Final Exam turn-in instructions, Reflection, Extra Credit and how to factor your grade in my class. Posted 5/21

 Final Exam

Below you will find the instructions on how to export your iMovie Final Exam Video Project so that I can watch it.

 I hope you didn't wait till the last minute to do this, it could take some time.

You will need to take your iMovie and convert it into an .MP4 or a .MOV file.

I can also take an .mp4 file if you do this away from school or you can get iMovie to do this on your own.

There are numerous ways to accomplish this. I will walk you through the easiest way I know here:

At the top menu on the right
>Share
>Export movie as a FILE- a pop-up box will appear
>In that pop-up box, change the resolution to 720p (it will probably say 1080p)
>In that same pop-up box, change the quality to Medium (it will probably say High)
>Rename the movie to Lastname_Final
>Make sure the file is directed to your folder on the desktop

Once you have the file on your desktop - open you school Google Drive and move the file there. This, too, could take a few moments. Once you have it your drive, click the share button. Change the sharing to BOWIE HIGH SCHOOL can VIEW. Copy the link.

Go to your Google Site. Make a new subpage called FINAL EXAM. Use the EMBED button to share the link with me. Any links not shared correctly will automatically get a 50 for the final exam grade. I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WATCH IT!!!

When the movie is finished exporting - it could take 5-10 minutes or more. It MUST have a .mov at the end of the final designation, ex. Reeves_Final.mov, if it does not look like that, you will need to do it again.

When it is finished, get to a file view mode that you can see how big the file is. It should be something like 40mb to 200mb. If you have something smaller than 30mb or something larger than 200mb, you have something wrong and it needs to redone properly.

If you used your own camera, phone, or whatever to make this video you MUST turn it in using the same basic instructions. The file format MUST BE a .mov or .mp4. MUST!!! You are responsible for getting that into your school Google Drive and turned in using the instructions listed above.

The criteria is pretty basic and getting something done will get you a passing grade of 50. If you want a higher grade it will need to have the following:

Content - Interview based with at least 2 people in the video - 25 points 

Camerawork - steady, most likely used a tripod, shows a variety of angles - 10 points

Audio/Sound - not muffled, sound is clear, I can hear your subjects talk - 10 points

Images AND/OR B-roll use - You used Images and/or B-roll properly - 5 point
Editing - Video is edited in a pleasing manner - 20 points

Length - 2.5 to 4 minutes in length - 5 points

That will get you to an 75. 

15 points will be my subjective piece. I get to grade on creativity and execution of the tasks.

10 points for the refection which is below.

You can earn up to +20 points for doing the extra credit, which is also posted below.

Reflection Questions

1. What aspects of your Interview-based Movie Project turned out well? Explain your answer.

2. What aspects of your Interview-based Movie Project didn't turn out as well as you hoped? Explain your answer.

3. Explain the parts of the project, as a whole, that were easier to complete?

4. Explain what parts of the project, as a whole, were more difficult to complete?

5. Describe how closely your final project compares to the initial storyboard and script you made.

6. Explain how you incorporated b-roll and photos into your video?

7. What program did you use to edit your video in?

8. How would you rate that program in terms of ease of use, and your ability to produce this final exam?

8. Did you use any other programs or websites to complete your task? Please list them and what you used them to do.

9. If you could do your project again, what would you change or do again?

10. On a scale of 1-10 how much did you enjoy this project? Explain your answer and what you would recommend the teacher do to make the project better for future students

EXTRA CREDIT

There are two separate ways to earn extra credit today. For each, I will do the following:

1. Add up to 10 points to your final exam 

2. Add up to 3 points to your overall semester grade

This means you could earn up to 20 additional points on your final exam OR

Up to 6 points on your overall semester average

I will determine which will help you the most and apply it appropriately.

Here are the two assignments, you can do both, either or none, it is up to you:

1. Teacher letter – write a letter to an important teacher you had this year. You can choose anyone you want that is a member of the Bowie faculty and staff. Make a new Google doc, title it Teacher Letter and share it with me. I will print these letters out, put them in an envelope and give them to the teacher you write to. Please write at least 300 words.

Write a greeting, paragraphs, a closing (Sincerely, or Yours, or Thank you) and your full name.  Tell them what they meant to you. Give specific examples and details!

