A blog about teaching a journalism unit with a class set of iPads.
9.27.12
Over the next month I have been given the opportunity to teach my journalism class with iPads. Having the opportunity to do this was very exciting in theory, but as the reality of passing the iPads is happening I can only find myself guarding against all of the things that could go wrong over the next month. I am plagued by thoughts of how professional journalists have been unable to handle the new journalism world and how my high school students may struggle with the new found power of having a publishing tool at their fingertips at all times. In truth, many of my students have already had this power, but giving it to all of them seems much more intimidating.
The students have been given weekly assignment and one unit assignment with the iPads.
WEEKLY PROJECTS:
Every week they will have to write a 500 word blog entry reflecting on their use of the iPad. These blogs will be posted on their staff blog pages.
The second weekly project is to follow a Twitter list of more than 50 journalists and publications they enjoy reading. From that list they will then use Hootsuite to star their favorite posts and then from what they have starred they will create a Storify to share their favorite journalism tweets from the month. If I could use another app to complete that project I might get an app bonus!
They need to record all their interviews every week on video. If a person doesn’t want to be video interviewed then they can record their voice. These videos and audio samples will be used to write their stories and to create internet exclusive content.
Post a story every week using an iPad. All stories breaking or not will have to be read over by an editor before being published. Any questionable sources, criminal charges, athletic injuries will need to be thoroughly fact checked. Recently, the staff has had a few good lessons on the importance of confirming official sources when dealing with injuries and school suspensions. Printing gossip and a firm discussion of how to do no harm in journalism and what should not be printed will be a key component of the first week.
TEAM UNIT PROJECTS
Video Features – Art Projects using Sketchbook Pro – Video Tutorials for the Staff – A Series of Podcasts –
The above options will be given for students to complete over the next month along with the option of pitching me an idea. The will work in teams of no more than two on these projects and weekly progress reports will be turned in via their blogs. Participation points will also be worth 20% of their grade based on how well they are using their class time.