by on November 6, 2015

Submitting Mockups and Storyboards

This is the post for the Friday, November 6, 2015 class meeting.

Career Connections Attendees

Sleepy kitten, with the caption, I don't know about your but I'm ready for the weekend!Check in with me at the beginning of the session, so I’ll know you need to leave early.

Remix Rubric

I’ve added a rubric to the assignment in Canvas. The numbers may shift around slightly, after I test some scenarios. Notice that the project is worth 90 points. The remaining 10 points are earned for the in-class presentation in December.

Working On Your Mockup and/or Storyboard

Use your time during today’s session to finalize your mockup or storyboard. Use the examples and tools included from Wednesday’s class as you work.

If you already finished your mockup or storyboard, please work on other aspects of your project.

By the end of today’s session, you should have submitted your mockup and/or your storyboard in the "Project 4 Mockup/Storyboard" Quiz.

In-Class Writing

We need to complete this in-class writing slightly differently because of the many different ways you may have created your mockup or storyboard. Choose the option below that fits your work. When you click on the option, full instructions will appear. Follow them to submit your work:

  • Website URL only
    1. Go to Assignments in Canvas.
    2. Choose the "Project 4 Mockup or Storyboard" activity, under the Participation, etc. heading.
    3. Click the big Submit Assignment button on the upper right.
    4. Click the Website URL tab, and you will see the form below on the page:
      weburl
    5. Paste the link to your site in the Website URL field.
    6. Click the Submit Assignment button, and your link will be turned in.

  • File upload only

    1. Go to Assignments in Canvas.
    2. Choose the "Project 4 Mockup or Storyboard" activity, under the Participation, etc. heading.
    3. Click the big Submit Assignment button on the upper right.
    4. Click the File Upload tab, and you will see the form below on the page:
      fileupload2
    5. Click the Choose File button, and navigate to your file.
    6. Click the Add Another File link if you need to to upload additional files.
    7. Click the Submit Assignment button, and your work will be uploaded and turned in.

  • Both website URL and file upload

    Canvas does not allow you to use both options at the same time, so you will have to write an extra document. Follow these instructions:

    1. Write a short memo in your word processor that gives me the URL. It can be very short and direct. Just give me the link and tell me what it goes to.
    2. Go to Assignments in Canvas.
    3. Choose the "Project 4 Mockup or Storyboard" activity, under the Participation, etc. heading.
    4. Click the big Submit Assignment button on the upper right. You’ll see this File Upload form:
      fileupload2
    5. Click the Choose File button, and navigate to the short memo you have written.
    6. Click the Add Another File link to upload additional files.
    7. Once you have uploaded all your files, click the Submit Assignment button, and your work will be uploaded and turned in.

Homework

For today, do the following:

For Monday, do the following before class:

  • Review the information on documentation for your projects in Chapter 4 of Writer/Designer. We’ll talk about finding assets, and you will create a documentation plan for your project.

 
Last updated on 6th November, 2015, 2:59 AM
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by on November 4, 2015

Designing with Mockups and Storyboards

This is the post for the Wednesday, November 4, 2015 class meeting.

Mockup and Storyboard Examples

cool storyboard, broThese examples show the mockups and storyboards that students created for projects in the past:

Mockup Tools

Mock-ups are usually used for websites, projects that are “static” (like posters or brochures), and texts that are primarily linguistic or visual in nature. Wireframes (if you’re familiar with the term) fall into this category. Be sure to use the Mock-up guidelines on p. 95 of Writer/Designer to guide your process.

Here are some possible tools:

Storyboard Tools

Storyboarding is usually used for projects that move through a series of pieces, places, or points in time—like a video, comic book, or graphic novel. Be sure to use the storyboard guidelines on p. 97–98 of Writer/Designer to guide your process.

Storyboarding is, essentially, outlining your text visually, so you may be happy with creating a simple outline in Google Docs. For online tools I’ve made, I created storyboards with PowerPoint, because it was simple and I had a copy. If you do go this route, Google Slides would work too.

