requirements of this course is production of an online portfolio. This portfolio is meant to demonstrate your knowledge of concepts learned in this class. Your portfolio will be suitable for use when applying for a job or internship. Content in your portfolio MUST be journalistic (journalism majors only) or related to your professional goals (non-majors) and approved in advance. Additional details about the portfolio and a required final project presentation will be distributed later in the semester. Grading There is no midterm or final in this class. There will be occasional pop quizzes based on the reading. Grading will be calculated as follows: Assignments 30% Newstrack Blog Project, Homework 20% Pop Quizzes 10% Class participation (in class and online), attendance 10% Final Project 30% General Grading Policy A (90-100) Excellent work that met or exceeded the requirements. Writing reflects solid research, interviewing, accuracy, attribution, conforms to AP style; multimedia elements (video, photos, audio, interactive) are sharp, focused, clear, appropriately selected, properly captioned, tagged, credited and functional. Could run as is, or with very minor edits. B (80-85) Good work with a few errors. May contain minor problem with focus, spelling/grammar, style, balance, organization; several multimedia elements are subpar (out of focus, poor sound quality, etc.) or exhibit one or two technical glitches. Could run with some editing. C (65-70) Average work. Failed to meet most of the requirements of the assignment. Shows lack of news judgment, accuracy, balance, etc., significant technical errors, subpar multimedia elements, poor selection of interactive elements. Could only run with significant editing or a complete overhaul.

D (55-60) Below average work that shows little or no understanding of the requirements of the assignment, numerous grammatical, style errors, major factual errors and failure to use assigned technology and tools properly. F (0-55) Failure to turn in by deadline or significantly flawed work. Course Policies

Please turn off all mobile devices (cell phones, iPads, etc.) before class unless you are using them for an assignment or class project. Please restrict unrelated internet browsing, e-mailing, instant messaging or other unassigned online activity to the 15-minute break well have each week. Spelling, style and grammar count! When you submit an assignment points will be deducted for spelling, grammatical and AP style errors. Professionalism: You will be called on to critique the work of your classmates and occasionally discuss ethical issues. There may be times when you disagree with another students comments. You will be expected to deal honestly, but professionally, with your classmates and the instructor of this course. In addition to the assigned reading, you should read and watch traditional news in order to be able to discuss and analyze differences between the mediums.

Class Attendance You are expected to be in class each week, on time. Roll will be taken. If you are ill or must miss a class for another reason, please alert me as soon as possible BEFORE class via email (preferably) or a phone call. If you have an illness or emergency which can be documented, your absence will be excused. However, you will be expected to complete any assignments that you missed during your excused absence. Missed assignments are due by the next class. Multiple unexcused absences will affect your final grade. Late Assignments Deadlines are a key concept in journalism. If you miss a deadline in the real world you might lose your job. Get used to filing assignments on time. Your work with Patch.com will give you invaluable experience producing on deadline. Unexcused late assignments are will not be accepted in this class. Speakers We will occasionally have speakers who work in online media visiting us throughout the semester. Because they are busy professionals whose schedules change constantly, I 6

have not listed specific dates and times for their appearances. I will announce speakers prior to their appearance.

Plagiarism and Fabrication The College of Communication rules on plagiarism are applicable to this course. Statement: "Plagiarism is the act of representing another person's creative and/or academic work as your own, in full, or in part. It can be an act of commission, in which one intentionally appropriates the words, pictures, or ideas of another, or it can be an act of omission, in which one fails to acknowledge/document/give credit to the source, creator and/or the copyright owner of those words, pictures, or ideas. Any fabrication of materials, quotes or sources other than those created in a work of fiction is also plagiarism. Plagiarism is the most serious academic offense that you can commit and can result in probation, suspension, or expulsion." Academic Code of Conduct Be sure to read and comply with Boston Universitys Universal Academic Conduct Code for undergraduate students. It is available at: bu.edu/academics Recording of Classes Statement Please note that classroom proceedings for this course might be recorded for purposes including, but not limited to, student illness, religious holidays, disability accommodations, or student course review. Note also that recording devices are prohibited in the classroom except with the instructors permission.

Weekly Course Schedule

NOTE: In order to keep things timely, the instructor will occasionally make changes to the weekly course schedule. Please check each this document online each week for updates and announcements of schedule changes. Lecture Topics, In-class Exercises Assignments, Homework

Week 1 Jan. 17

Course Introduction & Overview: A history, survey of the current landscape in online journalism. In-class: Introductions, review syllabus and course requirements, select NewsTrack blogging project sites, set up blogs.

Homework 1. Blog Update your blog with your initial observations (brief) about the news site that youre tracking. Send out a tweet using the hashtag #jo304 announcing your new blog. Due by 6 p.m., Monday.
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Reading: Producing Online News, Thornburg, chapters 1-3 and chapter 10.

Week 2 Jan. 24

Writing for Online I How does writing for online differ from writing for other mediums? What makes for a successful blog and how is blogging different? In-class: We will practice adding online extras to your blogs: (links, photos, widgets, RSS, etc.,) to add context to posts.

Tutorial: learn.wordpress.com Review sections 3, 5, 6, 7. 1. Reading: Thornburg, chapter 11.

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Post a link to your favorite blogger on our Facebook group wall and tell us what you think makes them a good blogger. Not familiar with any blogs? Search for one and post it. (Note: Please do this BEFORE class meets.) Online Interactive Assignment: Log on to Newsu.org and complete the course Reporting Across Platforms. Note: Send a course report to mijohn2@bu.edu so that you get credit for completing this assignment! Instructions here. NewsTrack blog post and tweet.

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Due by today: First blog post and tweet, assigned reading, Facebook post, NewsU online course.

