How could this course be enhanced, improved or changed?

This post is very hard for me to write. Quite honestly, JOMC 711 is a great course – the best course I’ve taken in the certificate program. I’m having a hard time thinking how the course could be improved or enhanced, but I suppose there’s always room for improvement in anything.

One thing that comes to mind is technical issues. I believe I mentioned this on the discussion board near mid-term. A few times during the semester, it would have been nice to have had a bit of instant support WordPress support from UNC, but I was able to get an email back in a day or so.

Also, as I stated on the discussion board, I would have liked to have heard a bit more about the instructor’s experiences.

How has your writing for and understanding of digital environments changed since taking this course?

I came into this course with a strong background in traditional newspaper journalism and a small amount of public relations experience, so I had a lot to learn. Since taking the course, I’ve learned new ways of formatting and writing for an online audience, while continuing to develop “traditional” writing skills, such as clarity, conciseness and credibility.

Perhaps the most important element of online writing I have learned is “the three-second rule.” People tend to scan, rather than read, online. Therefore, it is important to immediately get their attention. The headline revision exercises really helped me to understand just how important it is to concisely summarize what the article is about.

Another important concept I learned is the importance of knowing your audience. The weeks 9 and 10 assignments forced me to really sit down and consider the members of my audience – their age, their race, their geographic location, their expectations of an online publication, etc.

Department of Communication

Assignment: Develop an interactive page of frequently asked questions for the organization that we created online content for in weeks 9 and 10

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why should I read the Catamount Communicator?

Reading the Catamount Communicator keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and events of the Department of Communication – news that may dramatically affect your academic success or that may enable you to learn something new about the department and what we have to offer.   You may also learn about part-time jobs and internship opportunities. Additionally, you’ll be able to learn more about faculty members and fellow students through the newsletter’s feature articles.

Online content for Catamount Communicator, the e-newsletter of the Department of Communication, Western Carolina University, as described in weeks 8 and 9

Article about departmental split/reorganization-Communication Department splits from Theatre & Dance

Article about faculty member Padraig Acheson-Acheson spent nearly 30 years working with major television networks

Article about Russian student Larisa Zhukova-Student finds a warm welcome at WCU

Departmental Photos-Departmental picnic and National Association of Broadcasters Conference

Important Dates and Announcements -Upcoming fellowship opportunities and schedules

November 11, 2007

Department of Communication
Western Carolina University
Old Student Union 109
Cullowhee, NC 28723

Contact: Betty Dishman
(828)227-3846
(828)227-7647-Fax
bdishman@email.wcu.edu
Don Connelly
(828)227-3851
(828)227-7647(Fax)
dconnelly@email.wcu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Emmy Award -Winning News Photographer to Teach in WCU’s Department of Communication

CULLOWHEE, N.C.-Two-time regional Emmy-winning news photographer, Leighton Grant, will teach a television production class for the Department of Communication at Western Carolina University, beginning January 2008.

I ended up enjoying my live blogging assignment more than I thought I would. When I first learned what the assignment entailed, however, I was ambivalent.

Assignment: To live blog an event, conference, etc. as a citizen journalist.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Western North Carolina Pottery Festival

Dillsboro, N.C.

4 p.m. – I stop by the t-shirt booth as the last raffle ticket is drawn, hoping I’ll win a piece of pottery. Darn it! Guess I’m not supposed to win any pottery today. Oh well, it was still an enjoyable day. I chat with friends and tell them that I don’t ever recall seeing such a variety of pottery, especially when I realize that it all starts out as a single glob of clay.

If you’re looking for a festival that includes a variety of crafts and activities, as well as food booths, you’ll be disappointed. But if you really like pottery, then you’re sure to find some interesting pieces.

3:43 p.m. – The festival is beginning to wind down, and the crowd is thinning out. I ask potter Michael LaLone of Murphy, N.C., if he’s had a good day. Yes, he replies. One of his former professors, Perry Kelly, from Western Carolina University, paid him the ultimate compliment, by buying several of his pieces. He’s busy boxing them for Perry.

As a follow-up to last week’s assignment, I propose the following content for The Catamount Communicator, the electronic newsletter of the Department of Communication, Western Carolina University:

Lead Article:

The lead article will be a press release/news article regarding the new Communication Department. The article will focus on the recent split from the old Communication, Theatre & Dance Department, as well as a few sentences about goals and aspirations of new department head, Don Connelly.

Proposal: An electronic newsletter for current students, faculty and staff, as well as prospective students, in the Department of Communication at Western Carolina University. Currently, no departmental newsletter – electronic or hard copy – exists.

Revised headlines:

Original Headline: Put money where moths are (Charlotte Observer, Oct. 2)

Problem: Too much of a cliche, like “Put your money where your mouth is,”
vague, is there a moth problem?

Revision: City allocates money for moth control