Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sport Photo
Friday, November 20, 2009
Delayed Summary of Journalism Conference in Wilsonville
Last weekend (Nov. 14) some staff and students from the Commuter (including myself) went to Wilsonville to hear a journalism textbook author speak about how journalists (particularly those who work for newspapers) can be successful today.
The very first thing he talked about was that there are two things a journalist/newspaper needs to focus on: attracting eyeballs and delivering information as efficiently and effectively as possible. Today, that involves using multimedia (videos, podcasts, etc.). Another thing that may be involved is breaking up a story.
Now this took hours to explain, however I'm pretty sure most people got it. And quite a few were probably excited about incorporating it. And here "it" is: stop writing such long winded stories. Write a few paragraphs, and use other things to tell the story (interview boxes, question and answer boxes, fact boxes, how-to boxes, etc.). SCANDALOUS!!!!
Or is it? Today, most people are incredibly busy, so they rarely have time to sit down and skim the newspaper let alone read it. So how can we (as journalists of any kind) make people want to find time to look at the stuff we're pumping out for them? Attract their eyeballs and efficiently and effectively deliver the information (does this sound familiar?).
Take home message(s):
Go ahead and break up that story
Use multimedia
Take time to make your stuff attractive
And remember: journalism is about the readers, not the journalists.
The very first thing he talked about was that there are two things a journalist/newspaper needs to focus on: attracting eyeballs and delivering information as efficiently and effectively as possible. Today, that involves using multimedia (videos, podcasts, etc.). Another thing that may be involved is breaking up a story.
Now this took hours to explain, however I'm pretty sure most people got it. And quite a few were probably excited about incorporating it. And here "it" is: stop writing such long winded stories. Write a few paragraphs, and use other things to tell the story (interview boxes, question and answer boxes, fact boxes, how-to boxes, etc.). SCANDALOUS!!!!
Or is it? Today, most people are incredibly busy, so they rarely have time to sit down and skim the newspaper let alone read it. So how can we (as journalists of any kind) make people want to find time to look at the stuff we're pumping out for them? Attract their eyeballs and efficiently and effectively deliver the information (does this sound familiar?).
Take home message(s):
Go ahead and break up that story
Use multimedia
Take time to make your stuff attractive
And remember: journalism is about the readers, not the journalists.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Legendary Talent at the Hot Shot
Alx George
The Commuter
The Hot Shot Coffee House offers students real world experience.
Upon the creation of Hot Shots, management and worker positions opened up. With the aid of the Hot Shot Talent Grant and work-study positions, students have been running the Hot Shot Coffee Cart for about five years
The staff of Hot Shots consists of baristas, who are in a work-study program, and the student manager, who is supported by the Hot Shot Talent Grant. The talent grant presents the opportunity for one business student, with some assistance from staff in the student union building, to run the coffee cart. Andrew Bowder is the current manager of the coffee cart and receiver of the grant.
“It’s a challenge I wanted to take,“ said Bowder.
In the job, Bowder gets to learn general management skills, such as creating proposals, ordering and purchasing supplies and looking for ways to improve the flow at the coffee cart. He is also always looking for students in the work-study programs to be potential baristas.
“Every term is different,” Explained Bowder.
What Bowder really wants students and staff to know about the Hot Shot Coffee Cart is that even though coffee service stops at noon, the Hot Shot is still open until about 4 p.m.
“It’s a cool place to meet new friends. This place is a really relaxing place for homework,“ said student Coddie Marshall.
According to Terry Gordier, department secretary for Student Life and Leadership, there used to be a little recreation area where the Hot Shot is currently located. This recreation area had pool tables, games and activities for students to use, all for a small fee that would go back into the school.
Unfortunately, the funds generated by this student recreation area could not play their part in sustaining LBCC’s activities. So, students in the ASG put their heads together and came up with the idea of changing the recreation area into space for a coffee cart. With that, the Hot Shot Coffee House was created.
Over time, to make it look more like a coffee house, furniture was added, along with the television and computers that are there now to make it more like a coffee house.
“It’s a really just laid-back hangout kind of place," says barista Jamie Butler. "And you don’t have to be into coffee to hang out here. We offer lots of other drinks besides coffee."
The Commuter
The Hot Shot Coffee House offers students real world experience.
Upon the creation of Hot Shots, management and worker positions opened up. With the aid of the Hot Shot Talent Grant and work-study positions, students have been running the Hot Shot Coffee Cart for about five years
The staff of Hot Shots consists of baristas, who are in a work-study program, and the student manager, who is supported by the Hot Shot Talent Grant. The talent grant presents the opportunity for one business student, with some assistance from staff in the student union building, to run the coffee cart. Andrew Bowder is the current manager of the coffee cart and receiver of the grant.
“It’s a challenge I wanted to take,“ said Bowder.
