applied digital & social media · one or more sd cards to use with the digital audio recorders...

Course Description | Applied Digital & Social Media

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APPLIED DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA

The University of Iowa, School of Journalism & Mass Communication

Course Description

Applied Digital and Social Media

JMC:3620:0001

Tuesday/Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. W332 AJB

HOME SCHEDULE ASSIGNMENTS RESOURCES COURSE DESCRIPTION COURSE POLICIES

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Instructor: Dr. Brian Ekdale, [email protected], E324 AJBOffice Hours: Wednesday 2-3 p.m. & Thursday 2-4 p.m.

DEO: Dr. David Ryfe, [email protected], E305B Adler Journalism Building

Course Description and Goals: Today, journalists and strategic communicators are being asked to produce compelling and important stories using avariety of digital and social media technologies. This course is designed to give students hands on experience with some of the most popular toolsto prepare students for professional multimedia work. Throughout the semester, you will produce content about a self-selected topic from multipleangles, using a variety of formats: text, audio, photos, videos, map mashups, live blogs, interactive timelines, etc. Along the way, we will alsodiscuss the changing media environment and its technical, ethical, economic, and social ramifications.

Specifically, you will:

Learn to recognize and emulate high-quality, compelling multimedia storytellingDevelop and maintain an individual site focused on a niche of your choosingProduce stories using a variety of multimedia formatsGrapple with the issues and opportunities facing digital and social media practitioners

Text: There is no required text for this course. You can find course readings from the supplied links or in PDF form on ICON.

Technology: You are required to own and bring to class an external hard drive. I recommend a 320 GB or larger drive with FireWire 800 and/or USB3.0 interface. You can find suitable drives at any office or electronics store/site (here’s a good one from Amazon). I also recommend you purchaseone or more SD cards to use with the digital audio recorders and digital cameras. The SD card(s) must be “Class 10″ to handle video on our cameras(like this one).

Assignments / Grading

You will be graded on your participation in class, multimedia exercises, and your niche site. Grading of assignments in this course is designed tocorrespond with the ways in which online media workers are assessed.

You will also have five short quizzes throughout the semester. These quizzes will cover assigned readings, exemplars, and material discussed inclass. Readings and exemplars are due the day they are listed on the syllabus and, thus, are fair game for quizzes given on that day.

Specifics details and requirements for each assignment will be provided during the semester. There are a total of 500 points possible.

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In-Class Work and Participation (120 points):

Quizzes (5 @ 5 pts each): 25 ptsAttendance / Participation: 50 ptsAudio Exercise (Theme Music): 15 ptsPhotography Exercise (Profile & Stock Photos): 15 ptsVideo Exercise (Interview Setup): 15 pts

Niche Site (80 points):

Weekly blog posts (8 @ 5 pts each): 40 ptsSite promotion: 40 pts

Multimedia Stories (300 points):

Text story: 25 ptsAlternative story form: 25 ptsDigital audio: 50 ptsAudio slideshow: 50 ptsDigital video: 50 ptsFinal project: 100 pts

This course will use the +/- system with the following grade distribution:

A+ 97-100% B+ 87-89% C+ 77-79% D+ 67-69% F 0-59%

A 93-96% B 83-86% C 73-76% D 63-66%

A- 90-92% B- 80-82% C- 70-72% D- 60-62%

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Schedule | Applied Digital & Social Media

https://iowadigital.wordpress.com/schedule/[1/8/2015 3:29:07 PM]



Schedule

Schedule is subject to change, including topics, readings, and exemplars. Check here regularly for the latest updates.

