SPIG's New Journal Debuts This Fall

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Newsletter of AEJMC’s Small Programs Interest Group Fall 2011 SPIG’s new journal debuts this fall By Vivian B. Martin outlined our plan to the AEJMC A N idea that started as a Inside this issue Board of Directors, which gave its blessings to what will be SPIG’s most suggestion over SPIG’s listserv SPIG head notes, page 3 will soon make its debut in the extensive commitment to date. world. SPIG will launch Teaching Journalism and Mass Communication Application scholar, page 9 and tagline: Teaching Journalism (TJMC), an online journal designed Profile: Jack Zilbuk, page 5 andWe Mass have Communication, a journal. Its official a journal title to advance research and discussion published by the Small Programs on pedagogical issues. write, review and copy edit for the Interest Group. It is a peer-reviewed premiere issue scheduled to debut Mitzi Lewis, of Midwestern State journal to be published each fall and this fall. SPIG gave the project its University, and I spent the past spring. To make use of the online setting through greater interactivity, meeting in St. Louis, after Lewis recruiting other SPIG members to officialand I presented approval theduring proposal. its business Lewis See JOURNAL, page 8 year fleshing out a template and

John McClelland photo The Hot Topics panel, from left: Josh deBerge, FEMA; Tim Sellnow, Kentucky; Cynthia Nichols, Oklahoma State; Brian Stelter, The New York Times, and Stacey Woelfel, Missouri-KOMU-TV. Hot topic: Using tweets to report on tornadoes By Michael Longinow sections of the cities nearly without deadline news journalism and crisis It’s not just a phone. It’s media. notice. communication during natural And the little thumb clicks we all Cheryl Bacon’s panel on social disasters. see our students doing in class are media brought the practical and the Panelists were Josh DeBerge, what might have been the ticket to theoretical to the topic of tweets Region 7 external affairs officer survival in Joplin and Tuscaloosa and other types of social media with the Federal Emergency after tornadoes ripped open whole that have become a new reality in See TWEETS page 2 2 SPIG News SPIG News 3

TWEETS, from page 1 Tweets helped Stelter, who was in Chicago to cover Oprah Winfrey when the storms hit Joplin, find sources Management Agency (FEMA); Cynthia Nichols, in the devastated region so he could post a story in a Cuillier and Berkey-Gerard win GIFT honors assistant professor in the School of Journalism and timely manner. But what Stelter found, too, was that Broadcasting at Oklahoma State; Tim Sellnow, associate By Mitzi Lewis also get excited when they people were hungry not just for an 1,100-word story; see their work visualized dean for Graduate Programs at the University of they wanted updates fast. And the more pictures the David Cuillier, associate professor of journalism Kentucky, who has written and researched on crisis publicly in a professional- better. He was posting constantly. And his tweets were a looking format. communications; Brian Stelter, entertainment and digital clipped, up-to-the-minute form of journalism that made Berkey-Gerard, assistant professor of journalism reporter with The New York Times; and Stacey Woelfel, life bearable for desperate people huddled in shelters — at theRowan University University of Arizona, at Glassboro Tucson, in SouthernAZ, and Mark New Meanwhile, Berkey- associate professor at the Missouri School of Journalism people hungry for any sense of what was going on. Jersey, shared top honors for the 2011 Great Ideas For Gerard’s entry, “Building and news director of KOMU-TV in Columbia. Teachers (GIFT) competition. Blocks of Multimedia Stelter tweeted his way to a story about the Joplin Storytelling: How to Meanwhile, in a time of crisis, phone calls on a devastation and relief work that editors in New York Cuillier’s entry, “Fill ’er up! How to teach data landline, and even some cell phone calls can get collection, analysis, and visualization through free and Identify and Fashion a were able to pull together when typical computer Compelling Narrative with tricky or impossible. But tweets are not only easier, connections and phones weren’t working. (Stelter noted easy online mapping of gas prices,” teaches students they are a kind of new approach to news and public how to “gather data relevant to their lives (such as gas Sound and Visuals,” offers that as he sat on the panel in St. Louis, there was a New three simple and easy- relations. Tweets have become part of emergency relief York Times reporter in London using tweets to get a prices), derive story ideas, and post the information mobilization. online as tables, charts and maps.” to-remember narrative story out about the riots and violence happening in that structures for creating Using Google Fusion Tables and Microsoft Excel, BERKEY-GERARD DeBerge said FEMA has earned the trust and respect city.) multimedia stories. They of residents in crisis by using Facebook as a means of It’s all new, yet it’s students create a database of gas prices they gather from their community finding out what people old. Telegraph operators the story, and (c) someone does something because. want to know. He posts and post the data “In a time of crisis, phone were the first to tap-tap are:Students (a) anecdote are given and anmoment explanation of reflection; and examples (b) arc of questions and fields them, paragraph-clipped stories online. Google Fusion letting audiences call or Tables functions help of each approach, then apply the ideas to their own calls on a landline, and from reporters near Civil stories and explain which elements are used. Berkey- tweet him directly. War battlefields in this students analyze, chart, even some cell phone map and share the data Gerard developed this assignment to provide a Yes, there are occasional country. Panelists and structure for moving beyond equipment and technical abuses of the privilege, he audience members pointed without having to write a calls, can get tricky or computer program. issues to recognizing, reporting and conveying a said, but the vast majority out that it wasn’t that long compelling story, which he says are “critical qualities Cuillier says that of the response to a social impossible.” ago that fedora-wearing for a journalist.” media openness by FEMA reporters in courthouse because students are has been positive. phone booths hollered actively involved in As a result, the quality of student work in his class has improved. Furthermore, Sellnow’s stories paragraph by gathering the data, they research shows that during a natural disaster or violent paragraph through a phone to rewrite staff downtown. feel more connected to Mitzi Lewis is an assistant professor in the political crisis, those in a ravaged area turn to what they But what about accuracy? A question from the the community and to Department of Mass Communication at Midwestern know — people who might have a glimpse into what’s audience challenged the KOMU practice of posting CUILLIER the assignment. They State University. Wichita Falls, Texas. really going on. And tweets are that connection: not the audience tweets on the air during crises to bring science, but the sidewalk-level explanation. And they constantly updated facts. Social media can turn a Head notes want proof. Pictures and video, even if they are grainy, region’s residents into de-facto stringers, but what if the are what they snap up. In a crisis, tweets from FEMA tweets are inaccurate — or have an agenda? or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Woelfel admitted that the