As our fall semester is winding down in my Public Relations Publications class at Georgia Southern University, we had a fun way to wrap up the key learnings.
A few volunteers came to the front of the class and presented their key learnings to us by showing their list and character on the document projector.
You’ll see what the key learnings for my students were as comments to this blog post. By having them create their own mnemonics in class today, I’m hopeful that they’ll remember many of the key points of this class long after it is over.
A few volunteers came to the front of the class and presented their key learnings to us by showing their list and character on the document projector.
One of the characters, Bocephus the Pirate, even had a crush on me. It said so in the speech bubble near his head. Cute!
You’ll see what the key learnings for my students were as comments to this blog post. By having them create their own mnemonics in class today, I’m hopeful that they’ll remember many of the key points of this class long after it is over.
Together, we (the students and I) will create the final exam for the PRCA 3331 class at Georgia Southern. In class on Monday, students will choose which topic areas to write questions about. Each student will write at least five questions total, from at least three different topic areas.
As a project for Georgia Southern University’s PRCA 3339, you have two choices. You can create a brochure using InDesign as we originally discussed in the class. OR, you can add several postings to your blog that relate to the content of our PR Publications class. Please let me know your decision about the assignment by Monday, November 10, at midnight. (Comment on this post to let me know.) If I don’t hear from you, I’ll assume that you’re doing the brochure as originally planned.
The Blog Assignment
Write & publish at least three postings of 200 words or more between now and the due date of November 21 at midnight.
The topics of your postings can range from using InDesign, using typography, choosing the best kind of paper, taking effective photos, storing photos online, pricing the printing of your publication using online sources, or any other topic related to public relations publications.
The postings need to be your original work (don’t copy and paste from another website or blog). If you use info from another site, be sure to cite your source. (No APA Style needed for this citation; you can just hyperlink to the original source.)
In each posting, offer at least two hyperlinks to relevant sites.
Also, comment on at least two of your classmates blogs.
Write a five- to eight-page typed (double-spaced) paper that addresses the following topics. Cite specific examples wherever possible.
What are your three strongest points as a public communicator? (bullet point — no specific detail needed here)
What are three areas for improvement? (bullet point — no specific detail needed here)
Specifically, address the following on how, and how well, did you:
Introduce your speeches?
Clearly define and call out your central idea (thesis) statement for the audience?
Preview your speeches with a quick summary of the main points?
Organize your speeches? (methods, clarity)
Use transitions and signposts?
Establish and maintain eye contact with the audience?
Appear confident immediately before, during, and after speeches?
Use gestures effectively?
Avoid distracting mannerisms?
Use vocal variety?
Utilize PowerPoint and other AV?
Summarize your speeches at the end?
End speeches?
Adapt to the audience before and during the speeches?
Stick to the established time limits?
React as an audience member (listening to others’ speeches)?
Utilize library resources (including Galileo) while researching your speeches?
What did you learn about public speaking from your peers in this class? Make mention of at least three peers (by name) in your response. (Your peers will not see your responses, so you can feel free to use both positive and negative aspects of their speaking styles.)
Finally, include at least one well-developed paragraph on how you will take the skills you gained in this class and apply them to other college classes.
Include your outlines and speaking notes for each of your speeches this term. (Simply copy and paste them at the end of your paper.)
Want to listen to a Learning Journal from one of my students lastspring?
Develop a list of 10 Things We Should Know About _____ (your Fortune 500 company of choice)
The list can include anything that you found to be particularly interesting about your company.
At least one item on your list should revolve around career opportunities in corporate PR with the company.
Feel free to be creative with your title.
Create a PowerPoint presentation.
For the title slide, include the company logo and your name.
Rather than making bullet points of your things we should know, instead use photos to represent the ideas. (Please use some key words as titles on your slides, to help provide some context.)
One of the best places to find photos is in Flickr.
If you use photos that are not your own, include a photo credit at the bottom of the slide (like I did on this slide).
On the final slide, provide your contact information (name, blog URL, and perhaps your LinkedIn profile URL — please don’t show your phone number or e-mail address)
Embed your PowerPoint presentation in your blog (for 10 pts extra credit)
Save your presentation in PowerPoint 2003. (SlideShare does not yet support the newest release of PowerPoint.)
Go to SlideShare; join SlideShare if you haven’t already done so.
Students in my Corporate Public Relations class at Georgia Southern are blogging as part of their learning experience in the class. I am confident that they would welcome your feedback on their blogs.
Instead of physically coming to PRCA 3339 on Friday, October 24th, please take the NewsU online course titled “Language of the Image.” You will need to register with NewsU — free — before you can take the couse. We will discuss some of the key points Below is NewsU’s description of the course:
What will I learn? This module will explore the elements that transform a photograph into an image that tells a story. Through interactive exercises you will learn about quality of light, juxtaposition, point of entry, mood, emotion and a sense of place. At the end of the course, you will be able to communicate better, using visual language, with your newsroom colleagues, whether they are photographers, reporters or editors. And you can share with others who have taken the course how your new visual vocabulary will help you in the newsroom.
How long will it take? This self-directed module takes about one to two hours to complete. You can access the course on your own schedule, starting and stopping at your convenience. And you can come back anytime once you enroll.
About the instructor: John Davidson is a partner in Creative Eye Consulting, specializing in visual therapy for the newsroom. Before leaving in January of 2003, Davidson was Assistant Managing Editor/Photography and Senior Editor/Visuals at The Dallas Morning News. He has worked at five other newspapers as a photographer and photo editor.
Note: This course requires the Flash plug-in to view.
Cost: This course is currently available at no cost to registered users of News University.
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As our fall semester is winding down in my Public Relations Publications class at Georgia Southern University, we had a fun way to wrap up the key learnings.