Week 1 – Introduction

Tuesday, 1/20 – Course Overview








Assigned: Niche Site

Thursday, 1/22 – Niche Reporting Online

Readings:

Producing Online News, Ch. 10 “Journalism as process” (p. 275-289) (ICON)

Darren Rowse, Problogger, “How to choose a niche topic for your blog,” http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/

Assigned: Niche Site Proposal (upload to ICON)

Week 2 – Digital Storytelling

Tuesday, 1/27– New Media, Old Values

Readings:

Producing Online News, Ch. 2 “Online news is still news” (ICON)

Due: Niche Site Proposal, start of class

Thursday, 1/29 – Writing for Google and Fickle Audiences

Readings:

Producing Online News, Ch. 5 “Editing news for searchers and scanners” (pp. 103-123) (ICON)

Paul Boag, Boagworld, “Not every good writer can write for the web,” http://boagworld.com/content-strategy/writing-for-the-web-is-hard/

Quiz #1


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https://icon.uiowa.edu/

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/




http://boagworld.com/content-strategy/writing-for-the-web-is-hard/

http://boagworld.com/content-strategy/writing-for-the-web-is-hard/




Assigned: Text Story

Week 3 – Publishing and Promotion

Tuesday, 2/3 – Going Live

Due: Niche Site Launched

Thursday, 2/5 – Social Media Marketing

Readings:

Jennine Jacob, IFB, “23 ways to promote posts & increase your blog traffic,” http://heartifb.com/2013/04/01/23-ways-to-promote-your-blog-posts/

Mark Luckie, Twitter, “Best practices for journalists,” http://blog.twitter.com/2012/09/best-practices-for-journalists.html

Daniel J. Lewis, The Audacity to Podcast, “11 ways to use twitter to promote your blog or podcast,”http://theaudacitytopodcast.com/tap067-11-ways-to-use-twitter-to-promote-your-blog-or-podcast/

Assigned: Site Promotion & Engagement

Week 4 – Data-Driven Stories

Tuesday, 2/10 – In Class: Revise Text Story

Due: Text Story, end of class

Thursday, 2/12 – Alternative Story Forms

Storify:

http://heartifb.com/2013/04/01/23-ways-to-promote-your-blog-posts/

http://heartifb.com/2013/04/01/23-ways-to-promote-your-blog-posts/

http://blog.twitter.com/2012/09/best-practices-for-journalists.html

http://theaudacitytopodcast.com/tap067-11-ways-to-use-twitter-to-promote-your-blog-or-podcast/

http://www.storify.com/



Mallary Tenore, “The 5 types of stories that make good Storifys” Poynter. http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/newsgathering-storytelling/153697/the-5-types-of-stories-that-make-good-storifys/

Timline JS:

Lindsey Cook, “Timelines: Timeline JS,” Digitize Me, Captain Lab, http://www.digitize-me-captain.com/timelines-timeline-js-2/

Google Maps Engine:

Blogger Hints and Tips, “Introducing Maps Engine Lite – a better tool for customizing maps,” http://blogger-hints-and-tips.blogspot.com/2013/04/google-maps-engine-light-for-better-custom-maps.html

Infogr.am

Kate Hairsine, “Tools and apps for journalists: Infogr.am,” DW Akademie, http://onmedia.dw-akademie.de/english/?p=12387

Quiz #2

Assigned: Alternative Story Form

Week 5 – Audio Storytelling

Tuesday, 2/17 – In Class: Revise Alternative Story Form

Due: Alternative Story Form

Thursday, 2/19 – Audio Storytelling

Readings:

Videojournalism, Ch. 11 “Interviewing,” (pp. 154-171) (ICON)

Exemplars:

http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/newsgathering-storytelling/153697/the-5-types-of-stories-that-make-good-storifys/

http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/newsgathering-storytelling/153697/the-5-types-of-stories-that-make-good-storifys/

http://timeline.knightlab.com/

http://www.digitize-me-captain.com/timelines-timeline-js-2/

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/?pli=1

http://blogger-hints-and-tips.blogspot.com/2013/04/google-maps-engine-light-for-better-custom-maps.html

http://blogger-hints-and-tips.blogspot.com/2013/04/google-maps-engine-light-for-better-custom-maps.html

http://infogr.am/

http://onmedia.dw-akademie.de/english/?p=12387




Jennifer Ludden, NPR, “Colleges brainstorm ways to cut back on bingedrinking,” http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/09/16/347475250/colleges-brainstorm-ways-to-cut-back-on-binge-drinking

On the Media, WYNC, “The Internet slowdown,” http://www.onthemedia.org/story/internet-slowdown/

