Multimedia advice

Leslie-Jean Thornton teaches exemplary multimedia journalism

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Earlier this month I stumbled across a site for journalism students at the Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication in Phoenix, Arizona. Taught by Dr. Leslie-Jean Thornton, I was amazed to see all of the resources she provides and the skills she uses to connect with her students. By using blogrolls, twitter hashtags and a growing list of resources and inspirational examples, she has created a well-rounded learning environment for her students.

If you are a professor, I encourage you to use this site as inspiration. If you are a professional, use it as continued education. Finally, if you are a student, use the resources as supplemental material to leverage your education.

It is clearly evident that Thornton understands the importance of multimedia, and where journalism needs to be to survive. Read the class synopsis to learn more about this innovative course:

“This class focuses on two types of skills: technical — such as knowing appropriate software and equipment — and conceptual process skills. These include knowing how to plan and create journalistic projects that inform people in effective ways and are professionally sound, and understanding the ways in which “journalism” is changing as a result of the Internet. We’ll focus on being literate in the multimedia world and learning how to stay that way. These skill packages will help you choose the most effective kinds of platforms to use for your reporting, and will help you think beyond merely meeting the needs of the workplace. You will gain a growing understanding of collaborative work patterns and possibilities while simultaneously becoming more self-sufficient.”

Now, check out their “To-Do” list:

• use Twitter and related social network tools
• set up a blog and post multimedia reports
• create a basic Web page with HTML coding
• create more advanced pages with CSS and a Web-authoring program
• work with AP news copy
• create different kinds of multimedia slide shows for online
• create story packages that integrate text, visuals and sound
• create text designed for online readers
• work with online content forms (such as issue shells)
• work with digital cameras, camcorders and audio recorders to produce online material
• produce interactive infographics
• create editing approaches tailored to multimedia reports
• create video for online
• distinguish between “shovelware” or repurposed content and work that has been skillfully developed for the Web
• work with CMS (content management systems)
• quickly and intelligently use Web resources to find information
• develop an understanding of the monumental changes taking place in civic and social communication
• gain an understanding of the wide range of journalistic possibilities and options

It is truly refreshing to see a course that teaches such a breadth of skills, ranging from HTML and CSS design to interactive infographics. By teaching the importance of social media, blogging, CMSs, and more, she is successfully preparing her students for the next generation of multimedia storytelling. Kudos to her and I hope many out there utilize her excellent Website to learn something new today.

Other posts that might interest you:

• University of Miami students promo projects on VisualJournalism blog
• UNC launches News21 multimedia project
• Multimedia guru Gabriel Dance advises on how to present data on the Web

© 28 October 2009 Innovative Interactivity (II).