Video Editing Tutorials
On Monday, we'll poke around in iMovie. I've put together a basic functionality tutorial guide. You can find it in our Google Drive. We'll also watch this brief video about the interface in Camtasia (very similar to iMovie-- free 30-day trial; also available in the CIM center and on some of the library's computers). While we won't spend a lot of time on Camtasia in class, the video will help you get a feel for whether or not you think it will be useful.
Midterm Exam on Wednesday 3/16!
Just a reminder that our midterm exam will be held during class on Wednesday March 16th. There are PLENTY of study materials available in our GoogleDrive including the collaboratively built study guide, the Jeopardy board from our in-class review session, and every document from our in-class activities. Most if not all of the questions will be taken directly from the midterm review. It's also advised that you closely revisit the readings on foundations of rhetoric (rhetorical appeals, the rhetorical situation/triangle, etc.), design theory, and fair use. Be prepared to do more than simply provide definitions of terminology-- in most cases you'll be asked to provide examples of certain terms/concepts or apply terms/concepts from the course to a case example. Don't forget to bring headphones!
Grading & Other Announcements
- Homework for Monday March 7th: please make sure to read the two readings linked on the schedule, complete response #7 (the prompt is in the response document), and leave comments on response #5. For efficiency’s sake and ease of navigation, I put a link at the top of the response document that will take you to the start of response 5.
- Remember that we will “meet” online on Monday using GoogleDrive. At 10am on Monday, you’ll find a folder in our GoogleDrive in the “In-Class Activities” folder labeled “3/7.” There, you’ll find a document labeled “3/7: Virality and Rhetorical Velocity.” This document will contain directions to follow in order to complete the activity for the day. You must complete the activity by 11:20am on Monday 3/7 or it will count as an absence.
- I’ve updated your responses/comments grades in your grading documents. So far, I’ve graded responses through #6 and comments through #4. Therefore, I’ve graded 80 points worth (of 150 total). In the “notes” column, I’ve listed your current point total out of 80. If you don’t have full credit, I’ve noted what wasn’t completed, turned in late, and/or was too short/didn’t fully engage the prompt. Please let me know if you have any questions or if I’ve made any errors. As you can imagine, it’s easy for some comments to get lost in the shuffle. Keep in mind, you still have comments on responses 5-10, plus responses 7-10 left to do this semester (worth 70 points in sum).
- Project 1 grades are (mostly) complete (if yours isn’t graded yet, it will be by the afternoon on Saturday March 5th). In your individual folder, you’ll see I created a Project 1 folder. You’ll find comments from me throughout your craft statement, and I’ve also create a doc titled “P1 Comments” that contains a rubric with some feedback about the visual itself. Your grade should be recorded in your grading document. Double-check my math and let me know if anything looks off. It has been such a pleasure to read these craft statements and see your visuals, you all! I’m very proud of the level of work you’re producing for the class-- the bar is set high for the podcasts!
As you work on project 2...
This is just a reminder that we won't meet on Wednesday in favor of independent work time on project 2. Don't forget to utilize the resources linked on our site and seek out the help of the CIM center or the writing centers on campus. The sign-up sheet for optional conferences with me is in our main GoogleDrive folder. By class time on Wednesday, even though we don't meet, please make sure to complete response #6 and leave comments for peers on response #4. As always, email me with any questions!
Audacity Workshop on Monday 2-29
Be following along on the course schedule for specifics on what's coming up. This is a reminder that while the homework for Monday is to download Audacity and read the linked wiki page, you're not required to use Audacity. It's always a good idea to experiment with a number of different platforms before settling on one, so try to remain open to at least trying it :) In class on Monday, I'll show some of the basic features before giving you some time to play around and/or start building your podcast. If you're uncomfortable downloading Audacity to your machine or if you run into issues because of Windows 10 compatibility, keep in mind that you can use one of the Macs in our room. You also have access to sound editing software/Audacity in the CIM labs. See the links on the resources page for more specifics about the library and your access to these kinds of techs.
Another announcements about grades: I've been keeping track of your responses and corresponding comments. Once we get through response 6, I'll update your grading documents about where you stand in relation to that portion of the course. As always, let me know if you have any questions or want an update prior to that time!
Another announcements about grades: I've been keeping track of your responses and corresponding comments. Once we get through response 6, I'll update your grading documents about where you stand in relation to that portion of the course. As always, let me know if you have any questions or want an update prior to that time!
Moving into Project 2...
Now that we've talked and thought more about podcasting, we'll start transitioning more fully into project 2. In class on Wednesday 2/24, we'll spend some time brainstorming and looking at websites where you can download free music and sound effects for use in your own podcast. Next week, we'll have an Audacity tutorial (see schedule for download link), but I also recommend you start thinking about which platform you'd like to use (GarageBand is a good Mac option).