speed and volume of tweets Many thanks to Mitzi and Vivian social media might pre-empt ABC News. makes copy editing difficult or impossible. But he and Hello SPIG! Saturday in St. Louis: After the tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, social media Stelter pointed out the uncanny ability of the Web to I trust you all enjoyed our 1. The AEJMC Board of Directors helped Nichols’ students connect with those who knew police itself. An erroneous or outrageous tweet will productive week in St. Louis. approved moving forward with how to find a blind woman who hadn’t eaten in days. often be found out — and sometimes corrected, multiple SPIG was well represented by its work on the journal! A big note of Nichols’ students were there with supplies in a quickly times — by tweeters who know the facts. members in a variety of panels, thanks goes to Mitzi Lewis, Vivian gathered team relief effort. And, Woelfel added, there are some stories whose poster sessions and meetings, and Martin and Margo Wilson, who Nichols attended Alabama and the devastation in her magnitude and sensitivity would make the news desk SPIG added several new members have turned an idea into a reality alma mater’s town hit her hard. She and her students stop and check out a tweet’s tip before putting it on the who already have gotten involved in 12 months. They deserve our took video cameras and got the stories of survival and air. in leadership roles within our heartfelt thanks for the initiative hope as social service workers, church groups and Michael Longinow is a professor of journalism and and perseverance they have government agency staff worked together to sort out a Journalism Department chair at Biola University, Here are updates on a couple crisis in that university community. LaMirada, Calif. ofgroup issues (see that the were officer resolved list below). on See , page 6 exemplified for THANKSus during the past SUSAN LEWIS 4 SPIG News SPIG News 5 How blogs and wikis can help you teach online SPIG profile: By Carrie Buchanan using wikis, which can be used in online courses Jack Zibluk is a self-taught photojournalist or regular ones in which students are expected to What is your current primary essentially published whatever doctorate,When Doreen she was Marchionni asked to teach of Pacific Quantitative Lutheran “Wiki is a Hawaiian term for quick,” Lewis said. It’s a job title and employer and what the superintendent wanted then UniversityResearch Methods in Tacoma, to graduate Wash., first students. earned For her the quick,develop easy online way proficiency. to get a web page online. It also allows subjects do you teach? to publish, no matter how the former journalist with a fear of math, this was a for multiple authors, sharing and collaboration. I am a professor of journalism dynamics of the situation worked. daunting challenge. To make it doubly intimidating, There are different types of wikis. Pbwiki, at Arkansas State University, I submitted various parts of it for the course was entirely online. Wikispaces and Wetpaint are for beginners. Some are and president of the Faculty publication, but the best I could do “It ended up being one of the more delightful Senate and the Faculty was a poster presentation. Having teaching experiences I could have ever had,” become a collaborative class project, but you can keep Association. My teaching is in five years of your life on a poster Marchionni said during the Aug. 10 AEJMC panel free.track Because of who contributed wikis can be what. modified This byenhances any user, learning they photojournalism, photography, board is a humbling experience. “Blogs and Wikis and Blackboard: A Look at Options of by “putting more of the responsibility of learning visual communications and several What do you like about your On-line Delivery.” explicitly in students’ hands,” Lewis said. other areas. Academically, I am the job and your workplace? She shared three basic lessons learned along the She recommended having two wikis for each department’s “utility infielder.” I like my colleagues a lot. In a way. course: one to organize all the course materials and Tell me an interesting fact small or medium-sized school, you First, when teaching the other for students to use for their projects. about you. get more of a chance to make a online “you have to Lewis offers a set of I have won state and national difference in the institution than in overcompensate” for the “best practices” plus educator awards for my work a larger school. fact you’re not meeting “Put everything, several sample wikis in in photojournalism, and I have Tell me something about your people face to face. Not everything, on your course her PowerPoint slides, worked with major publications personal life. only do you need to make which are online at http:// such as National Geographic ZIBLUK I struggled with my dissertation. communication clear, she management site from slidesha.re/qRruy8. magazine and Rolling Stone. Yet, in political science (1983) and an I was ABD and an instructor for said, “you have to do it in BLOGS I am entirely self-taught. I have MS in urban studies (1984) with an five years. I needed editing help, a variety of ways.” day one. (It gives students never taken a photo course in my Toni Albertson of Mt. emphasis in public administration and I advertised in an alternative life. So she used email, a sense of control to know San Antonio teaches at the and planning from Southern newspaper to find a freelance social media and the largest community college What was your first job? Connecticut State University. editor. She did so well, I had to telephone. She had what’s coming.)” in California and is always I was co-founder of our marry her. We had a late- looking for the best ways independent junior high 30s start on a family, and students could call or -- Doreen Marchionni to engage students. school newspaper. My “I struggled with my we have one child, Kate, a virtualemail, she’d office be hours. there. When And sixth grader of whom we “Our journalism co-editor’s dad named it they did call and email. dissertation. I needed are very proud. Here is a program has become “The Luke Hill Worker’s “As long as there’s a sense of a communication Press.” I have been editing help, and I link to a story about her: safety net, you’re OK.” connect everyone.” involved in journalism http://www.arkansas- ever since. advertised to find a catholic.org/article. She used Blackboard, which has an audio recording justOne massive,” answer she has said. been “So blogging, I have hadwhich to findAlbertson ways to php?id=2144 tool. She started each week with a voice memo: a called an “incredible experience” that connects Tell me about your freelance editor. She did so quick summary of the week ahead. In her evaluations, everybody within a class. She recommends using education. What other significant “I was surprised at how many students said, ‘I liked WordPress, Blogger or Tumblr, all of which are free, I grew up in a fairly well, I had to marry her.” achievements have you the voice memos,’” she added. public blogging platforms. The professor starts her rural area in Connecticut had? Second tip: “Put everything, everything, on your own blog and requires students to read and comment and went to a fairly I spent a summer course management site from day one. (It gives on that and set up their own blogs as well. wealthy regional high school. I was working for National Geographic What was your dissertation students a sense of control to know what’s coming.)” the [comparatively] poor kid in magazine as their faculty fellow In her online journalism class, students blog topic and what is your