Manners for the Digital Age, Slate, “Revenge of the Facebookstalker,” http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/manners_for_the_digital_age/2012/03/facebook_stalker_should_i_tell_a_cheating_guy_s_girlfrien

Quiz #3

Assigned: Digital Audio Story

Week 6 – Digital Audio Technology

Tuesday, 2/24 – Digital Audio Technology – Editing & Looping

To prepare for audio editing training:

If you want to edit audio on your own computer, download Audacity AND the LAME encoderCreate a SoundCloud account

Assigned: Audio Exercise (Theme Music)

Thursday, 2/26 – In Class: Audio Exercise

Week 7 – Visual Storytelling

Tuesday, 3/3 – Revise Digital Audio Story

Due: Digital Audio Story, end of class

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/09/16/347475250/colleges-brainstorm-ways-to-cut-back-on-binge-drinking

http://www.onthemedia.org/story/internet-slowdown/

http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/manners_for_the_digital_age/2012/03/facebook_stalker_should_i_tell_a_cheating_guy_s_girlfriend_that_we_hooked_up_.html

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq_i18n?s=install&i=lame-mp3

https://soundcloud.com/



Thursday, 3/5 – Digital Photography and Audio Slideshows

Readings:

Digital Camera World, “10 rules of photo composition (and why they work),” http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/12/10-rules-of-photo-composition-and-why-they-work/

Videojournalism, Ch. 10 “Shooting a sequence,” (pp. 133-141) (ICON)

Exemplars:

Ivan Watson, NPR, “From Iraq to Ozark, Mo.” http://www.npr.org/multimedia/2008/10/manira_steve/index.html

Emily S. Rueb, New York Times, “The singing waitress,” http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/1-in-8-million/index.html#/maggie_wirth

Dipti Vaidya, The Tennessean, “After theflood,” http://archive.tennessean.com/interactive/article/99999999/AUDIOSLIDESHOWS/110216039/After-Flood

Quiz #4

Assigned: Photography Exercise (Profile & Stock Photos)

Assigned: Audio Slideshow Story

Week 8 – Visual Technology

Tuesday, 3/10 – In Class: Photography Exercise

Thursday, 3/12 – Audio Slideshow Technology – Soundslides & Image Editing

To prepare for Soundslides training:

Create a YouTube account (new account for your niche site)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/12/10-rules-of-photo-composition-and-why-they-work/

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/12/10-rules-of-photo-composition-and-why-they-work/


http://www.npr.org/multimedia/2008/10/manira_steve/index.html

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/1-in-8-million/index.html#/maggie_wirth

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/1-in-8-million/index.html#/maggie_wirth

http://archive.tennessean.com/interactive/article/99999999/AUDIOSLIDESHOWS/110216039/After-Flood

http://www.youtube.com/



SPRING BREAK

Week 9 – Visual Technology

Tuesday, 3/24 – Audio Slideshow Technology – Final Cut Pro X Basics

Thursday, 3/26 – Revise Audio Slideshow

Due: Audio Slideshow Story, end of class

Week 10 – Digital Video Storytelling

Tuesday 3/31 – Digital Video

Readings:

Videojournalism, Ch. 13 “Editing the story” (ICON)

Exemplars:

Erik Olsen, New York Times, “Trampoline’s newfrontier,” http://www.nytimes.com/video/2012/01/29/sports/100000001235083/trampolines-new-frontier.html

A.J. Chavar, Washington Post, “Cedric Givens, backwards jogger,” http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/cedric-givens-backwards-jogger/2013/03/07/0b2a5cc2-8781-11e2-999e-5f8e0410cb9d_video.html

Build.com, “How to tint glass,” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1SBk-rBhPs&feature=plcp

Quiz #5

Assigned: Video Exercise (Interview Setup)


http://www.nytimes.com/video/2012/01/29/sports/100000001235083/trampolines-new-frontier.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/cedric-givens-backwards-jogger/2013/03/07/0b2a5cc2-8781-11e2-999e-5f8e0410cb9d_video.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/cedric-givens-backwards-jogger/2013/03/07/0b2a5cc2-8781-11e2-999e-5f8e0410cb9d_video.html

https://build.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1SBk-rBhPs&feature=plcp



