Social Media and Data Visualization
CRN 34214
JOUR 206
Instructor: Jeff Nachtigal
Contact information:
Email: jeffrey_nachtigal@cuesta.edu
Course Calendar
Jan. 21 — May 22, 2020
The weekly topic, assignments and specific due dates will be posted on Tuesdays on the JOUR206 Canvas page. See the weekly “To do list” for the week’s reading, discussion forums, and assignments.
Instructor contact expectations:
The best and fastest way to reach me is by email. I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays. During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours. On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response.
Course Environment
This online course will be using Canvas, Cuesta's Web-based Learning Management System. Canvas provides the framework for the course including the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. You can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.
Class opens / Accessing Canvas
Prior to the Monday start of class on Jan. 21, 2020, you will receive an email from me to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content. You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the canvas log in directly.
If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.
If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after Sept. 23 and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address: support@my.cuesta.edu.
Online Learning
This is an all-online course, but in practice it is the same amount of work and likely requires more participation than in other face-to-face classroom courses. We will not meet in person as a full class. This is not a self-paced course — there are due dates and deadlines three times per week.
We're going to cover a lot of material in this course, and you'll be asked to use software to build infographics and data visualization charts. I expect some of you will be challenged — and the way to stay on track and learn the fundamentals of data collection and visualization, and using social media as a journalist, and stay up to date with assignments and discussions in this course.
I want you to succeed, and I will do everything I can to make this happen, as long as you stay on track completing assignments and communicating with the class.
The class has required assignments and three deadlines per week. An online course is NOT easier than an in-class course. If you are unsure about whether an online course is right for you, please read and watch these videos that will help you decide.
Cuesta College: https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/distance/forwhom.htmlLinks to an external site.
and
The online student readiness tutorials published by The State of California’s Online Education Initiative (OEI): https://apps.3cmediasolutions.org/oei/students.htmlLinks to an external site.
Regular Effective Contact policy
Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.
Course Description
Thanks for considering this course! This three-credit course introduces the fundamentals of reporting, producing and presenting multimedia news/information for an online audience. The course will cover skills including: identifying and developing stories, digital photography, audio slideshow production, video recording and editing, video interviews, online sourcing and reporting issues specific to digital media, and online journalism ethics and media literacy.
This course requires students to use a digital camera to record digital audio, video and images (such as a DSLR, digital camera, or mobile phone). You are welcome to use your mobile phone.
Each week there will be project assignments related to the skills we’re learning, and you are expected to participate in weekly discussion forums.
Student Learning outcomes for Social Media and Data Visualization CRN 34214 (Distance education):
Upon completing the course successfully, students will be able to:
- Describe the role and impact of big data for journalism and communications professions, and the impact of data storytelling for public use
- Demonstrate how to search for, access, and clean and prepare data sets for use in data visualization
- Design and produce effective data visualizations utilizing sound design principles, including size, color and appropriate style for specific types of data for journalism
- Describe the role of social media's effect and relationship with news journalism
- Demonstrate how to effectively use social media platforms to find sources, report, and publish stories
Required Textbooks/Equipment
Text Book, equipment and software
-
the functional art, an introduction to information graphics and visualization, First edition (2016), by Alberto Cairo
-
Mobile and Social Media Journalism, First edition (2016), by Anthony Adornato
-
Access to a computer that can run Tableau data visualization software and access the Internet and social media accounts.
-
A Twitter account (we’ll connect using hashtag: #spring20_34214)
-
An Instagram account (we’ll connect using hastag: #spring20_34214)
-
Data visualization software: I will let you know what software we will use at the beginning of the course.
Technical Support
Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.
If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.
Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site. at:
http://www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutacad/distance/faqs_technical.htmlLinks to an external site.
Accommodations
This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services)Links to an external site. at 805-546-3148 or http://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/dsps/index.htmlLinks to an external site.
College & Course Policies
Academic Honesty Policy: Violating copyright in this course is prohibited, and will be cause for immediate drop. In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct.
Add / Drop Policy
-
I will send add codes and admit students on the third day of the course, if there is space available.
-
Please log in to JOUR 206 in Canvas on the FIRST DAY of the course (Jan. 21, 2020) and complete the first Discussion post with your bio and background by the third day of this course. Failure to complete the first assignment (or contact me with extenuating circumstances) by the end of the first week of the course may result in you being dropped.
Waitlist Policy
Please contact me for an add code if you are interested in adding this course. I will admit students on the third day of the course, if there is space available.
In addition to my course specific procedures, please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/Waitlist.htmlLinks to an external site.
icons at the top right corner of the subsection.