Jour 163: Audio and Video Streaming For the Web (3 units): Media Lab. Instruction in producing ambient and actuality sound, digital and analog, for online publications. Video streaming for the web. Significant study and practice of radio news story developments and production using traditional and new technology. This course is required for all Radio and TV Journalism majors who have first priority for enrollment. Students must have completed and passed J61B: Electronic News Writing, with a grade of "C" or higher. An equivalent course passed at a college or university where radio and TV news writing was exclusively the focus is also acceptable.

Here's the latest...The internet is that thing these days. But what if offers, in terms of news and information, in most cases follows time honored practices and traditions with new technologies.

Don't get so caught up in the layout and design, the computer and animated graphics. You'll be losing sight of what this course is truly all about.

The public's demand for quick access to information in their homes or offices does NOT relieve any quality writer or producer from their ethically vow to make sure what they post is honest and in proper context. Today millions of students from kindergarden through graduate school worldwide rely heavily on the accuracy of online content. Corporation and government research units also expect what is posted on creditable web sites to be, at the very least, the product of serious-minded, conscientious and ethical people. No one ever knows when or how your web page information will be used to make a difference in someone else's life or work. And some in the legal profession would like to see the courts insure that web page content providers be held more legally responsible for their decision making and efforts. The bottom line...whether your finished product is submitted on paper or in computer text formats...whether you broadcast or stream audio or video for mass consumption...the expectations of your performance are always high and unrelenting.

The fun comes after you commit to learning quickly what specifically is expected of you in terms of story research and writing...recording interviews...troubleshooting technical problems...and working to meet your deadline without excuses or delays. Prove you can do this and usually the reward comes in getting creative and innovative assignments which you enjoy probing and presenting with a personal style or flair. Note...in the real world, you must always prove you can be trusted to handle all the expectations of any job before you are rewarded with the freedom of being creative.

In most communications professional fields today, the versatile person, who knows a little bit about a lot and is flexible enough to take on new challenges with confidence of success, is far more marketable than a graduate with a single career focus. New opportunities worldwide present themselves every day. New technologies and new approaches in thinking keep most industries current and competitive. They need you to embrace this by learning quickly and looking to new way options. They don't need individuals who want this all to slow down to their pace and learning curve.

J163 continues what J61b began to teach you about this. Now, however, the process moves faster. You must listen more carefully the first time you are told anything that will help you meet your assignment. The new technology you will study and, in some cases, use will be foreign at first. Take the initiative and open your mind to understanding how it works. Be cautious but not afraid of the responsibility of using recorders and the editing equipment properly. Use it and don't tell yourself you can't. Literally millions of people before you have...and it looked challenging to them at first too!

Finally...in addition to keeping up with current events and news, which is always a media person's responsibility...you must also manage your time and learning experience. Many assignments must be done out of class. Lab time will be available for you to come in and practice on your own. Handouts with detailed instructions will put you on the honor system like never before. If you don't do enough to help yourself learn what you need to learn in class and/or on your own time, you will fail this course. No excuses please. Putting off assignments to the last minute...counting on your "proven" abilities to get things done just before deadline...and relying on the equipment to always work perfectly are huge mistakes that usually results in disaster. You will be reminded of this warning when you get the grade you will deserve.

Audio and Video Streaming for the Web should be a class when you get to read about and meet the people who are literally changing the face of mass communications every day. Take good notes and be sure to keep a list of URLS and people contacts for future reference. If you see a possible internship or job opportunity after this class, be sure to follow-up while it is in front of you. Don't put it off. Take advantage of Professor Rucker's office hours, and don't wait to do it. At semester's end he must prioritize and he usually has many commitments just before and during final exams and graduation. Get in to see him early during the semester. Also take advantage of open lab times when he makes himself available to work with students and the equipment one-on-one. Last minute appeals for help are pointless if you have not made the effort to help yourself earlier in the semester.

 

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