This two semester-long module introduces students to the background of the ‘online revolution’ and its implications for the role of the journalist and the future of the industry. Through lectures and practical workshops students will gain understanding of the impact of the internet including social media on reporting and writing and an introduction to multimedia reporting including video. Assessment for this module takes the form of a portfolio (100%) of multimedia content including video, some of which is researched and created in students' own time.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module will be delivered through a mix of lectures and workshops. The lectures will deliver the background rationale for the tasks students will carry out in the workshops, ensuring they understand how a converged newsroom operates and the changing role of the journalist within it.
The workshops will be used to develop students' practical skills in writing for and uploading content to the web, developing an effective online platform through blogging, multimedia content production including video and using search engines, social media and other digital tools for journalism. Students will also be given the opportunity to identify and explore examples of innovative practice and examine the future of journalism.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture 1 hour per week Workshop 2 hours per week | 66 |
| Guided independent study | Reading, blogging and group project | 234 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The assessment for this module is designed to ensure students achieve a balance of critical understanding of the new media environment and key practical skills required to work within it.
The element of assessment will be multimedia portfolio (100%) equivalent to 2500 words.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Understand the changing nature of the contemporary journalistic environment and the impact of digital media on the future of the industry | Formative: Students research and examine ideas for the future of journalism and innovative practice including data and entrepreneurial journalism |
| Create effective journalistic content for the web | Summative: Students create an individual multimedia blog and participate in a group project where they work as a part of a web team and make a multimedia website around a particular news story |
| Show an understanding of visual storytelling and multimedia skills including video | Formative: Students research and analyse examples and techniques for visual storytelling on the web and undertake exercises such as photoblogging and sourcing/aggregating multimedia from around the web Summative: Students shoot and edit a video and upload to their blog |
| Analyse the requirements of multiple platforms for journalism | Formative: Students research and analyse the differences in content presentation for platforms including mobile |
| Engage with appropriate journalistic use of social media and online communities and harness them effectively | Formative: Students critically appraise online sources, apply journalistic checks and identify and engage users online (classwork) Summative: Students show evidence of engagement in social media and online communities through promotion of their blog |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| CWK | Multimedia Portfolio | 100 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Bradshaw, Paul and Rohumaa, Liisa (2011) The Online Journalism Handbook: Skills to Survive and Thrive in the Digital Age Longman
McAdams, Mindy (2009) Reporter’s Guide to Multimedia Profiency Creative Commons
Harding, Luke and Leigh, David (2010)Wikileaks: Inside Julian Assange’s war on secrecy Guardian Books
Keeble, Richard Lance and Mair, John eds (2011) Face the Future: The Internet and Journalism today Abramis
http://www.mediabistro.com/10000words/