If you want to try something specifically created for storyboarding or a cartoon or timeline tool (listed in Monday’s post), take at look at these resources for creating and organizing storyboards:

Old-Fashioned Tools

Good, old paper and pencil can work for mock-ups and storyboards. There’s no reason that these planning tools have to be digitally produced. Sketch them out if you want to, but then scan them or take a photo so that you can turn them in.

Backing Up Your Design

Many of the mockup and storyboard tools publish your design on their site. Just in case something goes wrong, I strongly advise you to print your work to a PDF, take a screenshot, or otherwise back up the mockup or storyboard that you create.

In-Class Writing

After you look at some of the tools, go to the "Project 4 Design Quiz" tell me the following:

  • whether you will create a mockup or a storyboard (or both).
  • which tool you will use. If you haven’t decided on a mockup or storyboard tool, you can explain why.
  • any questions that have come up for you as you’ve worked on designing your project.

Homework

For today, do the following:

  • If you didn’t complete your "Project 4 Design Quiz" quiz in Canvas, please use the grace period to finish by 5:30 PM Thursday (11/5).

For Friday, do the following before class:

  • Friday will be an in-class workday, for creating/finishing your storyboards and/or mockups.
  • Bring whatever you need to work on your project in class.
  • Anyone signed up for the English Career Connection will be allowed to leave early, after I check in with you on your project.

 
Last updated on 4th November, 2015, 12:12 AM
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by on November 2, 2015

Making and Pitching Multimodal Texts

This is the post for the Monday, November 2, 2015 class meeting.

Don Draper on Mad Men set, with the caption I got 99 problems but a pitch ain't one.Important Dates

Today is the end of the grace period for Project 3. Be sure you have turned it in by 11:59 PM tonight. All other upcoming dates are all on the Project 4 Schedule page.

Additional Tools

Note the table of software programs in the textbook on page 78. Here are some additional tools you can use as you work on your projects:

If you find anything problematic (e.g., racist, stereotypes) as you work with these tools, let me know and I’ll take that tool off the list.

Deciding What Tools to Use

Test the tools (slideshow with examples) that you are considering for your project to ensure that they do what you need them to.

  • Will the tool support your rhetorical situation?
  • Does the tool give you control of pertinent design choices?
  • Does the tool support the modes you want to use as you retell the story?
  • Are there useful affordances to the tool?
  • Are there problematic constraints?

Before you make your final decision on the tool that you want to use, you need to check some specific constraints that have been a problem in the past:

  • Are there any time limits to how long you can use it?
  • Are there any other restrictions on how much you can use it?
  • How does it export your work? (and yes, I have the student’s permission to share this work):

Key Points from Chapter 5

As you read and use information from Chapter 5 of Writer/Designer, pay particular attention to these details:

  1. Table of Technology Choices on page 78.

  2. The book explains that a multimodal project doesn’t have to be digital; however, what you make for Project 4 does have to be digital.

  3. As you firm up your decision on what tool(s) to use, keep in mind the same questions you used to evaluate an interface in Project 3. There’s also a case study that starts on page 79 and a technology review on page 81.

  4. Pay attention to the tips on organizing and naming your files on pages 88–89.

  5. Consider making a short style guide for your work to ensure consistency, following the suggestions on page 89.

Pitches (In-Class Writing)

Complete the "Project 4 Pitch" quiz in Canvas to tell me about your current plans for Project 4. Please be specific as you answer each of the questions. I will use the information to ensure that you have chosen a project that will fulfill the assignment.

If your plans change in the future, you will need to talk to me to get approval for the new direction you are taking.

Homework

For today, please do the following:

  • If you didn’t complete your "Project 4 Pitch" quiz in Canvas, please use the grace period to finish by 5:30 PM Tuesday (11/3).

For Wednesday, do the following before class:

  • Read Chapter 6 of Writer/Designer. We’ll talk about storyboards and mockups in class.

For Friday, do the following before class:

  • Bring whatever you need to work on your project in class. Friday will be an in-class workday.
  • Anyone signed up for the English Career Connection will be allowed to leave early, after I check in with you on your project.

 
Last updated on 2nd November, 2015, 2:52 AM
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by on October 30, 2015

Project 4 Tools

This is the post for the Friday, October 30, 2015 class meeting.