Assigned: Digital Video Story

(Blank storyboard for first person videos)

Thursday 4/2 – Video Exercise

Week 11 – Video Technology

Tuesday, 4/7 – Digital Video Technology – Video Editing

Thursday, 4/9 – Digital Video Technology – Titles and Animation

Week 12 – Video Revisions

Tuesday, 4/14 – Introduce the Final Project

Assigned: Final Project

Thursday, 4/16 – In Class: Revise Video Story

Due: Digital Video Story, end of class

Week 13 – Video Critiques

Tuesday, 4/21 – Video Critiques

Thursday, 4/23 – Video Critiques

https://iowadigital.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/138_05storyboard.pdf



Week 14 – Final Projects

Tuesday 4/28 – Final Project Work

Thursday 4/30 – Final Project Work

Week 15 – Final Projects

Tuesday, 5/5 – Revise Final Project

Thursday, 5/7 – Revise Final Project

Final Exam

Date/time TBA

Due: Final Project

Due: Site Promotion

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Course Policies | Applied Digital & Social Media

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Course Policies

Attendance: Attendance and participation are very important in this course. You are expected to attend every class period, arriving on time andstaying until class is dismissed.

Excused absences: Excused absences will be granted only if (a) you have a legitimate reason for missing class (e.g. documented illness, familyemergency, religious holiday, etc.) and (b) you let Brian know via email about your absence prior to the start of the class period you are missing.








Failure to give prior notification or a less-than-legitimate reason will result in an unexcused absence. Everyone gets one “grace” absence. Eachadditional unexcused absence will result in an automatic 5-point deduction from your participation grade.

Makeup Work: Quizzes and assignments completed in class cannot be made up. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to learn what was coveredthat day and acquire notes from your fellow classmates. Please, do no send me emails that ask “What did I miss?” or “Did I miss anything important?” The answers are “Lots” and “Yes.” I am happy to discuss missed materials during my office hours, but I cannot cover the material in the sameamount of detail as I can during class.

Late Policy: Each assignment posting will specify a due date/time. Work submitted after the assigned due date/time will be considered late andwill be marked down 10% immediately. Late work will be marked down an additional 10% for each 24-hour period after the original due date.Assignments turned in more than 5 days after the due date will be awarded no points.

Original Work: Everything you submit for credit must be original content produced for this course. If you have a job, an internship or work for theDI and you want to use content produced in this course for those purposes, you must speak with me in advance to request permission and work outarrangements.

Academic Misconduct: Academic misconduct occurs when you (intentionally or unintentionally) present someone else’s words or ideas as your own.According to the University of Iowa Academic Policies, academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

Presenting ideas from sources that you do not creditUsing direct quotations without quotation marks and/or without credit to the sourceParaphrasing information and ideas from sources without credit to the sourceFailing to provide adequate citations for material obtained through electronic researchSubmitting material created/written by someone else as one’s own, including purchased term/research papers, artistic works, photography,and electronic media.

Students are responsible for understanding this policy. If you have questions, please ask me for clarification. Clear evidence of academic misconductwill result in a failing grade for the assignment/exam and possibly the course. Per college policy, we are required to report academic misconductthe College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Electronic Communication: As per university policy, you are responsible for all official correspondences sent to your University of Iowa e-mailaddress (@uiowa.edu).

Communication with Brian: I make every effort to respond to student emails within 24 hours. Typically, I respond sooner than that. While I prioritize


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my interactions with my students, I do have other commitments (meetings, research, sleep, etc.) that may keep me immediately responding to youremails. I am happy to offer feedback and answer specific questions over email, but I will not answer a barrage of questions or review full drafts ofassignments over email. If your email would take me more than 5 minutes to answer, I will advise you to visit my office hours or schedule anappointment.

Graduate Credit: Students enrolled in the Graduate College must successfully complete substantive additional work to receive credit for this class.Please talk with Brian about details within the first two weeks of the semester.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Policies and Procedures

Administrative Home:The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the administrative home of this course and governs matters such as the add/dropdeadlines, the second-grade-only option, and other related issues. Different colleges may have different policies. Questions may be addressed to120 Schaeffer Hall, or see the CLAS Student Academic Handbook.