current the [comparatively] rich school. It in 2002. I was national vice Third, Marchionni said, ask students how you’re regularly, choosing their own area of expertise and research focus? doing at midterm. Anonymous midterm evaluations writing about that. At least once a month, they must sucked. My family sent me to the president of the National Press I wanted to study the nexus of on key issues give you a chance to return to concepts interview someone. In her introductory journalism local state university, Southern Photographers Association, and the media and policy formation they have trouble with. classes, Albertson requires only three or four entries, Connecticut, where I was class I won the association’s Garland president and editor of the student and ended up doing a triple case “Educator of the Year” Award for WIKIS each of which requires some original reporting. newspaper for two years. It was a study on school boards in smallish my work as ethics columnist for Mitzi Lewis of Midwestern State recommended See ONLINE formative experience. I have a BS towns. I found that the newspapers See PROFILE, page 6 , page 15 6 SPIG News SPIG News 7

PROFILE dean. increasingly hard to defend to News Photographer magazine in What leadership roles have a skeptical public in a time of If we rebuild programs, will diversity grow? 2006. I write, from occasionally page 5 for the you had in the AEJMC and the dropping funds and increasing Chronicle of Higher Education and Small Programs Interest Group? expenses. various other publications. Here’s a If you had to describe story I wrote for the CHE: I was SPIG head about six years ago, and I have had various offices yourself, what words would you http://chronicle.com/ in the Viscom and Newspaper use? article/My-PromotionMy- divisions. I attended the weeklong I prefer not to describe myself, Father/127868/ AEJMC leadership academy for but some of my columns and some Last summer, I organized and potential new administrators at of my leadership activities have led a study-abroad student tour of Louisiana State University in 2008. brought the same comment: People India. What goal do you have for say I have a lot of “intestinal http://asuindia2011.blogspot. SPIG? fortitude,” but they usually use John McClelland photo stronger language. com/ SPIG should be the tail that Diversity panel, from left, moderator Michael Longinow, Biola; Kay Colley, Texas Western; David What are your personal or wags the AEJMC dog. We are the Mindich, St. Michael’s; Lee Becker, Georgia, and Tania Cantrell Rosas-Moreno, Loyola (Maryland). professional goals now? only ones engaged seriously in the journalism profession and the only Since my REAL background is in This SPIG profile was edited by By John McClelland lumped with a large, dysfunctional, public administration, and I have ones truly dedicated to teaching. Richard D. Hendrickson, who has TUDENTS are coming to, department. real-life management experience in While the journalism world is been heard bragging that he once and many are staying in, the SPIG panel Now in Arts & Sciences, Mindich a decade-long journalism career, I changing, too many scholars stick shared grad office space with Jack S programs built by journalism said, the program stands on a make no secret that I’d like to get their heads in the sands of arcane Zibluk at Bowling Green State curriculum changes made. It also and communication educators. trinity of disciplines: media studies, into administration as a chair or and obscure research. That is University. helped to enlist the dean and an But we have lots of challenges. outside consultant, to understand journalism and digital arts. the curriculum process and funding , from page 3 research poster session, which That’s no surprise to anyone who Lee Becker of Georgia is no THANKS and to choose one or two things to seemed to dilute the essence of the has been paying attention. Even so, small-programs guy, but his year. Mitzi had the opportunity to RESEARCH: Gail Henson, Bellarmine those attending the Small Programs tackle each semester. leadership of the annual jobs GIFT competition.) The CoD also andSECRETARY: Michael Smith,Pam Parry, Campbell Belmont present the proposal to the board approved not leaving space for mini- and Community College interest David Mindich of St. Michael’s survey made him a natural to TEACHING: Mitzi Lewis, Midwestern on Saturday, so special thanks to her plens in the program grid, although groups’ teaching panel at AEJMC in said the program was all discuss student demographics. The for that as well. The board had a few four divisions or interest groups can St. Louis got some fresh survey goes back to the competition) and David Weinstock, suggestions that Mitzi and Vivian work together to devise a mini-plen- views. 1934 Journalism Bulletin, StateUT-Tyler (including Teacher of the Year are considering and implementing. like session if they want to. Moderator Michael “Students proceeded predecessor of JMC I expect we will hear more from PF&R: Liz Atwood, Hood, and Quarterly. The 2012 Conference is Longinow set the tone by for an hour to tell me them in the coming weeks. For now, Kenneth Pybus, Abilene Christian saying the session was Within his quick review please join me in congratulating scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 9 to Sunday, Aug. 12 at the Chicago NEWSLETTER: Richard a response to “the often why their degrees were of the massive project and them on a tremendous Hendrickson, JCU, and Sandra tough questions students complex data, some details accomplishment! Marriott Downtown. The schedule is a one-day shift from the normal Combs, A State bring, out of skepticism useless.” jumped out: 2. The Council of Divisions (CoD) WEB SITE: TBA (may be migrated) whether they really -- Kay Colley -- Graduate enrollments approved a measure giving the for session proposals soon. Please believe in what they are are up because master’s Great Ideas For Teachers (GIFT) LISTSERV: Brian Steffen, Simpson pattern.consider You adding will yourbe receiving ideas to calls the studying” as valid career programs tend to be Thanks for being a member of session a special pre-programmed mix SPIG will propose this fall. preparation. sensitive to the labor SPIG. Please invite your colleagues practitioners before curriculum slot on the program grid. The Please note next year’s meeting is Kay Colley of Texas Wesleyan, to join us as we Educate, Cultivate reform. It got stronger, he said, session will continue to be co- the 100th anniversary of AEJMC. recent winner of a teaching award, try retooling. sponsored by SPIG and CCJA . This is and Communicate. with “a really interesting mix” I’ve included the list of new told of the challenges she faced market;-- Nobody when knows people how lose jobs, they a great relief to SPIG programmers arriving at TW four years ago. of “researchers who valued the because GIFT is an important and Susan Lewis professionals and practitioners who many students really are in At a public-relations mixer, she communication programs. Federal visible part of our programming. HEAD: Susan Lewis, Abilene Dr. Susan Lewis is an associate value research.” recalled, “Students proceeded for statistical codes show numbers “at Now it will be preserved as it has Christianofficers for your convenience. professor in the Department an hour to tell me why their degrees Like Ishmael and Queequeg on least twice what we get.” been in the past as a stand-alone of Journalism and Mass VICE HEADS: Kay Colley, Texas were useless.” (They weren’t getting a monkey rope in “Moby Dick,” Communication, Abilene Christian -- Among specializations, “other” Wesleyan and Michael Longinow, interviews, much less jobs.) the two groups saw their fates recall that this year in a workaround Biola (with David Weinstock for University. Her e-mail address is attached. They were all in the same is large and fast-growing. sessionwe were with half 25of afinalists. co-sponsored (You’ll Best Practices Competition) [email protected]. She started a club and found boat in the stormy waters of being See page 12 ways for junior faculty to get DIVERSITY 8 SPIG News SPIG News 9