If you need some help, here are some prompts:

“You might not know it, but…”

 “Even though you ________, I want you to know that _________ “

 “I think the most important lesson I learned from you was…”

“The thing I respect most about you is….”

 “One time, when I was _________, you _______ and I……”  

“I have a hard time with _______, and you helped me _______”

“I know you ______, but for my classmates and me, it ________”

 “I appreciate it when you ____________”

“It means a lot to me that you take the time to ____________”

“When I look back on __________,  I realize that you ___________”

2. Personal letters - Make a new Google Doc, title it Personal Letters, and when you are done share it with me correctly.

Letter 1 – write a letter to yourself that you will read the first week of school next year. Please write at least 300 words. Here are your prompts to reflect/write:

I did a lot of great things last year that should be repeated: (think of at least 4)

Here are some things to remember: (think of at least 4)

Remind yourself of something that didn’t go so well in school this year and tell yourself how to avoid them in the future. Explain how you worked around the problems.

Letter 2 – write a letter to yourself that you will read in 10 years. Please write at least 300 words. Here are the prompts for that letter and you can start with this:

This is me 10 years ago. I’m sure I’ve forgotten all about this email by now, and I’ve probably forgotten a lot about who I was in 2021. I’m sitting in my digital media class final right now and Mr. Reeves is making me write to myself in the future, so hello future me, I hope everything is great in your life right now.

1. Here’s some fun stuff to remember about me in 2021:

In 2031, I have the following goals for my:

2. Education

3. Family

4. Career

5. Other

6. In case I need some words of encouragement, here’s some things about me now that I like a lot, that I hope you still have:

7. There are also some things about me now that I know I’m still working on that I hope you have figure out by now.

8. At (age) when I write this letter I’ve…..

Love, me on May ??, 2021 (name)

Factoring your grade in my class:

Soon you will be taking your semester final in my class. Remember that this is worth 20% of your overall grade. I will share with you your cumulative grades before you take the final so you know exactly what you need to pass the class. 

1 9 weeks = 40%

2 9 weeks = 40%

Final Exam = 20%

You can go here to get the calculator 

Grade calculator

or you can do the following:

Add these 5 grades to get a total. 

1st 9 weeks grade - you have this grade

1st 9 weeks grade - you have this grade

2nd 9 week grade - you have this grade

2nd 9 week grade - you have this grade

Final Exam - UNKNOWN

This total will be something between 1 and 400 points. 

With your final exam, you will have a total of 500 points possible

You need 450 points for a 90

400 for an 80

350 for a 70

Here is an example:

Sarah got an 89 1st 9 weeks TIMES 2

She got a 93 2nd 9 weeks TIMES 2

Those add up to 364.

To get a 90 for the semester, she needs an 86 on the final

To get an 80 for the semester, she needs a 36 on the final

To get a 70 for the semester, she has enough points, but she will have to turn in a completed exam to make sure she passes for the semester.

If you have more questions please ask.

Podcast turn-in instructions. Posted 5/19 - last grade of the year!!

  PODCAST

Your Podcast is due by the end of next class, but remember, you have a movie due soon as well.....I would get this done so you don't have to think about it anymore.

To turn it in you need to create a file I can listen to it on. This means a .WAV, .MP3, or another file type that I can open.

To export the file out of iMovie, click the button in the upper right corner: 

Click EXPORT FILE

In the pop-up box:

Change the FORMAT to Audio:

And then change the File Format to WAV or MP3.

Click NEXT

Rename the File to the name of your Podcast. Please include at least one member of your teams name in the file name. For example:

Talkinboutlife_Reeves

Save it to your desktop

Come get a USB thumb drive from me and put the file you just saved onto it and bring it back to me.

DONE!!

WRKxFMLY finale. Posted 5/14 - no grade

 I wanted to follow up with all of you regarding your WRKxFMLY photos.

If you submitted photos, and you end up winning an award and want to collect your certificates and MONEY. You MUST follow-up this summer. I will not be there to remind you what to do.

If your photos are selected for an award and/or MONEY, you MUST do the paperwork they request from you. That means you will need to provide them a waiver for your own copyright work AND you must provide a model release for EVERY person in any photos you submitted. That means if you have a photo with your mom, your little sister and your brother, you must provide a model release for ALL three people.

