Welcome to

Introduction to Multimedia Journalism

Mr. LewisPeriod 2Spring 2014

How do we define what

Journalism is?

Simply put, journalism is the transfer of information from a source (person A) through the journalist (person B) to the general public (people C, D, E, etc.) on matters of public affairs.

Person A(The Source)

Person B(The Journalist)

Person C, D, E, etc.(The General Public)

But, can’t anyone be a journalist?

❖ Online bloggers have challenged what we believe to be traditional journalism.

❖ However, journalists are trained in information gathering, writing, legal issues, and ethical issues.

❖ Bloggers typically are not.

Journalism is a process…

❖ A journalist's job is to:

❖ Gather information from reliable sources.

❖ Verify said information through a variety of other sources (hey, is this really true?).

❖ Write it in a form a majority of people can understand and find somewhat entertaining or relative.

❖ Do all of this in a professional manner.

What will I learn in this class?

❖ This course has been designed to help you become a more intelligent media consumer and to provide you with the skills necessary to progress to production-level journalism courses such as newspaper and yearbook. Journalism is a hands-on endeavor in which you will put skills from other courses to practical use. It helps you combine practical experience with academic knowledge to enhance your analytical, expressive and creative skills.

What will I be doing?

❖ Research

❖ Note-taking

❖ Interviewing

❖ Writing

❖ Blogging

❖ Studying current events

Research, and yes, notes

❖ You will need to bring a notebook of your choice and a writing utensil everyday.

❖ No traditional lectures.

❖ Students will do their own research based off lesson objective questions given to them by Mr. Lewis.

Units of Study

A. The role of journalism in a democratic society

B. Journalism law and ethics

C. News values and journalistic principles

D. Reporting - Skills of information gathering.

E. Journalistic style writing.

F. Newspaper and online design and layout.

G. Yearbook basics.

Room 304 Policies and Procedures

❖Be prepared. Come to class on time with all necessary materials. School handbook policy will be followed on absences and tardies.❖Be respectful and courteous to everyone in the classroom.❖Do not disturb materials for production classes that also use this room.❖Do not use the computer lab or computers without permission.❖Absolutely no food or drink on or near computer tables.❖Cell phones are used only for instructional purposes. Personal use is not allowed.❖Take responsibility for your actions. The only person to blame is yourself for what you do.

Computer Policies and Procedures

❖ Please only use the “Student” login. (Password = journalism)

❖ Do not access any program or website without prior permission from Mr. Lewis.

❖ Do not “personalize” the computer in anyway.

❖ Failure to comply may lead to the student losing the privilege of using the computers in the room.

Journalism Production Class Requirements

❖ Student must complete this course with a B or higher and complete an application process.

❖ For students enrolled in Introduction to Multimedia Journalism in the spring semester acceptance onto a publication staff will be dependent on their grades at the time of their application. Any student who is accepted into a production class but then falls below the requirements by the end of the semester will be dropped from the production staff.

❖ If you have any questions over how to become a member of an HHS publications staff, Mr. Lewis is always happy to discuss them with you. Never be afraid to ask questions!

Grading

❖ This course utilizes a Standards Based Grading system.

❖ Unlike the traditional points based grade books, Standard Based Grading quite simply involves measuring students’ proficiency on course objectives and standards.

❖ Assignments carry no points value.

❖ Assignments will have deadlines. The ability to meet deadlines is a standard the student will be assessed on throughout the course.

Grading

❖ In SIS, you will see standards instead of assignments.

❖ Each standard will be given a number 4, 3, 2, or 1.

❖ 4 = You get it.

❖ 3 = You’re close, but need a little more assistance to get there.

❖ 2 = You understand half of the standard, and need assistance to meet the standard.

❖ 1 = You do not understand or meet the standard.

Grading

❖ Your letter grade is a percentage of the standards you are meeting.

❖ An A means the student has completed proficient work on all course objectives and advanced work on some objectives.

❖ A B means the student has completed proficient work on all course objectives.

❖ A C means the student has completed proficient work on the most important objectives, although not on all objectives. The student can continue to the next course.

❖ A D means the student has completed proficient work on at least one-half of the course objectives but is missing some important objectives and is at significant risk of failing the next course in the sequence. The student should repeat the course if it is a prerequisite for another course.

❖ An F means the student has completed proficient work on fewer than one-half of the course objectives and cannot successfully complete the next course in sequence.

Classroom Website

Be sure to check the website daily for assignments and announcements.

Go to - www.harrisonvilleschools.org/lewisb and click on Multimedia Journalism