It's my goal to have all of project 1 graded and grades recorded by Monday March 7th. I'll send out an email once my comments and your read are ready for you to review.
It's my goal to have all of project 1 graded and grades recorded by Monday March 7th. I'll send out an email once my comments and your read are ready for you to review.
Rough Drafts Due Wed. 2/17
Don't forget to be working on your rough drafts of your visual argument for peer workshopping on Wednesday. In class, we'll do a round-robin style of peer workshopping, meaning we'll be getting out of our chairs and moving around the room to leave feedback on each others' visual arguments. As such, please bring either a hardcopy of your rough draft or access to it via your laptop. If it's on your laptop, it needs to be in a form that you can display on your screen and you need to be okay with others touching your machine. You do not need to have a rough draft of your craft statement, but you're welcome to bring one. We'll make time in class to look at whatever you want feedback on!
New Resources Added!
As we head into work on project 1 (we will go over the project guidelines in class on 2/8), consider starting to work your way through some of the resources I've compiled for images and image editing. As talked about on the first day of class and as touched on in the syllabus, while the course does require you to work with technologies that may be new and unfamiliar to you, we will not spend a lot of time in class going on "how-tos" for these technologies. We will have a brief in-class demo/workshop on Pixlr and a participatory Photoshop demonstration at the library on Wednesday 2/10. But completing the major projects for the course will require a lot of independent learning on your part. As always, I'm happy to meet with you one-on-one if you're struggling with the technological aspects of the course. I urge you to take advantage of the on-campus and internet resources available to you.
An important reminder: you are not required to use any one technology for project 1. Use whichever technology you're comfortable with and/or is best for creating the visual argument you want to make. Remember: part of the course is reflecting on how technology impacts our use of rhetoric. Therefore, the tools you use to create your argument become part of your purposeful choices as a rhetor!
An important reminder: you are not required to use any one technology for project 1. Use whichever technology you're comfortable with and/or is best for creating the visual argument you want to make. Remember: part of the course is reflecting on how technology impacts our use of rhetoric. Therefore, the tools you use to create your argument become part of your purposeful choices as a rhetor!
For Monday 2/1
As usual, check the schedule for readings and responses due for class. In class, we'll start applying what we've started to learn about rhetoric to visual arguments. If you haven't already done so, make sure to sign-up for a conference (link in the schedule) in order to discuss your focal topic with me!
Great job on the responses and comments, you all. You've been leaving each other great feedback to consider as you work on your proposals. The first response was kind of a softball test run. I gave full credit to everyone who completed the response. As we move forward, do try to make sure you're writing at least 250 words per response. If you find yourself at a loss with the prompts, you're welcome to discuss the evolution of your thinking about your focal topic, retroactively talk about a reading or in-class activity/discussion, or reflect on a piece of rhetoric you encountered in your daily life. The possibilities are endless :)
Great job on the responses and comments, you all. You've been leaving each other great feedback to consider as you work on your proposals. The first response was kind of a softball test run. I gave full credit to everyone who completed the response. As we move forward, do try to make sure you're writing at least 250 words per response. If you find yourself at a loss with the prompts, you're welcome to discuss the evolution of your thinking about your focal topic, retroactively talk about a reading or in-class activity/discussion, or reflect on a piece of rhetoric you encountered in your daily life. The possibilities are endless :)
For Wednesday 1/27
Please check the schedule for details about the readings/homework due on Wednesday 1/27. In class, we'll do an activity about the readings that will help us develop definitions of key terms in rhetoric. You'll need access to GoogleDrive for the activity, so make sure to bring your laptop fully charged! You're also welcome to use one of the computers in the classroom. Should you ever have any trouble logging in to a computer with your own username and password, you can login as a guest using the following information:
Username: miamistudent
Password: goredhawks
Username: miamistudent
Password: goredhawks
Welcome!
Hi! My name is Bridget Gelms (you can call me Bridget), and I'll be your instructor for ENG/IMS 224 section B. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone soon. In the meantime, feel free to look around this website-- it will act as our course hub for the semester, along with our shared GoogleDrive. If you haven't gotten an invitation to our course GoogleDrive, please let me know right away. If you have any trouble accessing, or aren't sure how to navigate GoogleDrive, I'm happy to help troubleshoot with you on Monday.
Don't feel obligated to read through all of this information in detail-- we will go over everything in class on Monday. And please note some of this information, like the schedule, are subject to change. I'll alert you promptly if anything does. Please let me know if you have any questions before Monday. Looking forward to meeting you!
Don't feel obligated to read through all of this information in detail-- we will go over everything in class on Monday. And please note some of this information, like the schedule, are subject to change. I'll alert you promptly if anything does. Please let me know if you have any questions before Monday. Looking forward to meeting you!