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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