In the job, Bowder gets to learn general management skills, such as creating proposals, ordering and purchasing supplies and looking for ways to improve the flow at the coffee cart. He is also always looking for students in the work-study programs to be potential baristas.
“Every term is different,” Explained Bowder.
What Bowder really wants students and staff to know about the Hot Shot Coffee Cart is that even though coffee service stops at noon, the Hot Shot is still open until about 4 p.m.
“It’s a cool place to meet new friends. This place is a really relaxing place for homework,“ said student Coddie Marshall.
According to Terry Gordier, department secretary for Student Life and Leadership, there used to be a little recreation area where the Hot Shot is currently located. This recreation area had pool tables, games and activities for students to use, all for a small fee that would go back into the school.
Unfortunately, the funds generated by this student recreation area could not play their part in sustaining LBCC’s activities. So, students in the ASG put their heads together and came up with the idea of changing the recreation area into space for a coffee cart. With that, the Hot Shot Coffee House was created.
Over time, to make it look more like a coffee house, furniture was added, along with the television and computers that are there now to make it more like a coffee house.
“It’s a really just laid-back hangout kind of place," says barista Jamie Butler. "And you don’t have to be into coffee to hang out here. We offer lots of other drinks besides coffee."
Monday, November 16, 2009
Photo Essay Brain Storm
I want to do something called People Behind the Register. I'd take pictures of people at a register (that would be the theme), but from a variety of places (restaurants, stores, etc). I need to make sure to get a variety of people and places. It'd be kind of hard to tell it in a story format, hence why the register is crucial for unifying the subjects.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Photo Critique
Like many others, I've fallen in love with the romantic idea of going to Italy. With that in mind, I searched Google Images for an interesting photo. I found this one and was taken away by the beautiful layering of the buildings (it looks like they're on terraces). I also love the beige/green colors that are constant the main focus of the photo. The water even gives a nice glow to the photo without glaring. As a photojournalist, I have to say that I'm disappointed about the lack of people in the photo. I know there are a few on the bank, but their faces aren't visible. As a tourist, I'd like to see more available pictures of people enjoying Italy rather than looking at pretty scenic photos.
Second Attempt at a "News Photo"
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Edited Construction Article
Campus Improvements
Alx George
The Commuter
As construction progresses on the Linn-Benton Community College’s new science building, Madrone Hall, students can look forward to an eco-friendly space for their studies.
Fred Haynes, dean of Instructional Facilities Planning and co-dean of Science, Engineering & Technology explains that with the roof and ceiling up and the electricity running, the building’s interior is being painted and textured. Next week is the anticipated date to start putting in two elevators. The overall finish date is tentatively expected to be in December.
“Hopefully it will be ready for student occupancy in January [when winter term begins],” said Haynes.
However, that’s just phase one of this project. The second phase involves the existing Science and Technology building. Haynes explains that the plans are to “gut” the interior (to remove asbestos) and then make it earthquake safe. The projected start date for this phase is February 2010.
According to Haynes, one of the aims of this project is upgrading the science labs, which were originally built in the 1970s. The other aim is to provide more study and work space for students, which includes adding more classrooms.
As for going green, Haynes let us in on some interesting plans. “We’ll add some things like energy efficient windows and a green roof. This will help LBCC lessen its carbon footprint, which are carbon emissions that contribute to global warming." Haynes also explained that going greener would help LBCC financially.
Haynes explained that the project will offer modern facilities and will provide study space and access to improved science labs.
“It also increases LBCC’s ability to reach out to more students in math and science,” Haynes said.
Alx George
The Commuter
As construction progresses on the Linn-Benton Community College’s new science building, Madrone Hall, students can look forward to an eco-friendly space for their studies.
Fred Haynes, dean of Instructional Facilities Planning and co-dean of Science, Engineering & Technology explains that with the roof and ceiling up and the electricity running, the building’s interior is being painted and textured. Next week is the anticipated date to start putting in two elevators. The overall finish date is tentatively expected to be in December.
“Hopefully it will be ready for student occupancy in January [when winter term begins],” said Haynes.
However, that’s just phase one of this project. The second phase involves the existing Science and Technology building. Haynes explains that the plans are to “gut” the interior (to remove asbestos) and then make it earthquake safe. The projected start date for this phase is February 2010.
According to Haynes, one of the aims of this project is upgrading the science labs, which were originally built in the 1970s. The other aim is to provide more study and work space for students, which includes adding more classrooms.
As for going green, Haynes let us in on some interesting plans. “We’ll add some things like energy efficient windows and a green roof. This will help LBCC lessen its carbon footprint, which are carbon emissions that contribute to global warming." Haynes also explained that going greener would help LBCC financially.
Haynes explained that the project will offer modern facilities and will provide study space and access to improved science labs.
“It also increases LBCC’s ability to reach out to more students in math and science,” Haynes said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)