Archives for March 2016

by on 2016-03-30

Project 3b Peer Review

This is the post for the Wednesday, March 30, 2016 class meeting.

Sad dog with the caption, Not following the rubric makes me sadPeer Review Process

We will complete an informal peer review activity today, following these instructions:

  • Review the Rubric for 4 Modes of Virginia Tech as a class and answer any questions.
  • Arrange the class into partner pairs or groups.
  • Use the Rubric for 4 Modes of Virginia Tech to work through your partner’s work.
  • Provide advice and support verbally. You will not turn in any written work.
  • Do any remaining revisions on your project once you have exchanged feedback.

Project Submission on Friday

Class will work online. There will be no class meeting in Shanks and no office hours.

Finish up work on your portfolio, and submit by 11:59 on Friday, 4/1:

  1. Go to the 4 Modes of Virginia Tech quiz in Canvas. While we are using the Quiz tool, your work is still a major project in the course.
  2. Work through the questions to ensure you include all of the required elements on the Rubric. If you are in a group, each group member needs to answer the questions.
  3. Submit it when you are done.

If you need more time to work on your project, use the Grace Period, which ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, 4/8. If you turn in your work, I assume it is ready to be graded. Remember that there are no rewrites or revisions after work is graded.

Work Schedule

M, 4/4

We’ll talk about documentation and permissions for graphics, sound clips, video clips, and even words. Read all of the following:

 
Last updated on 30th March, 2016, 11:29 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes
by on 2016-03-28

In-Class Work Day

This is the post for the Monday, March 28, 2016 class meeting.

Cat, with the caption, Does this selfie make my ears look big?More Work Time

You (and your group) will use today’s class session to continue work on your project. Remember the requirements for the activity:

  • Use at least 4 modes.
  • Well-designed (Uses design to make the project visually appealing and easy to read).
  • Take a risk. Try something new.

Documentation

Remember to include documentation for any images, photos, audio clips, videos, or text that you did not make yourself. You can include the citation as a caption or in end credits. Use whatever method makes sense for the tools you used to create your project. See the information in Writer/Designer (p. 70) for additional help.

Finished?

If you are done (or close to done), I’d like you to identify at least 3 things you could do to improve the project. Rank them, and then implement as many of the changes as you can.

Work Schedule

W, 3/30 Prepare to have a complete draft on Wednesday, when we will do informal peer reviews. We’ll go over the submission instructions.
F, 4/1 April Fools Day! Class will not meet (I’ll be in NOVA). In lieu of class, you will finalize your work and turn it in. The grace period will end at 11:59 PM on Friday, April 8.

 
Last updated on 28th March, 2016, 12:18 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes
by on 2016-03-25

Independent Work Day

This is the post for the Friday, March 25, 2016 class meeting.

How I Look Taking a SelfieTime to Work!

You (and your group) will use the class session to research, gather materials (assets), and generally work on your project.

Class will not meet (I will be presenting in a TLOS workshop, Jumpstart on Digital Storytelling), but you will need to complete the Selfie Quiz to show me that you were working for about 50 minutes.

Be prepared to work in the classroom on Monday.

Work Schedule

M, 3/28,
and
W, 3/30		 You (and your group) will work on your project in class. During these two days, I will ask each of you (or your group) to report to me on what you are doing and how it’s going.
F, 4/1 April Fools Day! Depending upon the progress on the project, it will either be due this day, OR this will be another day for you (and your group) to work independently on the project. Class will not meet (I’ll be in NOVA), but you will have work to complete.

 


 
Last updated on 25th March, 2016, 1:38 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes
by on 2016-03-23

Pitch Please!

This is the post for the Wednesday, March 23, 2016 class meeting.

Pitch Plan

pitch-please-234x300Today, you will pitch your project. There are no makeups for missed presentations. There are two goals:

  • Share what you are doing with the class
  • Give me the details about your project so I know you’re on the right track

The notes for what you need to include in your pitch will be on the screen, so you don’t have to worry about leaving anything out. You can pull them up on your computer screen as well if you want.