Accommodations for Disabilities: A student seeking academic accommodations should first register with Student Disability Services and then meetprivately with the course instructor to make particular arrangements. See www.uiowa.edu/~sds/ for more information.

Academic Honesty:The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences expects all students to do their own work, as stated in the CLAS Code of AcademicHonesty. Instructors fail any assignment that shows evidence of plagiarism or other forms of cheating, also reporting the student’s name to theCollege. A student reported to the College for cheating is placed on disciplinary probation; a student reported twice is suspended or expelled.

CLAS Final Examination Policies: Final exams may be offered only during finals week. No exams of any kind are allowed during the last week ofclasses. Students should not ask their instructor to reschedule a final exam since the College does not permit rescheduling of a final exam once thesemester has begun. Questions should be addressed to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Curriculum.

Making a Suggestion or a Complaint: Students with a suggestion or complaint should first visit the instructor, then the course supervisor, and thenthe departmental DEO. Complaints must be made within six months of the incident. See the CLAS Student Academic Handbook.

Understanding Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, andstaff. All members of the UI community have a responsibility to uphold this mission and to contribute to a safe environment that enhances learning.Incidents of sexual harassment should be reported immediately. See the UI Comprehensive Guide on Sexual Harassment for assistance, definitions,and the full University policy.

Reacting Safely to Severe Weather: In severe weather, class members should seek appropriate shelter immediately, leaving the classroom ifnecessary. The class will continue if possible when the event is over. For more information on Hawk Alert and the siren warning system, visit the

http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook/

http://www.uiowa.edu/%7Esds/

http://clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook/academic-fraud-honor-code

http://clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook/academic-fraud-honor-code

http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook/x/#5

http://www.uiowa.edu/%7Eeod/policies/sexual-harassment-guide/index.html



Public Safety web site.

The Iowa Dozen

The mission of our School is to educate journalism and mass communication professionals, scholars and faculty. Through professional and creativeresearch activities, they enhance a continually growing and evolving understanding of the social and cultural roles, responsibilities, and contexts forcommunicators in a democratic society, as well as in diverse global contexts.

To accomplish that mission:

We learn to …

1. Write correctly, clearly and well.*2. Conduct research and gather information responsibly.*3. Edit and evaluate carefully.*4. Use media technologies thoughtfully.*5. Apply statistical concepts accurately.*

We value …

6. Free speech and First Amendment principles for all individuals and groups.*7. A diverse global community.*8. Creativity and independence.*9. Truth, accuracy and fairness.*

We explore …

10. Theories and concepts.*11. The history, structure and economy of media institutions12. The role of media in shaping cultures.

* Elements of Iowa Dozen emphasized in this course.

http://police.uiowa.edu/stay-informed/emergency-communication/



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Niche Site | Applied Digital & Social Media

https://iowadigital.wordpress.com/assignments/niche-site/[1/8/2015 3:29:55 PM]



Niche Site

Requirements:

Create and maintain a professional niche blog for the entire semesterYou will launch your site Week 3 and post your final graded content during Finals Week

Post new content to your site at least once a week








The week is defined as Monday at 12:00 a.m. through Sunday at 11:59 p.m.Proposal: Complete a site proposal and upload it to ICON by the start of class on 9/2

Description: For this assignment, you will create and maintain a website focused on a specific niche topic that you are knowledgeable about, haveexperience with and/or are invested in (ideally all three). Once a week during the semester, you will post shorter blog posts and more substantivemultimedia stories to this site.

During weeks that you do not have a multimedia story due, you must post to your site at least once. Each post is worth 5 points. You will lose 5points for missing posts. You cannot make up these points or earn extra credit by posting more than once during another week.

Each post should contribute to your audience’s understanding of your niche topic. Posts can be in text or multimedia form. If you post non-originalcontent, you must also include substantive original contributions. Embedding someone else’s YouTube video without original commentary is notsufficient.