JOURNAL, from page 1 campaigns—into the classroom 1. Our content will come from JOURNAL, from page 8 in projects they’d like to share. In the case of SPIG members, it to teach what they have practiced. Others may have ideas they’d like allows us to start thinking more we want to keep the conversation implementation of the kind of Set alongside SPIG’s more than concerns within our small-programs to develop. Please get in touch with systematically about what we do going in the months between the material we’re all trying to do. 10 years of co-sponsorship of the themembership ground up—from and other identified scholars me ([email protected]) and Mitzi every day and to have an outlet for release of each new issue. We’re GIFT program, the research push with similar teaching interests. Lewis ([email protected]) to planning to update a symposia shows SPIG has been building brainstorm. We think TJMC can be good for section with a few essays in the 2. We seek practical research on Margocourse, Wilson’s which integrates reflections her on her a niche in which we have been With this journal SPIG has an facultyreflection. and their students. months following the publication of classroom/curriculum issues. first time teaching a multimedia making room for more and creative opportunity to push discussions each issue. 3. We are online, which gives challenges of teaching technology, as ways to research and write about of teaching JMC down creative and us the opportunity to utilize the reflections,well as links some to some literature of the work,on the is Vivian B. Martin is an associate Of course, the bigger questions teaching journalism and mass productive paths. Good pedagogical web to present our material and a wonderful example of this genre. professor/coordinator of the have to do with what is it we’re communication. trying to accomplish and, most to converse about the material. We The Scholarship of Teaching Journalism Program at Central TJMC will give want multimedia presentations to and Learning can take a few forms. Connecticut State University, importantly, how SPIG members can discussionsabout curriculum are difficult reform, to but find not in an idea of some of what we hope become routine elements of our Illinois State University, which has Hartford. get involved. I want to speak to that theenough field’s about journals. fundamental We hear issues a lot to Theaccomplish, first issue but of the vision is journal and we want readers to here. a center around such issues, has about the learning we are trying to evolving. The Call for Papers for comment, raise questions, move Some of us in SPIG have talked called it “systematic learning on foster. The journal gives us space to spring 2012 gives some immediate the conversation forward, and Mitzi Lewis is an assistant a lot about advancing teaching and learning made public” possibly even to initiate professor in the Department of Mass pedagogical scholarship in (http://sotl.illinoisstate.edu/ collaborations. Communication at Midwestern State “Our content will come downloads/pdf/definesotl.pdf). The reflect on what is special about JMC University, Wichita Falls, Texas. way of saying we want What type of content Carnegie Foundation, sponsor of a education and how it fits (or should ourgreater field. attention That’s just given a fancy to from the ground up -- from are you looking for? large SOTL initiative (http://www. fit) in education more broadly. research and other types We have general carnegiefoundation.org/scholarship- of scholarly articles that identified concerns within guidelines, but we don’t teaching-learning), describes it as Our online journal needs your help examine what we do in our small-programs want people to feel locked posing problems around teaching STAFFING CONTENT the classroom and how we into them. We have the and learning and pursuing answers Promotions manager—We 1. The Blowing up Journalism can make it more effective. membership.” chance to re-envision the through accepted approaches then need someone to get the word out 101 symposia has room for a few For those of us with heavy academic journal, while subject to peer review. SOTL can about TCJM starting with the fall more essays. Essays can be as short teaching loads, whose maintaining quality and take many forms, and increasingly it launch. We want someone who’ll universities put much peer-review standards. is accepted as worthy (promotable) have ideas for reaching the JMC Do you have strong feelings about research when done effectively. focus on teaching effectiveness, ways in which SPIG members can The Call for Papers gives an idea community and other possible ascontent 500 words, that should so you be can dropped do one. there is a need for more publications get involved, starting with the of the categories, but the area that In some instances, SOTL may be audiences. If you think you can from Journalism 101? Do you and venues for us to do research and Symposia section, which is seeking may stump prospective authors the the assessment projects faculty do commit to this through the fall 2012 write on how and what we teach. most are terms like “Scholarship to understand what is going on in issue, please contact Mitzi Lewis a principles course rather than of Application” and “Scholarship of writing course? Do you prefer to The Scholarship of Teaching But I also want to take on a few ([email protected]) and Vivian think the first course should be Teaching and Learning.” teach it as a course for non-majors and Learning (SOTL) has been ofarticles the common reflecting questions on assessment. SPIG Martin ([email protected]). their classes; in others it might be rather than School bootcamp? Are moving in from the margins of members and others have about the SPIG has adopted some aspects Copy editors— Margo Wilson is aSome reflection of the on research previously we see collected at you introducing something this academia, a change spurred in new publication. of the scholarship of learning for its our ME/Copy Chief, but she wants part by the increased emphasis in biennial contest. findingsSPIG’s Scholar-2-Scholar or research on an exhibitions issue. company. The more copy editors fall that you might write about Doesn’t Journalism and Mass during the annual conference might assessment. In SPIG, research co- SPIG members submit creative we have, the lighter the load for and update later? (Remember: the Communication Educator already fall in this category, other work chairs, particularly John Jenks when work they have published and everyone. Contact Vivian Martin symposia will add some essays in cover this area? might not. Often SOTL allows faculty he took on that role after serving as explain how they brought it into the ([email protected]). the immediate months following JMCE certainly publishes material publication.) Please contact Vivian Head, have raised the number and classroom. Members have shared Reviewers —We want to assign quality of research papers focused on teaching. It also publishes students’ learning. Martin ([email protected]). material, such as a recent piece on reviewers based on expertise. We on issues ranging from teaching article, as well as the