While you are pitching, I will be using a Canvas grading tool on my phone to give you credit for sharing the details. I may have follow-up questions or comments. So yes, it will look like I am fiddling with my phone, but I’m not playing Clash Royale. I promise.

If I think anything needs to be tweaked, I will email you. I won’t call you (or your group) out in front of the class. That’s just mean.

Quiz for Friday

Remember that class will not meet in the classroom on Friday. You will have the class session to work independently or with your group. Be sure to complete the Selfie Quiz.

Work Schedule

F, 3/25 You (and your group) will use the class session to research, gather materials (assets), and generally work on your project. Class will not meet (I will be presenting in a TLOS workshop, Jumpstart on Digital Storytelling), but you will need to complete the Selfie Quiz to show me that you were working for about 50 minutes.
M, 3/28,
and
W, 3/30		 You (and your group) will work on your project in class. During these two days, I will ask each of you (or your group) to report to me on what you are doing and how it’s going.
F, 4/1 April Fools Day! Depending upon the progress on the project, it will either be due this day, OR this will be another day for you (and your group) to work independently on the project. Class will not meet (I’ll be in NOVA), but you will have work to complete.

 
Last updated on 23rd March, 2016, 12:50 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: ,
by on 2016-03-21

Prepping for Project 3b Pitches

This is the post for the Monday, March 21, 2016 class meeting.

The New Project 3b

Don Draper on Mad Men set, with the caption I got 99 problems but a pitch ain't one.If you missed class on Friday, read back over the post from the session and check with a classmate to learn about the new requirements for the project formerly known as the Archive Project.

Prepare Your Pitch

You will pitch your project to the class on Wednesday, March 23. As Writer/Designer defines it, “A pitch is a short presentation that explains how the what and the how of your idea might come together in the final project. . . . Pitches are sometimes called elevator speeches, drawing on the idea of a writer who is on an elevator with a publisher and has only four floors to convince the publisher to accept his or her book proposal” (55).

You will have about 90 seconds to tell the class about your project. See the Work Schedule below for the details on what you need to cover and where to find help in the textbook.

Quiz for Friday

Remember that class will not meet in the classroom on Friday. You will have the class session to work independently or with your group. Take a look at the Selfie Quiz, and let me know if you have any questions today.

Work Schedule

M, 3/21

You will work in class to decide on your topic and how you are going to present it. The textbook has details on the tasks listed below, and the slideshow also has the basic definitions. You need to determine the following (W/D = Writer/Designer):

  • What you will focus on
  • The rhetorical situation for your project (W/D, pp. 22–27)
  • The four modes of communication you will include (W/D, pp. 3–13)
  • How you will take advantage of any affordances and work around any constraints (W/D, pp. 14–18)
  • How your design choices will support your rhetorical situation (W/D, pp. 31–39)
  • Prepare a pitch for your project that covers all the details above (W/D, pp. 51–56, note the questions on p. 56)
W, 3/23 You will give a pitch in class. You will have about 90 seconds each.
F, 3/25 You (and your group) will use the class session to research, gather materials (assets), and generally work on your project. Class will not meet (I will be presenting in a TLOS workshop, Jumpstart on Digital Storytelling), but you will need to complete the Selfie Quiz to show me that you were working for about 50 minutes.
M, 3/28,
and
W, 3/30		 You (and your group) will work on your project in class. During these two days, I will ask each of you (or your group) to report to me on what you are doing and how it’s going.
F, 4/1 April Fools Day! Depending upon the progress on the project, it will either be due this day, OR this will be another day for you (and your group) to work independently on the project. Class will not meet (I’ll be in NOVA), but you will have work to complete.

 
Last updated on 20th March, 2016, 7:22 PM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: ,
by on 2016-03-18

Changing the Archive Project

This is the post for the Friday, March 18, 2016 class meeting.