You have multimedia stories due during weeks 4, 5, 7, 9, & 12. Therefore, your blog posts are due weeks 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, & 15.

Goal: By December, you should have a professional portfolio site filled with multimedia content that demonstrates your proficiency in digital andsocial media and your expertise in a specific topic.

For Each Blog Post (5 points each):

Contribute something newsworthy and relevant to your nicheInclude at least 300 words of original text (or equivalent effort for multimedia posts)Demonstrate professional writing and content creation (i.e. proofread, proofread, proofread)Include SEO optimized metadata (e.g. headline, category, 3-6 tags)

Include 25-50 word story summary for non-text-based posts (e.g. video, audio, etc.)Include multimedia and interactive content (e.g. links, images, videos, etc.)

You must credit and, if possible, link to the source of any non-original work

Grading Criteria (40 points total):

Is each post newsworthy and relevant to your niche?Was the post uploaded on time? Does it meet the requirements?Is the content accurate? Does it use proper grammar, spelling, and AP style?


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Niche Site Proposal | Applied Digital & Social Media

https://iowadigital.wordpress.com/assignments/niche-site-proposal/[1/8/2015 3:30:11 PM]



Niche Site Proposal

Your proposal should address the following:

1. What is your proposed niche? (1-3 sentences)2. What is your proposed site title? (1-6 word site name). Explain the meaning if it is not obvious.3. What is your proposed site URL? (e.g. http://nichesiteurl.wordpress.com). Confirm that your proposed URL is available.








4. Why are you well equipped to cover this niche? (3-4 sentences). Explain any relevant experience, expertise, and interest you have.5. Who is the target audience for this site? (3-4 sentences). Explain what your site will offer that your target audience can’t get elsewhere.6. Who are potential local, expert sources for this site? (3-5 specific names). Explain relevance.7. What are other sites that are a part of your niche community? (3-5 specific sites). Explain relevance.8. List possible story ideas for three blog posts, an audio slideshow, and a video story.9. Are there any concerns you have about your proposed site?

Example:

1. Niche: My proposed niche is the Old Capital City Roller Girls. The site will explore some broader issues with the sport of roller derby for theuninitiated, but it will mostly serve as a dedicated site for OCCRG news and coverage.

2. Title: “The Whip” (the name for a move in which the jammer is whipped forward by another player)3. URL: http://occrollergirls.wordpress.com OR http://thewhipic.wordpress.com4. Why me: I have only been to one roller derby bout, but I thought it was fantastic. The sport has a great mix of over-the-top entertainment,

competitiveness, and female empowerment. I’m hoping to find a job as a sports journalist, so covering the OCCRG gives me experience inworking a beat for a team that isn’t receiving much attention elsewhere, except for the occasional feature.

5. Audience: I think this sport has huge growth potential. At the moment, there is no local news organization with a dedicated roller derbyreporter and no other site in Iowa City that regularly covers OCCRG. A lot of my traffic initially will come from family and friends of the team,but I think the site can grow into something bigger, attracting curious extreme sports lovers and fans of roller derby that follow other teams.

6. Sources: 1) Lisa Edwards (aka “Left 4 Deadwards) – Player and coach for OCCRG; 2) Susan Birrell – Professor, Sports Studies, University ofIowa; 3) Nick Bergus – Roller derby referee; 4) Cathy Kovach – Photographer/sponsor of OCCRG

7. Other sites: 1) OCCRG News Page (http://www.oldcapitolcityrollergirls.com/categories/news/): The official news page for the OCCRG team. 2)Derby News Network (http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com): Site claims to be “the world’s #1 destination for coverage of the sport of modernroller derby.” 3) Iowa Roller Derby Diaries (http://iowarollerderbydiaries.blogspot.com): Offers basic news and facts about several differentroller derby teams in the state. 4) Angry Robot Roller Derby (http://angryrobotrollerderby.blogspot.com): The author, Jessica Young, is aroller derby player in Massachusetts who writes about her dedication to the sport.

