Course Syllabus

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Digital Media

Syllabus




INSTRUCTOR:         Bradley Compton

OFFICE:                   T101 - in Media Center

OFFICE HOURS:     Whenever school is in session

OFFICE PHONE:     295-4747 or 295-8095

E-MAIL ADDRESS:  bcompton@elkhart.k12.in.us

COURSE PAGE:      https://elkhart.instructure.com (Canvas)

 

***RETURN TO THE SYLLABUS AND CHECK

THE CALENDAR FREQUENTLY FOR UPDATES***


DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to teach students how to find, understand, and use both digital and analog information effectively, ethically, and safely as well as how to anchor our school news.  It covers intellectual property and copyright and identifies sources where one can use information without breaking intellectual property laws. Students will learn the fundamentals of finding and using the library’s digital resources and books, e.g., using the online catalog and physically browsing for books using the Dewey Decimal System.  The course identifies online databases and teaches basic research skills using books and digital information sources to prepare students to do proper research and employ these techniques to improve their lives as 21st Century citizens. Students will also participate in the school video news production and anchor the news frequently.  Previous students returning for additional semesters will have some different coursework requirements than new students.  


COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Effectively deliver the news using proper vocal techniques (voice inflection, reading from a teleprompter, etc.) and physicality (posture, head movements, etc.)
  • Learn fundamentals of intellectual property laws, e.g., copyright, public domain, fair use, Creative Commons, etc.
  • Learn elements of digital citizenship 
  • Become proficient at the fundamentals of Google Apps for Education (GAFE) account use, e.g, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc.  
  • Become proficient at using our online public access catalog (OPAC), Destiny, e.g., finding books and eBooks using a variety of search functions, looking up personal information after signing in, etc.
  • Learn some of the freely available database resources through the Indiana State Public Library resource INSPIRE and using Elkhart Public Library eCards

 

COURSE TOPICS

  • News anchoring techniques, e.g., posture, voice inflection, head movements, looking and sounding professional
  • Intellectual property
  • Becoming proficient at our school online catalog (Destiny) and learning how to effective browse the stacks for books
  • Accessing and using databases

 

TEXT AND REQUIRED SUPPLIES

Online resource links, and document and video tutorials comprise course materials.

 

GRADING PLAN

Coursework will be weighted as follows:

 

New Students

  • News Anchoring  10%
  • Anchoring Quiz  10%
  • Copyright Quiz  10%
  • GAFE Assignment  15%
  • Destiny Assignment 15%  
  • Database Assignment  15%
  • Final Exam  25%

 

Returning Students

  • News Anchoring  5%
  • Anchoring Quiz   5%
  • News Editing  13%
  • News Recording  13%
  • Copyright Quiz  5%
  • GAFE Assignment  13%
  • Destiny Assignment  13%
  • Database Assignment  13%
  • Final Exam  20%

 

GENERAL

Grades will be available for your review in Canvas.


CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

  • You must sign the roll sheet and sit near the circulation desk during class time.  I am frequently called away and if I do not see you or see that you’ve signed the attendance sheet, you will be marked absent.
  • You are expected to use class time for Digital Media coursework.  This is not a study hall - studying or doing work for other courses is not an acceptable excuse for neglecting Digital Media assignments or anchoring the news.
  • If you’re asked to anchor the news for the day, refusal to do so for reasons other than illness (e.g., laryngitis) will result in point reduction from your anchoring grade.  If you need to wear corrective eyewear to read the teleprompter, you will be given one free pass the first time you forget to bring it; further instances will result in point deduction.
  • Eating and drinking are not permitted in the media center including during lunchtime without exception.
  • You must check our school email everyday and respond to every email you receive from your instructor.  Failure to do so could result in points taken off of your grade.
  • If you do not understand assignment instructions or encounter a problem preventing you from completing an assignment, ask the instructor for help.
  • Assignments requiring submission must either be created in or sent to your assigned Google Drive folder.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due