How will you know if you won something? They will send you an email. You MUST check the email you used to enter the program. They will provide you the forms. You will need to PRINT THEM OUT, get them signed, and either take a photo or scan that document and upload it to their site. That means you will NEED to remember how to access WRKxFMLY. You might want to send yourself a link to the WRKxFMLY website so you can log in there.

I cannot help you this summer with any of the WRKxFMLY stuff. You have to be able to do this on your own.

You can email Mr. David Winter, who is our cooperating photographer, with any questions you might have over the summer at: davewinteratx@gmail.com

Good luck and I hope a bunch of you have some winning entries and win some money!!

Extra Credit - Car Raid. Posted 5/12, due 5/21 - Extra Credit

Extra Credit - Car Raid

Some of you might like to earn some extra credit with me. If you complete this assignment, I will add points to either your 4th 9 week grade, your final exam grade, or potentially your semester average if you complete the following writing assignment.

It is actually kind of fun and you only need to have one source to do this task.

Basically you will be writing a story about someone, a personality profile if you will, based on what you find in their car and interviewing them IN THEIR car. The main subject of your story doesn't have to be about their car, but the story should develop from what you found in their car. You will also be required to take 3 photos (1 photo of the subject with their car, 1 photo inside of the car, 1 photo of the item or whatever you found in the car that you focused your story on).

I like to call this assignment the Car Raid

Here is the assignment:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1To1FS3Lgef4thQbRQtQt2hhU0ay0GnFD_0E3uvX3BZI/edit?usp=sharing

To complete this assignment, you will need to make a new Google Doc, call it Car Raid and share it properly. Follow the directions on the link above on your new Doc. When you are ready to turn it in (deadline Thursday, May 21) share it on your Google Site on a new subpage called Extra Credit - Car Raid. Make sure it is a CLICKABLE link to make it easier for me. Make sure you share it properly. Each of these steps contributes to how many points you might get. I will apply the points where it will benefit you the most.

Storyboard and script writing. Posted 5/7, due 5/19 - Multiple Grades

First - want to take a poll for the Dispatch?

Click here: Energy Drinks Poll

Second - today is the last day to submit to WRKxFMLY. At least one person has some photos in the shortlist, but has not submitted and at least two people have not turned in anything....last day!!

Interview-based Final Video

One of the final projects of the year is for you to make an interview-based video for your final exam grade. You just have 4 things left to turn in.

1. Final Exam Preview - Minor. Due 5/7

2. Final Exam Storyboard - Minor. Due 5/19

3. Final Exam Script - Minor. Due 5/19

4. Podcast - MAJOR. Due 5/21

5. Final Exam Video with reflection (10 points) - FINAL EXAM GRADE - due by the end of your classes Final Exam Period

There will be TWO extra credit opportunities. One that will apply to the 4th 9 week cycle that I will post this week and one that will be extra credit on the final exam that will be available on the day of the final.

For the Final Exam Video, you will use a DSLR camera (you can check one out with me), your own DSLR or Camcorder OR a cell phone and any editing program that I can provide (iMovie, Adobe Premiere) OR on your phone you want to use (do not buy anything, there are plenty of free programs). I will outline the expectations for that film in a later lesson, but the basic expectations will be:

Format - Feature video

Content - The entire piece has a professional, journalistic tone (no blooper reels, overlaid graphics (e.g. pixelated sunglasses placed on someone’s face), or slowed/sped up footage). No AI voices or graphics are used. Subject of each video lends itself to a good video opportunity (motion, sound, etc.) and a compelling storyline. Each video contains at least two interviews. Reporter voice-over is only used to bridge elements within the story.  

Camerawork - Each video uses a combination of different shots (wide shots, medium shots, and close-up shots) and angles. The footage is steady and not shaky. All shots have a clear visual focus. 

Audio/Sound - Each video avoids using copyrighted music. Music must be credited somewhere in the video or story. The sound/voice quality on each video is clear and not lost in background noise or music. 

Images - You will be allowed to include still images as part of your video product if you wish. You may not include more than 10 photos total.

Editing - Length is appropriate for telling a story (at least two minutes, but no more than four minutes in length). Individual shots/clips are smoothly edited together to move the story forward. Technical quality of lighting doesn't detract from the story. All b-roll in the piece is video shot by the staff (no stock footage or still images). If captions are added, there are no spelling or grammatical errors. 