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Week 3 Jan. 31

Writing for Online II: Writing for online extends beyond the 300-word story and blog posts. Headlines, excerpts, and tweets need to be written and links to related material compiled, all with an eye toward search engine optimization. In-class: Writing exercise, First NewsTrack discussion. Note: You will receive your Patch.com assignments this week. Due by today: NewsTrack blog post and tweet, NewsU assignment, reading.

Reading: Producing Online News, chapter 5, pages 103-124, 131-32 (skip section on HTML); chapter 6, pages 146-167; chapter 7, pages 169-72, 175-190 (skip HTML section). Patch Assignment 1: Contact your Patch.com editor, introduce yourself, and either pitch a story or ask for an assignment and cover it as directed by your editor. NOTE: Submit a copy of your assignment to me BEFORE it runs for ALL assignments!

Week 4 Feb. 7

Online Extras Tools for creating maps, data visualizations, timelines, interactive graphics. Curating the web using tools such as Storify and Qwiki. In-class: HTML tutorial; create maps, simple online graphics. NewsTrack discussion. Homework due by today: NewsTrack blog post and tweet, assigned reading.

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Reading: Producing Online News, chapter 4, chapter 5 pages 124-27 (HTML section), chapter 7, pages 172-175 (HTML section) Assignment: Review the weeks top news stories, pick one and produce a Google map which could accompany that story. Post the map and a link to the story on your blog on the Class Assignments page. Due Feb. 14.

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Week 5 Feb. 14

Legal and Ethical Issues, Photography for the Web Is it OK to use that? Discussion of copyright, legal and ethical issues related to use of images.

NewsU.org: Online Media Law, Basics for Bloggers and Other Publishers. Send a course report to mijohn2@bu.edu Reading: Producing Online News, chapter 8, pages 193-210.

In-class: Tips for taking good photos; Photoshop: Preparing images for Tips for Taking Good Photos (download on the web, photo galleries; NewsTrack Blackboard under Course Documents) discussion. Important: Bring your SD card to class today! Homework due by today: NewsTrack blog post and tweet, NewsU course, assigned reading, Google map.

Photoshop Tutorial, Knight Digital Media Center. Creating Slideshows on Wordpress.com (Blackboard > Course Documents) Assignment: Check out a camera and shoot 10 photos that illustrate concepts in the document Taking Good Photos: Rule of Thirds, perspective, wide, medium, tight, etc. Edit your photos in Photoshop and post before and after shots as a slideshow on your blog on the Class Assignment page. Due Feb. 28.

Feb. 21 Week 6 Feb. 28

No Class Monday Schedule Covering Live Events Online How to use mobile devices and tools such as live video streaming and social media to cover breaking news. In-class: Practice using mobile devices, live blogging tools; NewsTrack discussion. Homework due by today: NewsTrack blog post and tweet. Massachusetts Primary Election Coverage

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Assignment: You will be assigned to cover the Massachusetts Primary on March 6. Coverage will include a live blog and video. Details to come. Patch Assignment 2: Pitch your Patch editor a story that includes a photo gallery. (If possible, tie this to the election coverage.)

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Week 7 March 6

Be prepared to participate in team coverage of the 2012 primary. Youll be assigned to various jobs including live blog producers, Twitter correspondents, photographers, video (live streaming), and, text reporter.

March 13

SPRING BREAK

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Week 8 March 20

Video for the Web I Web video is different from video produced for broadcast television. Well look at ways to shoot and tell stories tailored to this medium. In-class: Camera workshop, NewsTrack discussion.

1. Log on to NewsU.org and complete

the course Video Storytelling for the Web. Send a course report to mijohn2@bu.edu to get credit. 2. Producing Online News, chapter 8, pages 223-239 Due by today: NewsTrack blog post and tweet, NewsU, reading.
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Week 9 March 27

Video for the Web II Editing video for online; file formats, options for uploading, embedding online. In-class: Final Cut Pro workshop; NewsTrack discussion. Homework due by today: NewsTrack blog post and tweet.

Review: Final Cut Tutorial

Shoot and edit a video package (Using five shot method) OR a Person on the street no longer than 1:30. Upload to YouTube, embed in your blog. Due April 10 2. Feel free to pitch this piece to your Patch editor. For tips on shooting and editing view Mindy McAdams tutorial on the five shot method.
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Week 10 April 3

Audio for the Web Using a digital audio recorder, gathering great sound, editing audio using Audacity. In-class: Audio recording and editing workshop; NewsTrack discussion. Homework Due by Today: Video assignment, NewsTrack blog post and tweet, NewsU assignment, reading. Discussion: Final Project Guidelines

Online Interactive Assignment: Log on to NewsU.org and complete the course Telling Stories with Sound. Send a course report to get credit. Reading: Producing Online News, chapter 8, pages 210-222 Review: Creating an Audio Package Using Audacity for in-class workshop. Assignment: Produce an audio slideshow on a topic of your choice. Note: This assignment will be required for your final portfolio.

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Week 11 April 10

Trip to Boston Globe/boston.com

Due by Today: NewsTrack blog post and tweet.

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Week 12 April 17

Audio Slideshows II Creating compelling slideshows using Soundslides and other applications. In-class: Soundslides workshop, intro to FTP, NewsTrack discussion. Tools for Creating an Online Presence Journalists today are expected to have an online identity. Well look at options for creating web sites, online portfolios and more.

Due by Today: NewsTrack blog post and tweet.

Week 13 April 24 Week 14 May 1

Open Lab: Work on final projects

NewsTrack blog: Post your final assessment and thoughts about the site youve been tracking throughout the semester.

LAST CLASS Final project presentations Final projects due: May 8

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