8. Story ideas: Blog posts – “How OCCRG Attracts Team Sponsors,” “Training to be a Roller Derby Referee,” “Live Coverage of Fargo MoorheadDerby Girls Bout (on 3/9/13)”; Audio slideshow – A feature on scars players have received from participating in roller derby; Video – A videoexploring the competition to become the team’s lead ‘jammer’

9. Concerns: This is a new area of interest for me, but I think I can learn it quickly.


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Equipment Checkout | Applied Digital & Social Media

https://iowadigital.wordpress.com/resources/equipment/[1/8/2015 3:30:49 PM]



Equipment Checkout

Reserve equipment for this course here: http://research3.its.uiowa.edu/film/

You must reserve equipment by 8 a.m. on the day you’d like to check it out. You can only reserve equipment for pickup on a Monday, Wednesdayor Friday. You can reserve equipment up to two weeks in advance. You must have a valid University of Iowa student ID card to checkout equipment.



http://research3.its.uiowa.edu/film/






Pick up reserved equipment between 2 – 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only. Students without a reservation may check outequipment from 4 pm – 4:30pm on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, if equipment is available.

Return equipment between 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Monday through Friday

Equipment checked out on Monday is due Wednesday before noon; Wednesday is due Friday before noon; Friday is due Monday before noon

Journalism students pay a $15 late fee for every day late. Three occurrences of late returns may result in loss of checkout privileges. Preventlate fees by contacting checkout staff before equipment is due.

It is your responsibility to make sure that everything listed on the contract is included and working before signing. Anything found missing ordamaged upon return will be charged to your U-Bill. Equipment returned dirty may be charged a $10 cleaning fine.

If you are unable to pick up equipment you reserved, you must cancel your reservation before checkout time via email or telephone, or becharged a $5 fine. Any equipment not picked up by 4 p.m. may be checked out to other users.

Someone else may pick up the equipment for you as long as you have made prior arrangements with checkout staff. Valid university ID mustbe presented.

When checking out multiple pieces of equipment, please reserve the same equipment number for everything you need (ex: Camera #1, Tripod#1, H2 #1, etc.).

Please reserve only the equipment that you plan to use. If you decide in advance that you do not need a piece of equipment, delete it fromyour online reservation. Only one camera per student without written consent from instructor.

Any use of University of Iowa equipment for purposes other than those relating directly to coursework is strictly prohibited. Students inviolation of this policy will permanently lose access to Production Unit equipment.

With questions or problems, contact Tim Looney at [email protected] or 319-335-0587.

Equipment Manuals

H4n Zoom ManualCanon 60D Manual


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Matching Story with Format | Applied Digital & Social Media

https://iowadigital.wordpress.com/resources/matching-story-with-format/[1/8/2015 3:31:05 PM]



Matching Story with Format

Is this a good story idea?

Is the story newsworthy?Is the story relevant to your niche?Does the story have a specific angle?








Is this a good text story?

Does the story require signficant context, background, and/or analysis?Would the story benefit from integrated links?Would the story serve as a good “anchor” for other multimedia elements?

Is this a good audio story?

Is the story more informative than visual?Does the story have locations and/or actions that can be captured through natural sound?Would the narrative benefit from reporter narration?

Is this a good visual story?

Does the story present opportunities for visual variety?Does the story present opportunities for capturing sequences?

Is this a good audio slideshow?

Does the story have visual moments that convey information, drama and/or emotion?Can the story be told primarily through interviews and natural sound?

Is this a good video story?


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Does the story have visual action that conveys information, drama and/or emotion?Can the story be told primarily through interviews and b-roll?

Is this a good data visualization?

Is the story large in scale?Does the story have identifiable and accurate data points?Would a visualization aid audience understanding?Would the audience benefit from interacting with the data?

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Canon 60D Manual | Applied Digital & Social Media

https://iowadigital.wordpress.com/resources/canon-60d-manual/[1/8/2015 3:31:22 PM]



Canon 60D Manual

If you have questions about the Canon 60D camera, you can review the Canon 60D Manual (PDF).