adventures of to Ireflect am a littleon their reluctant own teaching to state and 2. Reviews: We’re looking for the gender of publication authors, don’t want to bog down reviewers writing to reading enhancement for thea motorcycle anatomy oftrek a New that Yorkthe professor Times what SOTL is and isn’t, because which, while interesting, isn’t with more than one piece per issue, SPIG’s Scholar-to-Scholar sessions at blogged about from the road. Our it is involving. It opens the door video games, Web resources and focused on teaching. This is not and we want to turn around reviews the conferences. journal expands the concept by for interesting methodologies, reviewsother materials. of relevant We books, want to films, make a knock on JMCE. A publication in 30 days. We need SPIG members The Scholarship of Application asking writers to talk about a course including action research and to help us meet this standard of full use of the Web, so reviews of contest, meanwhile, allows people or lesson. It need not be based on projects carried out from a feminist an individual online tool or even a that’s why there are usually several academic integrity. Contact Vivian to show how they have integrated standpoint. Some SPIG members are Martin ([email protected]). theme piece comparing tools are can’tmagazines be everything and journals for everyone; in one area. their own professional work— are looking for a discussion on the on campuses where SOTL initiatives welcome. Contact Vivian Martin We differ from JMCE in three key journalism articles, public relations a freelance adventure; rather, we are underway and may be engaged ([email protected]). ways. See JOURNAL page 9 10 SPIG News SPIG News 11 Successful small steps to teaching big sections Facing assessment? Hear these voices of experience By Michael Longinow or large. By Kay Colley for you. Use rubrics or a matrix for Ten students or 100 students Teaching panel Group psychology (and Planning assessment just got easier assessment. Set criteria for success. is all about the same thing — classroom behavior research) if you follow the advice of faculty Conference panel What do you do with those who fall personal connection in the Blogs as a group interaction can suggests that when students below? Articulate in some way, then members from the AEJMC panel Finally, they created an assessment teaching process. And with help with this, she said — all the come into a crowded classroom, measure again.” “Acing Assessment: How to Measure, matrix to put the data in one students, it’s mostly about better when students are required they act differently than in a Document, and Improve Student document. While putting together a perception. to put their picture alongside their smaller one (see Jones and Jones, Achievement of Learning Outcomes.” complete assessment plan can seem comments. “Comprehensive Classroom “That was really important,” A panel of small and large program overwhelming, Utt said the key is to Management: Creative Positive Henson said. “That helps you tidy up.” out ways of making every class And assignments — even participants gave about 20 attendees take the entire plan and break it into Learning Environments,” 2nd ed., Dr. Sandy Utt, associate professor memberSmart teacherssense they’re can figure getting quick, electronic ones — can be their best practices in creating smaller pieces. Allyn & Bacon). Individuals who in the Department of Journalism personal attention in the conveying a professor’s friend when taking assessment programs, starting and “This can be overwhelming if you seem docile and passive may erupt in the College of Communication of new ideas, the evaluation attendance. Boredom will kill a ending with the idea that assessment try to do it all at one time,” Utt said. in interesting ways when part of and Fine Arts at the University of of work, even the grading of large class. And droning through an has a purpose. “Add as you go along.” assignments. If the professor is alphabetical list each class is hard a group that’s hidden away in the Memphis, also advocated the use of “It’s important to remember that Panelists stressed the importance of there for them, they’ll show up — to beat as a boredom creator. corner of a big lecture hall. currently available outcomes. For her the entire purpose of outcomes making assessment part of a program mentally and physically. Group behavior makes department, it was the core values Faculty members are not paid assessment is to improve and part of each class within distracting behaviors Is it possible? And if so, the curriculum,” said the program, creating a how? Dr. Tom Weir, associate to control. “It’s important to Susan Lewis of Abilene “Assignments -- even professor of advertising assessment process. louderSo Lewis and moresaid rules difficult Christian University and public relations at remember that the entire unified“The andfaculty faculty-driven have to quick, electronic ones about texting and (Texas) told panelists and the University of South buy into this,” Weir said. electronic multi-tasking purpose of assessment audience members in St. -- can be the professor’s Carolina’s School of “Assessment of learning have to be made clear Louis that the answer is Journalism and Mass outcomes is a moving friend when taking right up front in a given is to improve the multi-layered. Faculty Communications. target. It’s constantly quarter or semester. Each When several of the panel curriculum.” changing. The critical attendance.” faculty member has to technological innovation, members began creating part in understanding the decide what those will needand must creativity, be vigilant flexibility, to their assessment programs, -- Tom Weir process is beginning with -- Susan Lewis be, but the key is to avoid the group chemistry and they looked to guidelines or understanding learning letting distraction ruin a dynamics of a big class. experts to help. outcomes. They have to lecture, class discussion Students are not merely a “sea and competencies from ACEJMC that come from faculty and be publicized to be entertainers. But they are or group experience. Sometimes Dr. Gail Henson, professor and of faces” as the title of Lewis’ panel helped them. like crazy. Posters in hall, on syllabus, paid to be innovative in how they the distraction is not electronic. It’s chair at Bellarmine University School suggests. They’re individuals. And in classrooms. They have to be visible. take concepts and get them across just student obstinance and a mind of Communication, said the AEJMC each one wants the sense that the Students have to know. Faculty has to to students. That takes familiarity to do something else with others criteria helped guide Bellarmine’s reinventing the wheel,” Utt said. professor knows they’re there. know.” with the subject and class-by-class while class is going on. assessment of student learning “Take“I’m what a firm you’ve believer got, in and not use So, Lewis said, name outcomes. The school also sought the Some of the techniques that material, Lewis said. There are times, she noted, when memorization has to happen. The help of assessment experts from the be cumbersome, if you make it panelists have used in assessing But it also takes sensitivity the old fashioned “you’re out” professor teaching a big class education department and Bellarmine what you already have. Yes, it can learning outcomes are: having to each day’s group dynamic in approach has to happen. When a has to be able to call on students also hosted a one-day retreat focused advisory board members review a student is asked to leave — a kind by name — engaging them at a on assessment. cumbersome. Yes, it can