Editing Software - You will be able to use whatever editing software that works best for you, including using your phone. As long as you follow the expectations above, I don't care what software you use. You do have the following available in the classroom for your use: iMovie or Adobe Premiere 

Equipment - You may check out a DSLR camera from me or you can use your own video equipment or DSLR. You are also able to use your phone for this project BUT REMEMBER that you cannot use them here at school, which means you have to do all the work at home. I will allow you to upload video files to your computer and/or your final project to your Google Drive so you can turn them in.

Final Video - You will be required to share your video with me on your Google Site. You may share a PROPERLY SHARED clickable link to a .mov, MP4, or similar file on your Google Site, or you can upload your video to a YouTube channel and share a link there. If you use YouTube, you are responsible to make sure it is shared properly and that I can watch it. I will call each of you up to my desk near the end of the period to make sure your video works.

You must have a storyboard.

You must have a script.

It must be turned in to me as a .mov, MP4, or in some other format that I can actually watch on my computer screen. A link to YouTube will be absolutely acceptable.

We will talk more later about this, but you should be planning to finish this by May 13 and you should be shooting as soon as possible.

Today you will be learning about storyboards and script writing. You will have every class from today forward to work on this assignment. 

Now, get started on today's assignment - make a new Google Site Subpage and title it Storyboarding and script writing and answer all the questions below.

Storyboarding

What is a storyboard and what do they look like? What are some terms that I should use in my storyboard?

Here are the answers:

https://www.vyond.com/resources/what-is-a-storyboard-and-why-do-you-need-one/#:~:text=It's%20made%20up%20of%20a,when%20you%20make%20a%20video.

Here is another resource:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/storyboarding-your-film.html

When you are ready to tackle your storyboard, check this out. Its an online version where you can make one there instead of on paper:

http://www.storyboardthat.com/

I haven't used it yet, but I bet you can figure it out. I want feedback on how well this site works, so let me know please!!

Now, we need to also keep in mind that storyboarding involves a script, something that you have already created that TELLS the STORY.

How do you do that?

Well, here are some resources you can use as you are trying to TELL the STORY!!!

http://journalism.about.com/od/writing/a/broadcast.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_5323470_write-broadcast-journalism-copy.html

SCRIPT WRITING

I wanted to share with you to the format that professional scripts are written. Below are three links to websites that explain the format, one that has a direct .pdf of a correctly written script and a third with more information.

http://2012.scriptfrenzy.org/howtoformatascreenplay

http://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/scriptsample.pdf

http://www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/

I am not going to hold you directly to these standards, but I think its important when you are writing your script to complete some of these tasks.

Specifically I want you to use:

Slug lines to indicate location and times. They do not have to be exactly as shown.

Action - describe the actions that your characters will take

Source names - self explanatory

Dialogue - again self explanatory

You should start modifying your scripts to reflect this. For those of you serious about screenplay/script writing, you should follow the correct style so you have experience.

EXPECTATIONS

Storyboard 

Must be at least 12- 15 frames long. You can use any digital product you want including Canva. I should see your plan for how you are going to ORDER and SHOOT your final exam video. You can show frames that include INTRO, INTERVIEWS, B-ROLL, LIVE FOOTAGE, OUTRO, etc. Alternatively you can hand draw these. Just take a sheet of paper and fold it into 4 even boxes. Do this for 3 or 4 sheets of paper. Then draw each frame showing me the above information. If you use a digital app/program, you must export it as a .png and share it with me on your Google Site. If you hand draw the storyboard, you must put your name on it and turn it into me by the deadline.

Script

Your script must be at least two pages in length and should include a written plan for your project. You could include elements from the storyboard. In fact, you could combine your text with the storyboard to explain what is going on in each frame. I should know in advance, from your storyboard and script what questions you are going to ask your subjects, a basic plot outline of the story you are telling i.e. the beginning, middle and end of the story, I should know what you might say in any voice overs you might use. I should also have a written explanation of your intro, your outro and any segue's between shots. 

The storyboard and script are due to me by 5/15, but I STRONGLY recommend that you get those done ASAP as it will make your video much easier to complete.

