Dec. 15: Final projects due for Wednesday class

Just a reminder that the final projects for Wednesday’s class are due by 3:50 p.m. Monday (Dec. 15). Our final exam period is 2-3:50 p.m.

  • Your project must be posted to your blog in blog post 9 by 3:50 p.m. Monday
  • You do not have to come to class at 2 p.m. Monday, but you can earn up to 5 points extra credit by giving an informal presentation about your project.
  • You can use one of the classroom computers during the final exam period to finish your project.

Blog post 9 should:

  • Discuss the challenges you faced in producing your final project and how you overcame them
  • Detail at least one way in which you’re proud of your final project
  • Include a link to your project (if video or website) or PDF of the project (if using Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)
  • Be at least 250 words and use proper grammar/complete sentences

Reminder: You do not have to come to class during the final period, but your project & blog post MUST be posted to your blog by the end of the time period.

  • Monday class final period: noon-1:50 p.m. Dec. 12
  • Wednesday class final period: 2-3:50 p.m. Dec. 15

Have a great winter break!

Dec. 12: Final projects due for Monday class

Just a reminder that the final projects for Monday’s class are due by 1:50 p.m. Friday (Dec. 12). Our final exam period is noon-1:50 p.m.

  • Your project must be posted to your blog in blog post 9 by 1:50 p.m. Friday
  • You do not have to come to class at noon Friday, but you can earn up to 5 points extra credit by giving an informal presentation about your project.
  • You can use one of the classroom computers during the final exam period to finish your project.

Blog post 9 should:

  • Discuss the challenges you faced in producing your final project and how you overcame them
  • Detail at least one way in which you’re proud of your final project
  • Include a link to your project (if video or website) or PDF of the project (if using Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)
  • Be at least 250 words and use proper grammar/complete sentences

Reminder: You do not have to come to class during the final period, but your project & blog post MUST be posted to your blog by the end of the time period.

  • Monday class final period: noon-1:50 p.m. Dec. 12
  • Wednesday class final period: 2-3:50 p.m. Dec. 15

Have a great winter break!

Online course evaluations due

If you haven’t already done so, please fill out the online course evaluation for our class (and your other comm classes.) Evaluations are included in faculty annual reports and are a significant part of the consideration process when we apply for tenure–so please complete one for all of your classes.

  • Tuesday is the last day to complete your online course evaluations

To access the Online Course Evaluation Form for a course:

  1. Log into mySLU and open Banner Self-Service
  2. Click on the Student link
  3. Click on the Registrations link
  4. Click on the Student Schedule: Detail link
  5. Open the evaluation form for a course by clicking on the “Click here to Evaluate” link

Dec. 8: Open lab session for both classes

Dec. 8: Optional open lab day for both classes. I will be in the classroom to offer feedback & other resources.

  • Open lab: 1:10-2:25 p.m. Dec. 8

Finals week: Final projects are due, along with blog post 9. The blog post should:

  • Discuss the challenges you faced in producing your final project and how you overcame them
  • Detail at least one way in which you’re proud of your final project
  • Be at least 250 words and include a link to your project (if video or website) or PDF of the project (if using Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)

Reminder: You do not have to come to class during the final period, but your project & blog post MUST be posted to your blog by the end of the time period. If you choose to come to lab during the final period, you can earn up to 5 points extra credit by giving an informal presentation about your completed project.

  • Monday class final period: noon-1:50 p.m. Dec. 12
  • Wednesday class final period: 2-3:50 p.m. Dec. 15

Dec. 1/3: Final project workshop

Dec. 1/3 class: In-class workshop for final project

Due Dec. 1/3: Blog 8 post is due at the start of class. It should provide an update of how your final project is progressing (so you need to have worked on it on your own) in about 200 words.

  • Attendance is mandatory — this is our last required class session of the semester!

Dec. 8: Optional open lab day for both classes. I will be in the classroom to offer feedback & other resources.

  • Open lab: 1:10-2:25 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8

Finals week: Final projects are due, along with blog post 9. The blog post should detail the challenges you faced in producing your final project and how you overcame them, as well as at least one way in which you’re proud of your final project. Blog post 9 should be at least 250 words and include a link to your project (if video or website) or PDF of the project (if using Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)

  • Reminder: You do not have to come to class during the final period, but your project & blog post MUST be posted to your blog by the end of the time period. If you choose to come to lab during the final period, you can earn up to 5 points extra credit by giving an informal presentation about your completed project.
  • Monday class final period: noon-1:50 p.m. Dec. 12
  • Wednesday class final period: 2-3:50 p.m. Dec. 15

Extra credit Wednesday: Learn about digital portfolios

The Communication Department is hosting an info session at noon Wednesday about designing a digital portfolio.

  • Mentoring Matters: Digital Portfolios
  • Noon Wednesday (Nov. 19)
  • Xavier Hall 332
  • Feel free to bring your lunch!

