1. Welcome to
Introduction to
Multimedia
Journalism
Mr. Lewis
Period 2
Spring 2014

2. How do we define what
Journalism is?
Simply put, journalism is the transfer of
information from a source (person A)
through the journalist (person B) to the
general public (people C, D, E, etc.) on
matters of public affairs.

3. Person A
(The Source)
Person B
(The Journalist)
Person C, D, E, etc.
(The General Public)

4. But, can’t anyone be a
journalist?
❖
Online bloggers have
challenged what we believe to
be traditional journalism.
❖
However, journalists are
trained in information
gathering, writing, legal issues,
and ethical issues.
❖
Bloggers typically are not.

5. Journalism is a process…
❖
A journalist's job is to:
❖
Gather information from reliable
sources.
❖
Verify said information through
a variety of other sources (hey, is
this really true?).
❖
Write it in a form a majority of
people can understand and find
somewhat entertaining or
relative.
❖
Do all of this in a professional
manner.

6. What will I learn in this class?
❖
This course has been designed to help you
become a more intelligent media
consumer and to provide you with the
skills necessary to progress to productionlevel journalism courses such as
newspaper and yearbook. Journalism is a
hands-on endeavor in which you will put
skills from other courses to practical use.
It helps you combine practical experience
with academic knowledge to enhance
your analytical, expressive and creative
skills.

7. What will I be doing?
❖
Research
❖
Note-taking
❖
Interviewing
❖
Writing
❖
Blogging
❖
Studying current events

8. Research, and yes, notes
❖
You will need to bring a
notebook of your choice and a
writing utensil everyday.
❖
No traditional lectures.
❖
Students will do their own
research based off lesson
objective questions given to
them by Mr. Lewis.

9. Units of Study
A. The role of journalism in a
democratic society
B. Journalism law and ethics
C. News values and journalistic
principles
D. Reporting - Skills of information
gathering.
E. Journalistic style writing.
F. Newspaper and online design and
layout.
G. Yearbook basics.

10. Room 304 Policies and
Procedures
Be prepared. Come to class handbook policy
necessaryon absences and tardies. with all will be
materials. School on time
followed
❖Be respectful and courteous to everyone in the
classroom.
❖Do not disturb materials for production classes that
also use this room.
❖Do not use the computer lab or computers without
permission.
❖Absolutely no food or drink on or near computer
tables.
❖Cell phones are used only for instructional purposes.
Personal use is not allowed.
❖Take responsibility for your actions. The only person
to blame is yourself for what you do.
❖

11. Computer Policies and
Procedures
❖
Please only use the “Student”
login. (Password = journalism)
❖
Do not access any program or
website without prior
permission from Mr. Lewis.
❖
Do not “personalize” the
computer in anyway.
❖
Failure to comply may lead to
the student losing the privilege
of using the computers in the
room.

12. Journalism Production Class
Requirements
❖
Student must complete this course with a B or
higher and complete an application process.
❖
For students enrolled in Introduction to
Multimedia Journalism in the spring semester
acceptance onto a publication staff will be
dependent on their grades at the time of their
application. Any student who is accepted into
a production class but then falls below the
requirements by the end of the semester will
be dropped from the production staff.
❖
If you have any questions over how to become
a member of an HHS publications staff, Mr.
Lewis is always happy to discuss them with
you. Never be afraid to ask questions!

13. Grading
❖
This course utilizes a Standards
Based Grading system.
❖
Unlike the traditional points based
grade books, Standard Based
Grading quite simply involves
measuring students’ proficiency on
course objectives and standards.
❖
Assignments carry no points value.
❖
Assignments will have deadlines.
The ability to meet deadlines is a
standard the student will be
assessed on throughout the course.

14. Grading
❖
In SIS, you will see standards instead
of assignments.
❖
Each standard will be given a
number 4, 3, 2, or 1.
❖
4 = You get it.
❖
3 = You’re close, but need a little
more assistance to get there.
❖
2 = You understand half of the
standard, and need assistance to
meet the standard.
❖
1 = You do not understand or meet
the standard.

15. Grading
❖
Your letter grade is a percentage of the standards you are
meeting.
❖
An A means the student has completed proficient work on
all course objectives and advanced work on some
objectives.
❖
A B means the student has completed proficient work on all
course objectives.
❖
A C means the student has completed proficient work on
the most important objectives, although not on all
objectives. The student can continue to the next course.
❖
A D means the student has completed proficient work on at
least one-half of the course objectives but is missing some
important objectives and is at significant risk of failing the
next course in the sequence. The student should repeat the
course if it is a prerequisite for another course.
❖
An F means the student has completed proficient work on
fewer than one-half of the course objectives and cannot
successfully complete the next course in sequence.

16. Classroom Website
Be sure to check the website daily
for assignments and
announcements.
Go to www.harrisonvilleschools.org/l
ewisb and click on Multimedia
Journalism