be difficult, if random sample of student writing, individuals calling attention to of social-experience death penalty Utt recommended a multi-step personal level. you make it difficult.” using a pretest and posttest on all athemselves class. If one in day distracting is filled ways,with — particularly if it was clear “That one day retreat was process for creating an assessment courses, implementing an entry exam Students in big classes material sometimes has to take that the student had it coming, singlehandedly the best thing we did,” plan, using some of the assessment for the program, creating a required sometimes enjoy the anonymity. a backseat to take control of the the result is a freer and more she said. criteria already in place. capstone course, embedding learning They’d rather not engage others. moment — while maintaining a cooperative class. In planning assessment, Bellarmine “Look at the ACEJMC core values But Lewis said that when a outcomes test questions into each hand in the learning that needs to Lewis noted that learning with and competencies and take the ones persistent teacher guides them, course and surveying graduates. happen. this generation happens in 10 to 20 statement and established program that work for you,” Utt said. “Write getting students to respond with Grades are not used in assessment minute intervals. To assume they’ll facultylearning clarified goals. Then the unit they mission determined the student outcomes. Take what their name before answering, Control of the teaching moment plans. is crucial to any classroom, small a process of developing the plan. you’re already doing and make it work connections can happen. See BIG SECTIONS, page 12 See ASSESSMENT, page 12 12 SPIG News SPIG News 13

DIVERSITY, from page 7 “Taking care of those new Keene State (N.H.), commented on professors” will be crucial to Annenberg professors highlight research and practice -- The students are 64 percent building and maintaining diversity under-prepared students. of faculties and student bodies, she theBecker difficulties reinforced of retaining this when urban he or By Sandra L. Combs presenter, Joe Saltzman, professor to the group. women grow,” but can become too said. said, “When you lose students, they Three University of Southern of journalism, said movies and Marc Cooper, associate professor womenshort of now,men. and “fields that attract Becker said the study found few tend to be the ones you most need,” California Annenberg School for television shows seem to be the main and Director of Annenberg Digital -- Programs said 81 percent potential Ph.D. hires who were not such as men in public relations and Communication & Journalism sources for ideas about what real News, said the 24-7 online news had made some recent curriculum either foreign or Caucasian. advertising, and ethnic minorities professors showed attendees journalists are like. source was a different approach Colley added, “It’s really a or the disadvantaged overall. why they are award-winning In movies like: “Back in that has pushed them to being one digital-competence work. The Percentages of enrollments of professionals, during the USC Circulation,” Deadline USA,” of the most read online university modification,biggest challenges? mostly Financial. adding to is growing, but we’re not educating African ancesty in recent years fell Research and Practice Presentation “Broadcast News,” “Good Night, publications with about 3 million The full survey results are online pipelineLatinos to issue. the level Yes, the[needed].” population from 14 to 9 and Hispanic from 10.4 Friday morning in St. Louis. Good Luck,” and “Our Gang: Going to page views during the academic to 7. First, was professor of journalism Press,” Saltzman said the journalists at http://www.grady.uga.edu/ Rosas-Moreno said the goal annualsurveys/. Finally, Longinow encouraged Felix Gutierrez, who presented were the central characters with 30 pieces of content per day in the of getting new undergraduate “student edited and checked by Tania Cantrell Rosas-Moreno participants, even those who are not year. He said they usually have 25- students to the doctoral- Latino Newspapers in the United like: “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” adults” publication. of Loyola (Maryland) recounted [yet] SPIG members, to ask Brian professorial level would be a 10- States.” DVDs were distributed “Murphy Brown,” and “Lou Grant” “We are competing against rapid growth in minority media Steffen to add them to the listserv “Voices for Justice: 200 Years of flaws and heroics. Television shows year process. He cited an extensive after Gutierrez’s presentation that helped shape “The Image of the mainstream media,” Cooper said. “We and audiences, especially Asian and by emailing him at brian.steffen@ study, and recommended http:// included stories, pictures do what we do best and link Hispanic-Latino. She asked, “Who is simpson.edu. newamericamedia.org/. and headlines “chronicling to the rest. We do original training our students to use ethnic Audience members, including John McClelland is an associate issues covered by U.S. “Movies and television news reporting, blogging, media? And who is being prepared Vivian Martin of Central professor emeritus of journalism in Latino newspapers since opinion, international and to do that training?” shows seem to be the main Connecticut and Rose Kundanis of the Department of Communication 1808 and the journalists national news.” at Roosevelt University in Chicago. who covered them.” sources for ideas about For example, Cooper said “We may be new to you when President Barack ASSESSMENT, from page 11 BIG SECTIONS, from page 10 but we are not new to what real journalists are Obama visited USC, www. “Grades are not good measures,” Weir said because stick with a lecture, a group exercise, even a writing journalism,” Gutierrez said neontommy.com posted 40 assessment is programmatic and grades are negotiation task for 30, 40 or 60 minutes is to ignore most when giving a brief history like.” pieces of original content between individuals. research out there on student engagement. of the Latino press. about the visit within eight Nevertheless, there are other ways of assessing So smart faculty in big classes learn to change it up. The former full time hours, and on the night of programmatic outcomes. They insert learning activities spontaneously when journalist said it wasn’t easy for him Journalist in Popular Culture.” the Oscars, 36 stories were published Dr. Mary Jean Land, professor and department chair of to get a job at a daily newspaper after “Most people get their ideas about on the site. he graduated from college and was journalists from popular culture,” Meanwhile, Geneva Overholser, the Department of Communication at Georgia College, said Lewis reminded everyone that boredom in a happy there were other newspapers said Saltzman about a study he USC Annenberg School of Journalism the key is to embrace the ability to determine your own classroomthe classroom sometimes mood is begins getting at flat. the podium. Faculty out there. director, said getting out that trio of measures. members need to be excited about what they’re “I had a master’s degree from The last 11 years he has conducted research information beats having a “We have the freedom to determine measurements,” Medill in the 1960s but couldn’t get actuallythe journalists’ started image about study25 years at USC. ago. cocktail reception any day, Land said. “We do it ourselves.” And how to grade all those student papers? a job at a mainstream newspaper,” He calls this research area “a thriving Sandra L. Combs is an assistant teaching