The Best Laid Plans

  • Cat near ceiling, stalking a helium balloon, with the caption, I can see no way in which this carefully laid plan could ever failFun group work
  • Extending the kinds of digital projects
  • Create a resource as a class

Suggested Solutions

Based on the suggestions you all gave me in the What Can We Do document yesterday, I’ve redesigned the project to include the following possibilities:

Topic

  • Any topic related to Virginia Tech, being a student, being a Hokie, etc. No need to stick to the Class Planning Doc.
  • Repeats are allowed.
  • Changes are allowed.
  • Groups (up to 4 people) are still allowed.

Form

The overarching requirement is that the form you choose MUST be something designed for online publication (and not something that is meant to be printed). Below are ten possibilities (cuz I’m tengrrl). You can also propose your own form.

  1. blog post about the event
  2. advertisement/commercial
  3. personal testimony
  4. eyewitness report/memoir
  5. information sheet
  6. infographic
  7. short flipbook
  8. public service announcement
  9. slide presentation
  10. web archive exhibit

Tools

These web-based tools can help you publish or build your project:

Audiences

  • an incoming Hokie
  • a potential Hokie
  • alumni
  • current students
  • students from other schools
  • international students
  • families
  • the public
  • sports fans
  • faculty and staff

Requirements

  • At least 4 modes
  • Well-designed
  • Take a risk. Try something new.

Work Schedule

F, 3/18

End of Portfolio Grace Period at 11:59 PM

F, 3/18,
and
M, 3/21

You will work in class to decide on your topic and how you are going to present it. The textbook has details on the tasks listed below, and the slideshow also has the basic definitions. You need to determine the following:

  • What you will focus on
  • The rhetorical situation for your project (W/D, pp. 22–27)
  • The four modes of communication you will include (W/D, pp. 3–13)
  • How you will take advantage of any affordances and work around any constraints (W/D, pp. 14–18)
  • How your design choices will support your rhetorical situation (W/D, pp. 31–39)
  • Prepare a pitch for your project that covers all the details above (W/D, pp. 51–56, note the questions on p. 56)
W, 3/23 You will give a pitch in class. You will have about 90 seconds each.
F, 3/25 You (and your group) will use the class session to research, gather materials (assets), and generally work on your project. Class will not meet (I will be presenting in a TLOS workshop, Jumpstart on Digital Storytelling), but you will need to turn in notes on what you accomplished.
M, 3/28,
and
W, 3/30		 You (and your group) will work on your project in class. During these two days, I will ask each of you (or your group) to report to me on what you are doing and how it’s going.
F, 4/1 April Fools Day! Depending upon the progress on the project, it will either be due this day, OR this will be another day for you (and your group) to work independently on the project. Class will not meet (I’ll be in NOVA), but you will have work to complete.

 
Last updated on 18th March, 2016, 10:11 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes
by on 2016-03-16

Archive Project Research

This is the post for the Wednesday, March 16, 2016 class meeting.

Choosing Your Archive Item

Orange cat in front of a computer monitor, with the caption, Research cat says Wikipedia not acceptable sourcePlease take care of this activity while I am taking attendance.

If you were in class last time:
You should already have an item chosen. I noticed that some people are signed up for multiple items however. Go to the Class Planning Doc and remove your name from all the items you are NOT doing. You can do only one.

If you were NOT in class last time:
You need to go to the Class Planning Doc and choose the place, thing, or event that you will contribute to our VT archive. You can take any item on the list that is not claimed, and you can add new items. Only one person (or group) can do each item, and groups have to be comprised of people in the same section.

What Is An Archive?

Let’s ask Wikipedia. Skim through the entry on Archive and look for definitions and key characteristics. You can also use Google search to find some example archives.

As you find relevant information, add them to the class document. Do not copy and paste however. Put the ideas into your own words

If you’re taking the Editing class this term (or you already have), here’s your chance to show off. Use your skills to add some useful design and unity to the document.

Note that the link to each class document will be removed immediately after class. All the links will be restored in the afternoon.

Preparing for a Multimodal Dig

  • Think about the five modes of communication. What artifacts can you gather to ensure you cover all five modes?
  • Consider the affordances and constraints of different kinds of artifacts. Remember the slideshow has the definitions.
  • Create a Dig List. Decide on the things you want to collect. Think through the modes, affordances and constraints for each one.
  • If you are working with a group, create shared location for your work and make sure everyone in your group has access. Also be sure that you have shared contact information and agreed upon when and how to contact one another.