Final Exam Preview. Assigned 5/5, due 5/7 - Minor

Interview-Based Video - Final Exam

Our final project of the year will involve creating an interview-based video. You will have multiple options on what your topic is, what type of camera you use, and which video editing software you want to utilize to create your video.

TYPES OF PRODUCTS

Now, let’s examine what kinds of videos we often produce for the Dispatch. 

They include the following:

5W’s and H podcast with video component

Man-on-the-street

Live streaming even coverage

Public Service Announcement

Feature Story

Interactive features

Here is a link to the descriptions for those products:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15SsDziVNA_phDc2cGEAP2afd4v8k3H11/view?usp=sharing

Make a new Google Site Subpage and call it Final Exam Preview and answer the following question:

1. Which of those listed are you most likely to find on the Dispatch website? Explain your anwser.

2. Which of those listed do you like to watch? Make sure to explain why.

3. Think of another type of video-based product not listed that you think would be fun to create.

For this particular assignment, the one that I think is most logical is the Feature Story, although I think it will be important for you to bring in some of the 5W’s and 1 H components to your product. We certainly want to answer those questions for this product.

Here are some examples of the type of video I would like you to create: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_-UDaRi4C4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w65zSS3ZMY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg8xjWqWGyY

Here are some examples that were created by former students in this class.

  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v269e-1jlBKeY38aomCIFpXfHTb1JA86/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PxgJWFNOvn4JzKNuoZIVXtb0Zv0xZ3iR/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GzEWwoXKsQYP-13P_CMOgNUiH7XETek3/view?usp=sharing

STORY MAP

The first step in the process is to brainstorm a topic. While this slideshow was developed for a full staff pitch session, the information can still be used by you to start thinking about what your topic might be.

Check out this slideshow:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jac6dG7boEZvIktURHJ1CBev_NG-7XHv/view?usp=sharing

Use this mapping idea to come up with THREE ideas that you might want to explore for your video. 

4. List those on your Google Site.

Here are some suggestions:

Tell the story of an event like a sporting event like a baseball game or swim meet, a wedding, a party. You could document a day in the life of someone and follow them around for the day, interviewing them throughout their adventures and documenting where the go and what they do. You could document making, building, creating or some sort of work thing. For example, mowing the lawn, making something for your room, creating a new piece of art. Another popular one is to document someone making something like cooking or building something like bookshelves or something similar. I am open to a lot of ideas and I want you to think hard about what you could create a video about.

Now go to Canva and create your own Mind Map for one of your topics. When you are done, make sure to export your creation as a .PNG and make sure to share it on your Google Site Subpage. This should be one that you want to make to make your planning and prep easier when we get to that next time.

5. Post your Mind Map that you created. You will need to make sure you SHARE IT PROPERLY.

COVERAGE PLAN WORKSHEET

Once you have a plan for your video, I want you to create a Coverage Plan Worksheet. Here is an example of one:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FU_v7jyrqJLncFO6I342TcMw8dr1e5EF/view?usp=sharing

You can see how they planned for what they were planning to shoot and when. This includes additional supports that might have been published with the video. You won’t need to do that, but the biggest thing I do want you to decide is when are you going to do this project, where will it be done, and what do you need to make it happen. Please download/MAKE A COPY of the following document, fill out, put it into your Google Drive and share it as a clickable link on your Google Site:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zWNBAtdxzmYLZXKdbAoyVHd40XHWq_cJc7DYQpq2p2M/edit?usp=sharing

6. Plan your video. Include what segments you might want to include. Document on your plan worksheet where you will have interview portions and where you will have more "action" live video". Make sure you include where those will be shot. You should have about 4-5-6 different segments that you have edited to make the video flow properly, like the example I have shared above. 

Post your Coverage Plan Worksheet on your Google Site. You will need to make sure you SHARE IT PROPERLY.

EXPECTATIONS

Format - Feature video

Content - The entire piece has a professional, journalistic tone (no blooper reels, overlaid graphics (e.g. pixelated sunglasses placed on someone’s face), or slowed/sped up footage). No AI voices or graphics are used. Subject of each video lends itself to a good video opportunity (motion, sound, etc.) and a compelling storyline. Each video contains at least two interviews. Reporter voice-over is only used to bridge elements within the story.  

