This week, we’ll be talking about digital media research in general and the concept of interactivity. We will want to pay attention to how our understanding in these areas has changed over time. Jacqueline will be recoding the key points, and we’ll all discuss on the Google Hangout.

Your blog question is: Discuss the different ways the concept of interactivity is defined. What is your definition of interactivity? Make specific references to the readings. Include links and visuals in the post.

Be sure to engage the readings, include relevant links and any visuals (images or embedded video).

We’ll also discuss your Twitter exercise, sending @replies to three people in your profession.

See you on the Hangout on Thurs! We’ll start at 6:30pm.

Another excellent discussion last night. Thank you for your attention to Aron and for your participation. I hope our topics have given you new insight into things that will be important in your careers.

• We decided to do all 11 presentations on Mon night. That means we will be together from 6-10pm. There are a few things I want to cover. Read over the Lessig items, as well as the items I have on the Outline for next week. I will arrange for some type of snack on Mon, since we will be working so long.
• You will be receiving an email to do the course evaluation online. If you are able, provide comments in addition to the numbers. These are very important to how we structure classes in the future.
• For Mon, you will have 10 minutes to present, and another 5 for questions. Everyone needs to be thinking of a question, because each person must answer 2-3 questions from you, the audience. You can use Powerpoints or other materials. If you want to upload to TRACS in the Dropbox, I can have them ready on the computer when you arrive, so we won’t waste time fiddling with finding files.
• I will cut you off at 10 minutes, so time your presentation. Focus on Abstract/Overview/Intro, methodology, research questions and results. Minimal on literature. This will be a lot like doing a presentation at a research conference. Don’t plan to read aloud your paper or any portion of it.
• I will work on your blog and other grades over the weekend and post to TRACS.
• Let’s say your final paper is due by midnight next Wed. Upload to the Dropbox. Make sure your name is on the document and your last name is in the filename. You probably won’t need that much more time after Mon. If anyone needs to slip to Thurs, let me know.

Excellent discussion last night. We just have one more week of readings, then you have your paper presentations, and we’re done. Here’s what’s going on:

• Keep up the Twitter connections, finding people to follow, asking questions. During class, Melody tweeted Gary Vaynerchuk, and he replied. Twice!
• The questions for next week are on the blogs page. On Monday, we deal with the future of journalism, and on Tuesday, we deal with the future of music. We also have some legal readings on Wed.
• Some have asked how you can get beyond an A (96) on your blog posts, that elusive A+ (100). I reserve those points for people doing something that they are not told to do, initiative, creativity. I can’t tell you what those things are. Exceed expectations. Get beyond doing the minimum required.
• Comment on two of others’ posts.
• Make sure you watch the videos and do all the readings for Mon. Make sure you watch the Remix Manifesto Video and the Who Owns Culture Video for Tues. I have Aron Pilhofer of NY Times scheduled to do a Skype with us during class next week, as long as his schedule holds. Be as familiar as possible with his team at NY Times and have some good questions.
• Any handouts should be in Resources on TRACS.
• I will try to get any necessary feedback to you on the prospectus by tomorrow.
• Brandon has news on Mon, Kathryn and Sidni on Tues. Keep up the comments.

Have a great weekend.

I enjoyed our discussion last night. Good integration of difficult material. I think you will find the readings, although comprehensive, to be a little less dense going forward.

• Twitter – make sure you have a good avatar and profile. Also, add a cover photo. We didn’t discuss, but that is something that gives a little more interest to your page. Please try out all these things and take these assignments seriously and professionally, regardless of how you plan to use it in the future. You’re here to learn.
• You should also have a Twitter app on your phone, if you don’t already. I just use the regular one from Twitter, but there are others.
• Find three new people to follow. They should be actual people that have something to do with your future career. You can find them in various ways: see who others follow/are following, look them up on Google (if you already have someone in mind), use LinkedIn to see if they list their Twitter there.
• Now send questions via @reply to at least two people. Let’s see what kind of responses you get.  For example:

@pilhofer What advice do you have for a journalism student who is interested in learning data visualization?

Students have gotten actual internships and career contacts just from this exercise.

• Instagram – if your phone supports it, use Instagram to take a photo that you feel best depicts grad life. You can connect your Instagram to Twitter. Use the hashtag #issuesnm. If your phone doesn’t support Instagram, just use a regular photo.
• News this week: Courtney and Melody have Monday, Daniel and Flor on Tues. Post to both the Facebook group and on Twitter with hashtag #issuesnm (to also share with your follower). Everyone comment on the FB group. Good discussion on these items so far.
• The questions are on the Blogs page for next week. We’ll cover Browsers and Search for Monday, Social Media on Tues. You might want to read ahead for the Wed items on Business Models to add to your Monday question about Google. You don’t have to do a post specifically on the Wed material, though. But please make sure you read or watch the items. Items under Other Resources are not required (but feel free). And for Pew Reports, just peruse the results.
• Pay careful attention to the elements of a GOOD blog post as we have discussed. The content should reflect the time you have put in reading, so it shouldn’t appear that you wrote it in 5 minutes. Use thoughtful placement of images and links. Engage multiple readings or any other outside readings.
• Be sure to watch the videos from the Download series (Parts I, II and IV). Part III Bubble is not required, but you can watch if you are interested. Also watch the Marissa Mayer video.
• I provided the Crush It handout in class.
• Your Research Paper Prospectus is due next Wed. Refer to the description on the Assignment Page for the details. 2-3 pages. Include your research question(s), methodology and brief lit review. You’ll turn it in via the Dropbox on TRACS.

I think that’s it. See you next week! Have a great weekend.

Cindy