Homework & Schedule Details

F, 3/18

Before class, read Chapter 2 of Writer/Designer, and be ready to apply the ideas of rhetorical situation and design choices to your archive project.

End of Portfolio Grace Period at 11:59 PM
M, 3/21 Something exciting I’m sure
W, 3/23 Which means I don’t know yet
F, 3/25 You (and your group) are free to use the class session to research and gather your artifacts. Class will not meet, but you will need to turn in notes on what you accomplished.
M, 3/28 Something exciting I’m sure
W, 3/30 Which means I don’t know yet
F, 4/1 April Fools Day! Class will not meet (No foolin, I’ll be in NOVA), but you will have work to complete.

 
Last updated on 17th March, 2016, 1:04 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With:
by on 2016-03-14

Archive Project Overview

This is the post for the Monday, March 14, 2016 class meeting.

Important Dates

  • horse on a treadmillMarch 18: End of Portfolio Grace Period at 11:59 PM

Project Overview

  • Mini-Project: Building a VT Archive (Group or Individual)
  • Mini-Project: Pink Time (Individual), More Info
  • Project 4: I Am… Intro Video (Individual or Pairs)
  • Take-Home Final: WordPress Revision & Maintenance Plan (Individual)

Five Modes of Communication

Today’s activity explores multimodal texts that you interact with every day. I have a slideshow that includes short definitions of the major concepts we will explore as we read Writer/Designer. To get started, we will examine the five modes of communication:

Five Modes of Communication

Image from page 4 of Writer/Designer

Beginning Mini-Project 2: Building a VT Archive

  • Talk as a class about the project, basic requirements, where to store it, and what tool to use, using the Class Planning Doc.
  • Brainstorm possible topics as a class.
  • Create new groups (1 to 4 people), and choose focus.
  • Gather any preliminary information your group will need to begin research and planning Wednesday.
  • Decide on any artifacts you need to bring in on Wednesday.

Homework

For Wednesday’s session (9/30), do the following before class:

  • Make sure you understand the five modes of communication before class. Prepare to talk about affordances and constraints. Review Chapter 1 of Writer/Designer if necessary.

 
Last updated on 14th March, 2016, 2:47 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With:
by on 2016-03-02

WordPress Work!

This is the post for the Wednesday, March 2, 2016 class meeting.

Important Dates

  • Darth Vader, with the caption, Damn You WordPress!March 4: WordPress Portfolio due by 11:59 PM
  • March 18: End of Portfolio Grace Period at 11:59 PM

Today

You have time to work on your WordPress sites. I will help as I can.

Refer to the Giant Page of WordPress Resources for help with WordPress.

Use the  Ten Design Tips to make wise design choices.

Friday

Class will work online. There will be no class meeting in Shanks and no office hours.

Finish up work on your portfolio, and submit by 11:59 on Friday, 3/4:

  1. Go to the WordPress Portfolio quiz in Canvas. While we are using the Quiz tool, your Portfolio is still a major project in the course.
  2. Consult the rubric to see how the sites will be graded.
  3. If you like, you can use the WordPress Portfolio Worksheet to gather your answers before pasting them into Canvas. You will NOT turn in the worksheet. It’s for your personal use only.
  4. Work through the questions in Canvas to ensure you have included all of the required elements.
  5. Submit the quiz when you are done.

If you need more time to work on your site, use the Grace Period, which ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, 3/18. If you turn in your work, I assume it is ready to be graded. Remember that there are no rewrites or revisions after work is graded.

Homework

For Monday’s session (3/14), do the following before class:

  • Read Chapter 1 of Writer/Designer and be ready to apply what you read about the modes of communication in class.
  • We’ll start our next mini-project in class, using information from the text. You may want to bring it to class.

 
Last updated on 2nd March, 2016, 12:47 PM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: , , ,