Weekly ALJ111 online seminar for off-campus students_ with Alison McAdam_default_9f6ff848

Introduction

• Welcome to week one seminar

• Alison McAdam is the tutor and unit chair

• Recording is for off-campus students who missed the live seminar

• Class will cover:

  • Overview of journalism and news

  • How the unit operates

  • Assessments and key journalism learning topics

Unit Overview

• Learning through practical experience is a core focus.

• Importance of trying and experimenting in journalism.

• Weekly learnings align with assignments.

  • Week 1-3 inform Assignment 1

  • Week 4-6 relate to Assignment 2.

Assessment Expectations

• Students will research real news stories and conduct interviews.

• Assessments include:

  • Writing a news story for print or online.

    • Must include a photo and caption.

  • Create and edit a radio news story (Assignment 2)

• Future courses will involve video journalism and photojournalism.

Skills for Journalists

• Key skills for success in journalism:

  • Summarizing information

  • Curiosity and adaptability

• Lack of experience in interviews is acceptable; skills will be taught in the unit.

Online Resources

• All study materials are accessible on the unit's online portal.

• Importance of checking class announcements weekly.

• Overview of the content tab and what it includes:

  • Links to assessments, study notes, and activities.

  • Weekly folders with slides, activities, and resources for learning.

Understanding News

• News can be defined in multiple ways:

  • Information about events, previously unknown facts, or significant content.

  • Must be relevant and communicated effectively to be considered newsworthy.

• The focus in ALJ 111 is on news writing and production.

Types of Journalism

• Different formats within journalism:

  • Hard News: Immediate reporting with high impact (latest happenings).

  • Soft News: Focuses on human interest; emphasizes personal stories and emotions.

  • Feature articles: In-depth stories not time-sensitive.

  • Commentary and opinion journalism.

  • Reviews (e.g., books, films, cafes).

News Values

• Determining factors for newsworthiness include:

  • Timeliness: Is it happening now?

  • Impact: Does it affect many people?

  • Prominence: Involves well-known figures.

  • Proximity: Geographic or emotional closeness.

  • Conflict: Disputes or disagreements.

  • Unusual: Quirky or bizarre events.

• Not necessary for a story to meet all values, but multiple values enhance newsworthiness.

Audience Consideration

• Understanding the target audience informs the relevance of the story.

• Potential audiences include local news outlets or student publications like Deakin's dScribe.

• Recognize audience impact when selecting and crafting stories.

Influences on News

• External factors affecting news reporting:

  • Social media trends, public relations, citizen journalism.

  • Ethical considerations and privacy issues.

Assessment Breakdown

Assessment 1

• Research File (800 words):

  • Outline an original news story idea.

  • Identify potential primary and secondary sources.

  • Create a list of interview questions.

  • Ensure story idea aligns with news values and is unique.

Assessment 2

• News Story (400 words):

  • Based on research file; must include quotes from at least two interviewees.

  • Include a relevant photo.

  • Submission must follow ethical guidelines on sourcing.

Assessment 3

• Radio News Story (50 seconds):

  • Producing a script and audio segment.

  • Must interview sources and include their sound bites.

Additional Resources for Finding Stories

• Tips for identifying potential stories through local newspapers.

• Encourage students to be observant of their surroundings for newsworthy topics.

Conclusion

• Stay engaged with various news sources and consider how news segments are structured.

• Next seminar will cover:

  • Finding news story ideas.

  • Understanding primary and secondary sources.

• Recording ended for online viewers; opening up for class questions.