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Canon 60D Video and H4n Audio | Applied Digital & Social Media

https://iowadigital.wordpress.com/resources/canon-60d-video-and-h4n-audio/[1/8/2015 3:31:34 PM]



Canon 60D Video and H4n Audio

Using the Canon 60D cameras and H4n recorders to shoot video

Connect the splitter cable to the recorder. Connect the mini cable to one end of the splitter and connect headphones to the other end.



http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/recorder_cables_labled.jpeg







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http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/shoe_mount.jpeg



Use the shoe to mount the recorder on the camera. Connect the mini cable to the mic input on the side of the camera.

http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/shoe_mount.jpeg



Once everything is connected, you need to change some settings on the camera and H4n before you record.

Camera settings: With the camera set to video, go to the second menu and scroll down to the “Sound recording” menu. Select this option thenchange the record level so that it is one increment from the bottom.

http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/recorder_mounted_connected.jpeg



Audio recorder settings: Put the recorder in Standby Mode by pressing the REC button. Set the audio gain by moving the Rec Level up or down sothat the natural sound peaks around -6 db. Set the volume on the recorder to 55. Make sure you have “Mic” selected for the input on the H4n. Thegain levels on the 60D should now mirror the H4n.

With the proper setup and settings, you’re now ready to record. Your recorder should look like the image below when you’re recording.

http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/sound_recording_camera.jpeg



Using the Canon 60D cameras, H4n recorders, and lav mics to shoot an interview

Using the lav mic with the H4n and cameras requires a few additional steps. The camera settings are the same as above, however, on the audiorecorder, select line 1 and 2 for the input.

http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/recording.jpeg



Lav mic: Connect the lav mic to the mini-to-XLR cable.

Now connect the cable to the audio recorder.

http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/lav_connection.jpeg



Now you’re ready to record. Make sure the input is set to line 1 and 2 on the H4n (NOT “Mic”) so that you’re recording from the lav.

http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/xlr_connection.jpeg



Audio recorder settings: Put the recorder in Standby Mode by pressing the REC button. Set the audio gain by moving the Rec Level up or down sothat the interview audio peaks around -6 db. (You will only notice an audio signal in the left channel.) Set the volume on the recorder to 55. Thegain levels on the 60D should now mirror the H4n.

With the proper setup and settings, you’re now ready to record your interview.

http://digitalphilcomm.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/line_in_selected.jpeg



_____

See the video for a demonstration of the setup:

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H4n Recorders | Applied Digital & Social Media

https://iowadigital.wordpress.com/resources/h4n-recorders/[1/8/2015 3:32:04 PM]



H4n Recorders








Before recording an interview or other audio, you’ll need to know how to:

1. Format the SD card. Before you start using the recorder, you should format the SD card to delete old files. This will ensure that you haveenough space on the SD card to record your interview(s). Before you return the recorder, you should format the card or delete your files.

2. Check the mic. Make sure Mic is selected as the input option (button on the front of the recorder). Make sure the mic is on “stereo.” If it’s onanother setting, change it to stereo. Go to Menu > Mode > Stereo.

3. Adjust the volume and mic input (record) levels. Remember the volume does not change the mic gain. The volume only affects how you hearthe audio. Adjust the record levels (gain) to affect the volume of the recording (you must be in standby mode to adjust the record levels – seeStep 4). The Record levels button is on the side of the recorder

4. Record. You have to press the RED record button twice to record. When you press it the first time, it’s in standby mode and is NOT recording.While in standby mode, set your record levels. Push the record button again to start recording. You’ll know you are recording when the solidred light is on, the timer is running, and the audio levels are moving.

5. Stop recording. You have to hit the stop button to stop the recording. If you hit record again, it will not stop.


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6. Use the menus. Toggle through the recorder menu to get more familiar with it.7. Save files to your hard drive. Your audio file will save as either a WAV or MP3 file depending on the settings of your recorder. Copy the file to

your hard drive and listen to it to make sure it works before returning the recorder or deleting it from the recorder. You can connect therecorder to the computer through the USB cable and copy the file(s) directly. Or, you can use the card reader on the computer to read the SDcard from the recorder.

Adapted from “Introduction to Multimedia Storytelling, Fall 2014″

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applied digital & social media · one or more sd cards to use with the digital audio recorders...

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