I am leading the session, which will focus on how to approach creating a digital portfolio to showcase your work and expand your online identity. We’ll go over how to select content for your site, determine the best design presentation, and choose a platform for your portfolio. The event is part of the Communication Mentoring Matters series for communication students.

  • Take a pic & tweet it, or post it to your blog with a short summary (up to 3 pts)
    • Take a photo at the event AND tweet a bit of advice you learned at the internship event
    • Use @SLUcomm and identify people in the pic with their Twitter handle (if they have one. Mine is @onlineamber)
    • If you post to your blog, email me to let me know
    • Due by 5 p.m. Wednesday

Nov. 19/24: Presentations of final project plans

Nov. 19/24 class: Informal presentations of plans for your final project, a.k.a. new/advanced technology learning enrichment.

Options for project

  1. Teach yourself a new technology software (such as graphic design program Illustrator or audio editing software Soundtrack Pro, both of which are available through our class lynda.com account)
  2. Expand your knowledge of a software program we’ve already learned

Examples of possible projects

InDesign: Design a four-page newsletter for an organization, with original content (including photos & text)

Photoshop: Create a six-photo story (each photo must include at least four edits and the edits must vary between the photos) and upload to Flickr so they will appear on your blog. Examples: Alex Vavra & Emily Nowell

iMovie or Final Cut Pro: Create a three- to five-minute film based on original content. I must approve your project before you begin. Examples: Kate Rands, Tynan Shevlin &  Zach Strehlau

Illustrator: Create brand materials for yourself or an organization (with permission). It should include a business card, logo, stationery, and two-sided brochure. Examples: Ashley Scrivner & Jackie Fuqua

Soundtrack Pro: Create a seven- to nine-minute audio documentary on an issue that interests you. It should include at least two interviews and two  ambient sounds; it also can include music but it must be copyright-free or used under license from Creative Commons.

Web design: Use a free website builder (such as Wix or Weebly) to create a personal website that showcases your work. It must have the following pages: About, Portfolio, Resume, and Contact. Examples: Shannon Boyle

(Note: These are not the only options for the project. You are free to come up with another plan & can contact me with questions.)

Due Nov. 19/24: Blog post 7 and informal presentation on your plan for teaching yourself a technology are due at the start of lab.

Presentation details: Be prepared to detail the technology software you will use and and the project you will complete. Your presentation doesn’t have to include a PowerPoint, but you must provide an example/inspiration for your project. (“Providing” is done by completing blog post 7 — see details below)

  • Are you going to learn a new software or expand your knowledge of one we’ve already learned this semester?
  • How will your project showcase your new/expanded skill?
  • How is your project relevant to what you’ve learned in lab/class, or your future career?
  • What do you hope to gain/learn from completing your project?

Blog post 7: The post should address the questions above in at least 250 words, and use complete sentences and proper grammar.

  • The post must also include a visual (photo/video) or link to your example/inspiration material

Nov. 26: No class (Thanksgiving break)

Dec. 1/3 class: In-class workshop for final project

Due Dec. 1/3: Blog 8 post is due at the start of class. It should provide an update of how your final project is progressing (so you need to work on it on your own between lab sessions) in about 200 words.

Nov. 12/17: Intro video due by end of class

Nov. 12/17 class: Intro video must be completed by the end of lab, which means it must be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and properly linked on your “About” page.

  • It will take about 30 minutes for your video to load & process on YouTube/Vimeo, therefore you need to finish your video early in class so it has time to be uploaded.
  • See the tutorial on the class Blackboard page for uploading instructions.

Due Nov. 12/17: Intro video posted to your “About” page via You Tube or Vimeo AND new blog post of 250 words reflecting on your FCP experience. Consider:

  • What did you like about learning Final Cut Pro? What was a challenge?
  • What do you like about your video? What would you do differently?
  • How might knowing Final Cut Pro help you in the future?

Checklist for your video: Your edited video should be/have…

  •  A coherent storyline
  • At least one B-roll sequence with interview audio
  • No more than two transition effects
  • No jump cuts (two interview sequences back-to-back without a transition effect between the footage)
  • At least 30 seconds long and not more than 1 minute
  • CG info identifying you at the beginning of the video
  • End credits that include “Produced by…”
  • If you used music in your video, the end credits must also list the artist & song title. Make sure you adhere to copyright guidelines via Creative Commons.

Nov. 19/24 class: Informal presentations of plans for your final project, a.k.a. new/advanced technology learning enrichment.

