COM 315 Writing for Digital Media

1. 1
COM 315
Writing for Digital Media
Unit 1: Introduction to Digital Media

2. Learning Goals
Class Introductions
The Syllabus
Class Expectations
Unit 1Agenda
What we’re doing this week

3. 6
LearningGoals

4. This Week’s Goals
• Introduce yourself to the class
• Examine current trends in digital media
• Demonstrate how to use a graphic design tool

5. 3
ClassIntroductions

6. Meet ProfessorPlake
• Teaches Public Speaking, Social Media, Media Studies,
New Media Production, Public Relations, and others
• Worked in PR/social and digital media at a community
college, 4-year university, and at Mayo Clinic
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from CCSU
• Master’s Degree in Public Relations from
Quinnipiac University
• Two research areas: Social media and higher education and
church crisis management

7. MY FAMILY

8. 3
TheSyllabus

9. Course Purpose
• The purpose of this course is to teach you how to write
effectively for online audiences
• Using the tools and techniques covered, you will be able
to produce better content for digital formats ranging
from online news products to video scripts to podcast
episodes

10. Major Course Goals
• Develop digital media writing and creation skills through
text, audio, and video projects
• Design a multimedia project based on best practices in
digital media creation
• Create a digital portfolio using a web design tool
• Develop high-quality journalistic writing skills using AP
Style
• Apply fundamental journalistic principles and theories to
digital media

11. Required Materials
• Convergent Journalism: An Introduction, Writing and
Producing Across Media (3rd edition) by Vincent F. Filak,
ISBN: 9780367336189.
• Supplemental articles or videos as assigned in the
modules

12. Assignments
320 points Digital Media Projects (8)
240 points Reflection Posts (6)
120 points Evaluations (6)
120 points Reading Quizzes (12)
100 points Multimedia Final Project
100 points Digital Portfolio
Total: 1,000 points

13. Make Up Policy
Quizzes, digital media projects, reflections, and evaluations
can be submitted late one daylatefor partialcredit.
Students are responsible for keeping track of any
assignments they miss. You do not need to tell me if you are
taking advantage of the one daylatepolicy.
Assignments due on the last day of late won’t be accepted
late and can’t be made up.

14. Office Hours and Contact
I have a mix of in-person and virtual office hours.
Go to the Syllabus tab on Canvas for my most up-to-date
office hours.
E-mail me at rplake@andersonuniversity.edu to make an
appointment to chat online through Zoom.
The best way to contact me is e-mail.
Give me 24 hours to respond.

15. 3
ClassExpectations

16. AnImportantNote
This class is about using media creation tools to produce content
in this world of digital media. I value creativity and hope Ihave
assigned enough interactive assignments to help you dive into
digital media.
However, please know that you willbeheavilygradedon following
directions.
Breathe.Focus. Double checkyour work.Readmyfeedback.

17. DigitalPortfolio
You will be creating a digital portfolio on Weebly.
You are assigned to create eight digitalmediaprojectsover the course of the
semester and will post the revised projects to your portfolio, due at the end
of course.
These are hands-on activities using tools that are related to digital media,
based on the chapter readings.
You will have an excellent portfolio at the end of the semester.

18. MultimediaFinalProject
The class culminates in a digital media project that incorporates what students
have learned over the semester.
Your final assignment will be to synthesize all of the information in a long-form
multimedia rich piece of journalism, a podcastepisode
• Research the topic
• Write the script
• Record the episode
• Edit the audio and add music
• Host on SoundCloud
• Create cover art for the episode
• Write show notes

19. Reflection Posts
Your will show your competence of digital media practices by
completing short writing assignments on the discussion board
You will read each other’s posts and publish at least
one thoughtful reply to a classmate’s post
Based on the chapter readings and are often hands-on exercises

20. Evaluations
You will conduct three peer evaluations and three self-evaluations
By looking at other’s work, you can identify your own skill gaps and
where your knowledge is weak
By looking at your own work, you can find constructive ways to improve
for the next project