Black cat with pumpkin bucket and the caption You give me treats or I will tricks youImportant Dates

PSAs

Project 4 Pitch

Monday, you will write and submit your pitch, in a quiz based on the list of questions on p. 56 of Writer/Designer. You may want to bring your book so you can consult it as you are writing.

Your pitch should tell me the following information:

  • What story did you choose
  • How will you remix it
  • What form/genre are you using (e.g., video, infographic, animation)
  • What tools will you use
  • How are you incorporating risk/what you hope to learn

Lynda.com Resources

Look for support for the tools you are using on the lynda.com site, which is free with your vt.edu login. Here are some examples, based on tools you mentioned in your pitches:

Other Tools You Can Use

There are lots of tools that you can use to create assets as you work on your remix. Use the skills you developed in the Interrogate the Interface project to decide which of these tools might be right for you. Remember that your work needs to published in a public space online, so one criteria is that the tool has to provide something you can link to or that you can upload to your WordPress site.

These tools can help if you need to fake social media updates. Just don’t use them to prank people:

These web-based tools can help you publish or build your project:

In-Class Writing

After you look at some of the tools, choose one or two and talk about how it might be useful (or won’t be) for your project in the "Project 4 Tool Assessment" quiz. In particular talk about the modes it supports and the affordances and constraints of the tool.

Homework

For today, please do the following:

  • If you didn’t complete your "Project 4 Tool Assessment" quiz in Canvas, please use the grace period to finish by 5:30 PM Sunday (11/1).

For Monday, do the following before class:

  • Read Chapter 5 of Writer/Designer.
  • Be prepared to write a pitch in a quiz, following the questions on p. 56 of Writer/Designer.
  • Remember that the grace period for Project 3 ends at 11:59 PM.

 
Last updated on 30th October, 2015, 10:41 AM
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by on October 28, 2015

Project 4 Examples

This is the post for the Wednesday, October 28, 2015 class meeting.

Black kitten with bat wings, captioned I am the night. Fear me.Important Dates

  • Mon, Nov 2: Project 3 grace period ends at 11:59 PM
  • During Nov: In-class work on pitches, timelines, storyboards, mockups, and so forth
  • Tue, Nov 17: Peer Review Draft due by 11:59 PM
  • Wed, Nov 18: Peer Review Feedback due by 11:59 PM (no class meeting)
  • Fri, Nov 20: Revision Plan due by 11:59 (no class meeting)
  • Thanksgiving Break: Nov 21 to Nov 29
  • Mon, Nov 30: Project due by 11:59 PM
  • Wed, Dec 2 through Wed, Dec 9: In-class Presentations
  • Wed, Dec 9: Project Grace Period ends at 11:59 PM
  • Final Exam (officially):
    • 10:10 course: Due by 9:45 AM on Wed, Dec 16
    • 11:15 course: Due by 5:25 PM on Mon, Dec 14

PSAs

All the Student Examples Possible!

As you look through the examples, keep this information in mind:

  • Grades for these examples range. FERPA regulations prevent me from telling you specific grades.
  • Taking risks works into the grade, so you cannot see everything that went into the grades.
  • Be respectful as you discuss the work of other students.
  • Please do not leave comments/questions on any of these student sites.
  • The situation matters for how many projects were created, so ask me if you want more info.
Title with Link Format
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Prezi
Anthony Blankenship (ant) and Gregory Porter (grasshopper) Facebook
Around the World in 80 Days Prezi
Beauty and the Beast on Facebook Facebook
Beauty and the Beast Newspapers Prezi
Beauty and the Beast Remix video
Belle Magazine magazine
Boston Tea Party video
Attack of the Deranged Mutant Monster Killer Snow Goons Remix video
Cat in the Hat Goes College Instagram
Cat Identity (Winnie the Pooh) video
Chamber of PostSecrets PostSecret
Daisy Buchanan Pinterest
Don Quixote and the Giants video
Ethereal Ariel blog
Frozen: Blacksburg Edition webpage
Game of Thrones Red Wedding chatroom
Game of Thrones Memes meme photos
Green Eggs And Ham Remix: A Story video
Guess How Much I Love You, Celebrity Edition slideshow
Harry Potter Timeline infographic
Harry Potter Title Sequence (was to be an animation) storyboard
Keeping Up with the Hokies (Princess and the Pea) Twitter
Legend of Sleepy Hollow flipbook
Marching Through Manhattan (Little Women) blog
Midsummer Night’s Dream Twitter
Most Dangerous Game comic
Mount Vernon Christmas Pinterest
Music Man Remix Facebook
Peter Pan Enters the Job Force infographic
Postcards from Captain Nemo slideshow
Pride and Prejudice on Page Six newspaper
Princess and the Pea magazine
Princess and the Pea video
Rapunzel video
Rose-Red and the Bear video
Same Love by Macklemore as told through The Gay Rights Movement video
Scooby-Doo & Mystery, Inc.: What’s The Gang Up To During Retirement? Buzzfeed
Scout’s Instagram Account Instagram
Snow White and the Huntsman Instagram
Spider-Hokie Swings into Blacksburg video
The Borrowers text messages
The Folly of Hades (Hercules Myth) Twitter
The Hunger Games, Time Magazine Edition magazine
The Little Mermaid Facebook / Prezi
The Nutcracker Toy Catalog flipbook
The Once Upon a Times newspaper
The Three Little Scholars Broadcast video
Very Hungry Hokie Instagram / Prezi
A Week in the Woods (Hansel and Gretel) Prezi
What Happened to Little Red Riding Hood? Prezi
Who Is The Fairest of Them All? website

 

Homework

For Friday, do the following before class:

  • Finish reading Chapter 3 of Writer/Designer, from p. 45 to the end.
  • Spend time exploring the pertinent examples from the list above so that you have narrowed down your choice of tools.

For Monday, do the following before class:

  • Read Chapter 5 of Writer/Designer.
  • Be prepared to write a pitch in a quiz, following the questions on p. 56 of Writer/Designer.

 
Last updated on 28th October, 2015, 2:33 AM
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by on October 26, 2015

Submitting Project 3

This is the post for the Monday, October 26, 2015 class meeting.

Sad cat wearing a witch's hat with the caption, Forgot to spell checkImportant Dates

  • Today: Project 3: Interrogate a Story Source due by 11:59 PM
  • Mon, Nov 2: Project 3 grace period ends at 11:59 PM

PSAs

Canvas Documentation

Submitting Your Project

Follow these instructions to upload your work, add the reflection comments, and submit your work.

  1. Go to our course in Canvas.
  2. Choose Assignments from the left sidebar.
  3. Choose "Project 3: Interrogate a Story Source."
  4. Click the big Submit Assignment button on the upper right. You’ll see this submission form:
    URL submission in Canvas
  5. Paste the URL to the front page of your portfolio in the Website URL box.
  6. Type your reflection comments in the Comments… box (indicated by the orange arrow):
    • Tell me what grade you aimed for (e.g., I aimed for a B+ by including headings and …..).
    • Tell me anything else you want me to know before I grade your project.
  7. Click the Submit Assignment button, and your work will be turned in.

Homework

For today, please do the following:

  • Turn in Project 3 by 11:59PM, if possible. Otherwise, take advantage of the grace period.

Later This Week

Wednesday, we’ll go over more Project 4 examples and other remixes.

Friday, we’ll look at some tools you can use to make your remixes.


 
Last updated on 26th October, 2015, 11:24 AM
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by on October 23, 2015

Web Essay Revision

This is the post for the Friday, October 23, 2015 class meeting.

Kitten sleeping on keyboard with the title, This is revision, right?Important Dates

  • Mon, Oct 26: Project 3: Interrogate a Story Source due by 11:59 PM
  • Mon, Nov 2: Project 3 grace period ends at 11:59 PM

PSAs

Revising Your Project

Spend class time today working on Project 3, by completing these activities:

  1. Review the feedback from your peer reader(s) (Canvas Documentation), and note the things you still need to work on.
  2. Begin by working through the Project 3 Web Essay Checklist. Use the checklist to determine what you have done and what you still need to do.
  3. If you need a second opinion, ask the classmate who is sitting beside you.
  4. Work on whatever you still need to do based on peer review, the checklist, and (if relevant) what the person sitting beside you suggests.
  5. Complete the "What I Need" quiz in Canvas to help me be sure I cover whatever you need next week.