Options for project

  1. Teach yourself a new technology software (such as graphic design program Illustrator or audio editing software Soundtrack Pro, both of which are available through our class lynda.com account)
  2. Expand your knowledge of a software program we’ve already learned

Examples of possible projects

InDesign: Design a four-page newsletter for an organization, with original content (including photos & text)

Photoshop: Create a six-photo story (each photo must include at least four edits and the edits must vary between the photos) and upload to Flickr so they will appear on your blog. Examples: Alex Vavra & Emily Nowell

iMovie or Final Cut Pro: Create a three- to five-minute film based on original content. I must approve your project before you begin. Examples: Kate Rands, Tynan Shevlin &  Zach Strehlau

Illustrator: Create brand materials for yourself or an organization (with permission). It should include a business card, logo, stationery, and two-sided brochure. Examples: Ashley Scrivner & Jackie Fuqua

Soundtrack Pro: Create a seven- to nine-minute audio documentary on an issue that interests you. It should include at least two interviews and two  ambient sounds; it also can include music but it must be copyright-free or used under license from Creative Commons.

Web design: Use a free website builder (such as Wix or Weebly) to create a personal website that showcases your work. It must have the following pages: About, Portfolio, Resume, and Contact. Examples: Shannon Boyle

(Note: These are not the only options for the project. You are free to come up with another plan & can contact me with questions.)

Due Nov. 19/24: Blog post 7 and informal presentation on your plan for teaching yourself a technology are due at the start of lab.

Presentation details: Be prepared to detail the technology software you will use and and the project you will complete. Your presentation doesn’t have to include a PowerPoint, but you must provide an example/inspiration for your project. (“Providing” is done by completing blog post 7 — see details below)

  • Are you going to learn a new software or expand your knowledge of one we’ve already learned this semester?
  • How will your project showcase your new/expanded skill?
  • How is your project relevant to what you’ve learned in lab/class, or your future career?
  • What do you hope to gain/learn from completing your project?

Blog post 7: The post should address the questions above in at least 250 words, and use complete sentences and proper grammar.

  • The post must also include a visual (photo/video) or link to your example/inspiration material

Nov. 5/10: In-class editing on video project

Nov. 5/10 class: Editing with Final Cut Pro. I will come around to give feedback on what you’ve edited so far.

Nov. 12/17 class: Intro video must be completed by the end of lab, which means it must be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and properly linked on your “About” page.

Due Nov. 12/17: Intro video posted to your “About” page via You Tube or Vimeo AND new blog post of 250 words reflecting on your FCP experience. Consider:

  • What did you like about learning Final Cut Pro? What was a challenge?
  • What do you like about your video? What would you do differently?
  • How might knowing Final Cut Pro help you in the future?

Checklist for your video: Your edited video should be/have…

  •  A coherent storyline
  • At least one B-roll sequence with interview audio
  • No more than two transition effects
  • No jump cuts (two interview sequences back-to-back without a transition effect between the footage)
  • At least 30 seconds long and not more than 1 minute

about me tips

Oct. 29/Nov. 3: Hello Final Cut Pro…

Oct. 29 (Wed.)/Nov. 3 (Mon.) class: We’ll cover Final Cut Pro editing basics and you’ll use the lab time to edit your intro videos.

Due Oct. 29 (Wed.)/Nov. 3 (Mon.): Rough video of your interview and B-roll

  • YOUR FOOTAGE MUST BE LOADED INTO FCP BY THE START OF CLASS. It takes several minutes to transfer files from a memory card into FCP and we’re not wasting time in class waiting on anyone to do that.

Wondering what you should talk about in your intro video? Check out these examples from previous students: Ian Sullivan and Carolyn Jackson.

  • Introduce yourself (Name, Year, Major, School name)
  • What do you like about using technology?
  • How do you think technology (and your technology skills) will help you in the future?
  • How do you think technology will evolve?
  • How do you think that evolution will help you communicate with others?
  • How do you think technology will help you in your future career?

Are you close to graduating and want to showcase your experience a bit more? You might go this route, similar to Emma Goldschmidt or Jill Szwed:

  • Introduce yourself by name
  • Identify yourself as a SLU student & communication (NOT communicationS) major
  • What do you like about your chosen field?
  • What type of experience do you have working/volunteering in that field?
  • What do you see as the future of your chosen field?
  • What kind of a job are you looking for? (or what are your plans after graduation?)
  • A couple of interesting facts about you

What’s B-roll?

  • Action footage of you doing something related to what you talk about in your intro video
  • Can mix in some photos but should have at least one action video sequence

Nov. 5/10 class: Editing with Final Cut Pro. I will come around to give feedback on what you’ve edited so far.

Nov. 12/17 class: Intro video must be completed by the end of lab, which means it must be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and properly linked on your “About” page.

Checklist for your video: Your edited video should be/have…

  •  A coherent storyline
  • At least one B-roll sequence with interview audio
  • No more than two transition effects
  • No jump cuts (two interview sequences back-to-back without a transition effect between the footage)
  • At least 30 seconds long and not more than 1 minute