or the teaching won’t fly. Audience member, Vivian Martin, associate professor “Strategically,” Lewis said. Gutierrez said. “I went to work for an professor in the Department of at Central Connecticut State University and former SPIG Assessment can be staggered over the semester in alternative newspaper.” Finally, the third presenter Journalism at Arkansas State head, said knowing program learning outcomes helps ways that allow the professor to cope. Meanwhile, the second newintroduced academic 2-year-old field.” Neon Tommy University in Jonesboro. guide her courses, improving program outcomes. No teaching assistants (or few)? Keep papers However, some audience members expressed concern and projects short. Make them electronic and have about the tendency to teach to the test, especially if Recently attendance at many mini-plens, except students post them in an online drop box for quick programmatic outcomes are so clear. GIFT survives the demise “Great Ideas for Teachers” (GIFT), had dwindled, so turnaround. Grade quizzes in class (remember the many divisions and interest groups agreed that they Finally, Weir reminded the audience that purpose of attendance accountability value?) of AEJMC’s ‘mini-plens’ were a waste of a prime session slot. program assessment was to improve the curriculum and And don’t let them see you sweat, Lewis said. When But GIFT remains popular, so the Council of thus the overall performance of students as they embark you’re all good, so are they. A mini-plen is a cousin to a plenary session that the Divisions voted to protect it by making it “pre- on communication careers. whole conference would attend. Four mini-plens used programmed,” which means that GIFT will be on “If it’s not working to improve the curriculum, it’s not to be scheduled all at one time slot on the schedule, so the programming grid prior to the chip auction. It working,” he said. Michael Longinow is a professor of journalism and that a minimum number of sessions were scheduled shouldn’t affect the pre-conference session. Journalism Department Chair at Biola University, Kay Colley is student media director and assistant against them and ideally a large crowd would attend -- Susan Lewis LaMirada, Calif. professor at Texas Wesleyan University. each of the four. 14 SPIG News SPIG News 15 Projects bring the world to the classroom SPIG Business meeting By Carrie Buchanan Technology and Computing), worked Thursday, Aug. 11 @ 6:45 p.m. -- St. Louis, MO A “collaborative classroom” with four students on the project. is one that brings the outside Teaching panel “We wanted to make it a student- world in and, in many cases, driven project,” said Pybus, who was 1. Welcome and Introductions to develop a new SPIG logo, which thanked the judges. sends students out, drawing upon hiring, contracts, payments and on the panel with Lewis. Faculty was – Ginger Carter Miller, SPIG 2010-11 emphasizes the acronym SPIG in 3. Discussion of Journal, Blog, alumni and community resources. deadlines, Van Wyke said. They were there to help. The students brought Head, welcomed 34 members of the the design and contains the tagline, Wiki – Vivian Martin and Mitzi Sometimes those resources are responsible for hiring community differing skills, plus ideas on how organization, who each went around “Educate, Cultivate, Communicate.” Lewis led a discussion on a new photographers, selecting a printer they wanted the app to work that the room and introduced themselves. The logo colors are burgundy and online journal, while Margo Wilson sometimes they are local businesses – including getting bids, visiting were drawn in part from videos put Several new members attended the gold. discussed the SPIG blog and Wiki. otheror professionals. departments in the university; several printers and defending their out by Sports Illustrated and Wired A prototype of the journal, titled selection -- plus working with web 2. Discussion of Membership accept the logo Ginger presented Teaching Journalism and Mass An early Thursday morning panel Magazine in anticipation of the iPad. and app developers, and selling businessRecruitment meeting Needs for the– Ginger first time. Jack Zibluk offered a motion to Communication, is being developed at this year’s AEJMC conference drew “Nobody had an iPad at that advertising to local businesses. Carter Miller said she worked on Bertazzoni seconded the motion, and can be viewed at www.mitzilewis. a roomful of educators interested in point,” Pybus noted, because it membership and branding issues, asand the the official motion SPIG was logo. approved Donna org/journal. It is designed as “a peer- bringing this concept to life. The freshman seminar, taught by had not been released yet. “The Brian Steffen of Simpson College in seeking input from the membership unanimously by voice vote. reviewed open-source online journal Four distinctly different projects university was very, very happy with Indianola, Iowa, was titled “Prologue on recruitment and organizational Ginger Carter Miller also reported were presented, including: us for doing this. The collaboration identity. She utilized her students a successful GIFT competition and See MINUTES, page 16 to a Farce: American Journalism and was probably the best thing.” -- a magazine published by Democracy.” It focused on the book Finally the backpack journalism journalism majors in a capstone with that title by Mark Lloyd. course with help from marketing project in Uganda brought together The point, Steffen said, was to PROJECTS, from page 13 students, alumni and a local three departments at Creighton ONLINE, from page 7 “create a writing, thinking-intensive University, a Jesuit college in Omaha, atmosphere for our students, most things for them in that country. They produced a -- a freshman seminar that pulled informed because they enjoy checking the professor’s presentation, said the course was incorporation; upperclassmen and faculty from She listed many benefits. Blogging keeps students school to college daunting and the Neb.designed Carol by Zuegner, a theology who professor, made the “Our students were changed when they came various departments and sent 22-minute film. you don’t have time to discuss in class. And the blog ofexpectations whom find of the their jump performance from high a design and new media professor students out to do service in the demanding.” Two senior students blogmakes and it easycommenting to link to on current it. You stories can use as it examples to cover issues of the and a journalism professor intent on ideas you’re talking about. were teaching assistants and the “telling stories that aren’t being told, back;One very student much commented, changed when “I never they thought came back,” I would -- a project that designed an class worked closely with the journalists as bearing witness, and beZuegner so uncomfortable said. with being comfortable.” Commenting on a blog “opens a door to students who community; aren’t comfortable speaking up in class,” Albertson said. iPad app for student publications, university’s writing center and the Jesuit concept of men and and Carrie Buchanan is Assistant Professor in the Tim The shyest students will participate. This promotes great drawing together faculty and service learning program. women for and with others, being Russert Department of Communication and Theatre discussions. students from journalism, art and “Being part of the community present with the poor.” Arts at John Carroll University. design, and information technology is part of the objectives,” Steffen DISCUSSIONS said about the course that required during the summer and earned spig news is edited by Dr. Richard