Homework

For today, please do the following:

  • If you didn’t complete your "What I Need" quiz in Canvas, please use the grace period to finish by 5:30 PM Sunday (10/25).

For Monday’s session (10/26), do the following before class:

  • Be ready to turn in your project in class (unless you are taking advantage of the grace period).
  • Monday will be the last day we will discuss the web essay in class.

 
Last updated on 23rd October, 2015, 9:14 AM
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by on October 21, 2015

Web Essay Peer Review

This is the post for the Wednesday, October 21, 2015 class meeting.

Typing cat (asleep on the keyboard) needs to finish essayImportant Dates

  • Wed, Oct 21: Project 3 Peer Review in class
  • Mon, Oct 26: Project 3: Interrogate a Story Source due by 11:59 PM
  • Mon, Nov 2: Project 3 grace period ends at 11:59 PM

PSAs

Canvas Documentation (in case you get stuck)

Peer Review Activity

Respond to the two drafts you have been assigned for Peer Feedback, following these instructions:

  • Follow the Canvas Documentation to find the drafts you have been assigned. Note that you must have turned in your draft on time to be assigned peer review partners.
  • Write a response to each of the two drafts (Canvas Documentation) that includes the following information:
    1. Check the title of the web essay, and tell your partner if it is unique and appropriate.
    2. Try out the web essay’s navigation, and let the author know if it is clear and useful (and/or how to improve it).
    3. Check the web essay for the required content, and let the author know if anything is missing. You should find the following information:
      • rhetorical situation
      • design choices
      • modes of communication
      • affordances
      • constraints
    4. Add comments on the content of the web essay. Comment on at least three things your classmate does well and at least three things that your classmate could improve on.
    5. If you notice any spelling errors, punctuation errors, or typos, you can mention them in your comments, but please focus more on the content than editing and proofreading.
  • If you finish giving people feedback, you can begin revising your web essay, based on the feedback you have received.

Homework

For today, please do the following:

  • Revise your site based on the peer feedback you received, using the Canvas Documentation to find your peers’ feedback.
  • If you didn’t complete feedback for the classmates assigned to you, please do so immediately. Your classmates are waiting to hear from you.

For Friday’s session (10/23), do the following before class:

  • Continue work on your project and have whatever you need to work on your project in class.
  • Be prepared to show me your work in class. We’ll do mini-conferences.

For Monday’s session (10/26), do the following before class:

  • Be ready to turn in your project in class (unless you are taking advantage of the grace period).
  • Monday will be the last day we will discuss the web essay in class.

 
Last updated on 19th October, 2015, 11:43 PM
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by on October 19, 2015

Web Essay Navigation

This is the post for the Monday, October 19, 2015 class meeting.

Spongebob characters: That face you make when you realize you had homeworkImportant Dates

  • Tue, Oct 20: Post link to your web essay for peer review by 11:59 PM
  • Wed, Oct 21: Project 3 Peer Review in class
  • Mon, Oct 26: Project 3: Interrogate a Story Source due by 11:59 PM

PSAs

Navigation for Your Web Essays

Your assignment is a multi-page web essay. Your challenge is to make sure that readers can find all the pages of your essay. You need to chunk out your essay into pages that make structural sense and that avoid the tl;dr effect by making sure you have the right amount of text for each page.

We will talk about the examples from last week’s post and the Project 3 Navigation Options. The short version of my advice is as follows:

  • Every page should tell readers what it’s about by using titles, introductory summaries, headings, and so forth.
  • The essay’s navigation should be obvious. Readers should not have to look for it.
  • More than one navigation option helps readers who think differently.
  • Think about the affordances and constraints of the system(s) you choose: what does it allow? what does it prevent?
  • Fit your navigation to your essay. Don’t just copy the examples. Make them fit. Make them yours.

Preparing for Peer Review

Post the link to your Project 3 rough drafts for Peer Feedback by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, October 20. Submit whatever you have, and remember that your link won’t change even if you continue working.

Follow these instructions to post your draft:

  • Go to Discussions in Canvas.
  • Choose the "Peer Review for Project 3" discussion.
  • Post a reply to the Discussion (Canvas Documentation) that includes the following information in the body of the message:
    • Provide the link to your draft, which can be on your WordPress site or a share link to a Google Doc.
      • Make sure you set the share permissions properly. If your readers can’t get to your document, they can’t give you feedback.
    • Ask your readers to look at anything you are trying to improve.
    • Let them know the kind of advice you need.
    • Explain anything that you are still working on (so they won’t waste time commenting on something you know is incomplete).

In-Class Writing

Go to Quizzes in Canvas, and choose the "Web Essay Navigation" to tell me the navigation plans you are considering for your web essay. I will respond to them on Wednesday, in class, while you work on peer review.

Homework

By 11:59 PM on Tuesday (10/20), do the following:

  • Post the link to the first page of your web essay to the Peer Review for Project 3 Discussion in Canvas, following the instructions above.
  • If you do not post a link, you cannot be assigned peer review partners and will receive a zero for the activity.
  • If you didn’t complete your "Web Essay Navigation" quiz in Canvas, please use the grace period to finish by 11:59 PM Tuesday (10/20).

For Wednesday’s session (10/21), do the following before class:

  • If you posted your link on time, you will complete peer review for two classmates (who may be in either the 10:10 or the 11:15 class).
  • If you failed to post your link on time, use the time in class to work on your project.

For Friday’s session (10/23), do the following before class:

  • Continue work on your project and have whatever you need to work on your project in class.
  • Be prepared to show me your work in class.

For Monday’s session (10/26), do the following before class:

  • Be ready to turn in your project in class (unless you are taking advantage of the grace period).
  • Monday will be the last day we will discuss the web essay in class.

 
Last updated on 19th October, 2015, 1:41 AM
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by on October 14, 2015

Web Essay Work Day 2

This is the post for the Wednesday, October 14, 2015 class meeting.

Wow-completely-unnecessary-meme-7781Important Dates

  • October 16: Fall Break (no class meeting, woohoo!)
  • October 21: Project 3 Peer Review
  • October 26: Project 3: Interrogate a Story Source due by 11:59 PM

Choosing Images

The images you include in your web essay should contribute to the analysis you are presenting. If they don’t directly relate to the points you are making, they are "completely unnecessary."

Using what you learned from the Lynda.com video "Stock images are a waste of space" brainstorm about how you can use images in your web essay in the Padlet for your class:

If you can’t think of ideas, consider how images are used in Writer/Designer to illustrate the concepts of the rhetorical situation. design choices, modes of communication, and affordances and constraints.

Integrating Media

As you use media in your analysis, integrate the resources into your essay. The process is similar to the strategy you use when adding quotations to an essay. For a non-literary example, think about how a newscaster talks about a video of an eyewitness account of an event or how a sportscaster talks about a replay of a key play. Here’s one example:

  1. Introduce the media specifically.
    • Tell readers what the media is.
    • Preview why the media is there.
  2. Insert the media, and adjust the alignment so it fits into the surrounding linguistic text.
  3. Explain why the media is there (e.g., how does it contribute to the point you are making).
  4. Be sure that you add documentation for the image if you did not take/make it yourself.

You can refer to these resources from Project 1 as well:

In-Class Writing

You will work on your project in class, but you do not need to complete any quiz or post. If you have any question you don’t have a chance to ask in class, send me an email.

Homework

For Friday (10/16), have a nice day off. Enjoy your break weekend.

For Monday’s session (10/19), do the following before class:

For Wednesday’s session (10/21), do the following before class:

  • Post the link to a draft of your web essay ready for peer review by 11:59 PM on 10/20 (no grace period).
  • If you do not post a link, you cannot be assigned peer review partners.

 
Last updated on 22nd October, 2015, 11:28 PM
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