John Kerezy, from Cuyahoga Community College in collaboration across disciplines studentsThe course credits ran in for journalism five weeks and Hendrickson, a Los Angeles-based associate and computing; and course that included a trip to Uganda among faculty, staff and students. theology, as well as a special writing professor for Cleveland’s John Carroll Uni- Blackboard and other tools to keep things humming to --document, a five-week in blogs,backpack stories journalism and versity, and Ms. Sandra L. Combs, an assis- Ohio,because has Blackboard been teaching helps online students since to 2005. stay organizedHe uses through college by yourself.’” three faculty and a translator tant professor at Arkansas State University, and on track. For example, Blackboard’s sign-in page lets The magazine project, presented “TheMeanwhile, message: the ‘You iPad can’t app make was it credit.went to The the first Dominican year, nine Republic. students, them know what assignments are due each week. byfilm, Jill the Van lives Wyke of peopleof Drake there. University designed by a team of eight faculty The students blogged about their at 323-806-1427, or send e-mail to news- “I love discussion boards,” he added. In online courses, in Des Moines, Iowa, was a and students at Abilene Christian experiences during the trip, wrote [email protected] You. Dr.may Combs’ call Dr. e-mail Hendrickson address is this provides a place for the class to get together virtually. collaboration between magazine University in Abilene, Texas, stories and produced a 12-minute [email protected]. Kerezy also said he posts lectures as podcasts. Videos and marketing students with alumni during the two weeks between documentary that was entered in a Special thanks go out to John McClelland, and images are also simple to integrate into Blackboard. and other professionals working in the announcement of the iPad’s associate professor emeritus of journalism in photography, graphic design and imminent release and its actual Finally, Kerezy said, “The easiest thing to do is sign up This past summer, they went to the Department of Communication at Roos- for an online class,” he said. “The hardest is to actually publishing. Locally-based Meredith release. Two journalism professors, Ugandafilm festival. with 13 students plus a evelt University in Chicago, for contributing Corpation provided funding to print Ken Pybus and Susan Lewis, plus student director, three faculty and photography for this edition, and to all the Carrie Buchanan is an assistant professor in the Tim the publication. one professor each from Art and SPIG members whose bylines are on the sto- Russertstick to Departmentit and finish.” of Communication and Theatre Arts at The students learned about Design and the iSchool (Information ries. See PROJECTS, page 14 John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio. a Uganda “fixer” who arranged 16

SPIG News MINUTES seconded the motion. It passed MINORITIES: Lona Cobb, Winston- focused on teaching journalism unanimously on voice vote. Salem State and mass communication, from page 15 in small departments and dedicated to the 4. Other new business: b. SPIG goals for 2011-12 -- Susan open exchange of information,” a. ELECTION OF 2011-2012 Lewis, newly elected SPIG Head, according to a proposal distributed Officers Brian Steffen moved the at the meeting. They proposed Fall election of Susan Lewis, Abilene upcoming year: 2011 as the launch date for the SPIG Christian University, as the incoming outlined(1) Continue her five the primary trend ofgoals for the journal, with two co-editors working Head. Vivian Martin seconded, and the partnering with divisions for panels with editorial and technological membership unanimously approved that are relevant to our mission. (This tasks, respectively, and the SPIG Head her election with a voice vote. year the organization partnered with serving as an Editor at Large. Other Cheryl Bacon moved and Ginger MED, MAC, ADV, MAG and CCJA to volunteer editors would include a Carter Miller seconded the additional great effect.) managing editor, copy editor, reviews (2) Continue growth in the research editor, and Webmaster. It also was membership. The voice vote was competition. proposed that Vivian Martin and slateunanimous of officers for theas presented slate. Additionally, to the (3) Engage members and continue Mitzi Lewis serve as editors while an Ginger Carter Miller recommended to add members. Editorial Advisory Board is assembled the incoming Head consider (4)Promote the listserv/journal to appointing a Social Media Chair, and AEJMC. and the SPIG Executive Board can th select Co-Editors. The journal will be the membership concurred. After the published in a “staggered” schedule, meeting, she appointed such a chair. anniversary Hot Topics for next year’s meaning an issue would be published convention(5) Special – WhatAEJMC should 100 we do to in the fall and then articles would be include: celebrate the anniversary? added to it in-between the next issue TheVICE other HEADS: officers Kay for Colley, 2011-2012 Texas in the spring. (The complete journal c. HQ report: Susan Lewis also proposal is included as an attachment (with D. Weinstock for Best Practices offered a report: to the minutes.) Wesleyan;Competition) Michael Longinow, Biola 1. Our status as an Interest Group David Weinstock moved and Margo Wilson seconded the motion that the RESEARCH: Gail Henson, 2. The Council of Divisions is going proposal be adopted as presented. Bellarmine,SECRETARY: and Pam Michael Parry, Smith, Belmont wasto discuss reaffirmed keeping this mini-plens year. on the The motion passed unanimously on Campbell table for next year. voice vote. TEACHING: Mitzi Lewis, 3. Four cities are being proposed Margo Wilson also reported as possible locations for AEJMC’s efforts at piloting a blog in the past competition), and David Weinstock, year. Margo Wilson, Pat Miller, Ann MidwesternUT-Tyler State (including TOY Colbert and Carrie Buchanan have PF&R: Liz Atwood, Hood, and meeting in 2015, including Palm contributed to the blog during the Kenneth Pybus, Abilene Christian Springs resort ($129); Las Vegas Strip past year. Kim Pearson also edited NEWSLETTER: Richard Hendrickson, ($119-139);Valley ($172), San and Diego: San Francisco downtown policy statements for implementing JCU, and Sandra Combs, A State ($195),($194). Mission Bay ($179) or Mission the blog. While the membership WEB SITE: TBA (may be migrated The membership voted with a was appreciative of those efforts, LISTSERV: Brian Steffen, Simpson show of hands, and the vote was tied they indicated that members did MEMBERSHIP: Cindy Simoneau, between San Diego and San Francisco, not believe they could support both Southern Connecticut State and Susan Lewis cast the deciding a journal and a blog in the next few SOCIAL MEDIA: Steve Hill, vote to recommend San Francisco. years. So, they discussed the wisdom University of Wisconsin - Stevens of supporting one initiative well, Point adjournment, and several members rather than struggling to support two GIFT Liaison: Ginger Carter Miller, seconded.5. Cheryl Susan Bacon Lewis offered adjourned a motion for outlets. Georgia College & State the meeting and invited everyone to Susan Lewis moved the blog be HOT TOPICS Liaison: John Jenks, the SPIG Social at Rosalita’s Cantina, dissolved, and Jim Simon amended Dominican the motion to include gratitude COMMISSION ON STATUS OF Missouri. for Margo Wilson’s efforts in WOMEN: Sandra Combs, A State 1235Minutes Washington submitted Avenue, by Pam St. Perry, Louis, spearheading the blog and then COMMISSION ON STATUS OF Belmont University, Aug. 15, 2011.