Camerawork - Each video uses a combination of different shots (wide shots, medium shots, and close-up shots) and angles. The footage is steady and not shaky. All shots have a clear visual focus. 

Audio/Sound - Each video avoids using copyrighted music. Music must be credited somewhere in the video or story. The sound/voice quality on each video is clear and not lost in background noise or music. 

Images - You will be allowed to include still images as part of your video product if you wish. You may not include more than 10 photos total.

Editing - Length is appropriate for telling a story (at least two minutes, but no more than four minutes in length). Individual shots/clips are smoothly edited together to move the story forward. Technical quality of lighting doesn't detract from the story. All b-roll in the piece is video shot by the staff (no stock footage or still images). If captions are added, there are no spelling or grammatical errors. 

Editing Software - You will be able to use whatever editing software that works best for you, including using your phone. As long as you follow the expectations above, I don't care what software you use. You do have the following available in the classroom for your use: iMovie or Adobe Premiere 

Equipment - You may check out a DSLR camera from me or you can use your own video equipment or DSLR. You are also able to use your phone for this project BUT REMEMBER that you cannot use them here at school, which means you have to do all the work at home. I will allow you to upload video files to your computer and/or your final project to your Google Drive so you can turn them in.

Final Video - You will be required to share your video with me on your Google Site. You may share a PROPERLY SHARED clickable link to a .mov, MP4, or similar file on your Google Site, or you can upload your video to a YouTube channel and share a link there. If you use YouTube, you are responsible to make sure it is shared properly and that I can watch it. I will call each of you up to my desk near the end of the period to make sure your video works.

I will provide a few iMovie training videos for those of you who want to use iMovie here in the classroom. 

Podcast planning and prep. Assigned 4/28, due 4/30 - Minor

Today you will meet with your teams to plan your Podcast. You will have this class period to come up with your plan before you go into the office area to create your product. You will have about 30 minutes per team to record your efforts.

I will also expect your team to edit the product using one of the following products:

iMovie - available on your computer now - audio and can be used for video

Adobe Premiere - also available, may need to be downloaded - audio and can be used for video

Audacity - would need to be downloaded - audio only

Do you have one that you like to use? Let me know and I am open to that happening.

We will spend some time next class looking at iMovie so you are prepared to work on that portion of the assignment. You will continue to work with your team during that process so each member of the team can provide input on the final product.

Now, let's come up with a plan of attack to make this podcast happen. 

Here are the steps (the website I used to come up with this plan https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/write-podcast-script-examples):

1. Brainstorm and come up with a theme-based subject. This is pretty open, so pick something you are all interested in. For example, your podcast could be about food, gaming, sports, or any hobby.

In fact this is the exact place to start; your interests and hobbies as a collective. The more passionate about the topic you are, the better it will be.

Come up with a list of ideas and then narrow it down to 2-3 and put it to a vote. If you need a tie-breaker, I will be the tiebreaker for your team.

2. Now decide what your goals are. Do you want to be factual and help your listeners be more informed from hearing about your subject. This would be very journalistically sound. But perhaps you want to be less structured, you could set it up as a Q&A with a single host asking questions that the others answer. Or you could come up with a longer list of questions and ask them at random so all 4 members would be able to respond.

3. Decide if you want to cover your topic broadly, or in a more specific manner. For example, if you wanted to talk about the latest shows on television, you could generally talk about multiple shows available across several platforms and discuss what you liked and didn't like about that group of shows, OR you could narrow your focus to one show and dig deep on the plot, characters, etc of that specific season.

4. Equal time. Since you will have 4 people on your team, you will need to make sure that everyone gets roughly the same time talking. You will be expected to have 3-5 minutes total, so think about what that turns into. Think about this as you work your way through the next step.

5. Script out your podcast. This should really be an outline, but you can be more detailed if it helps your team out. One thing you want to avoid is rambling. This should include the following:

Intro - briefly discuss the topic and introduce the speakers/guests

A sponsor message - this is where you would tell your listeners that this Podcast is a Dispatch Product and a short sentence about the Dispatch.

Consider using a Segue between segments. This can be a sound effect, a phrase or even a musical note.

Summary - near the end, you should recap the topic and give your listeners the key points they should takeaway from your podcast.

Outro - this could be an announcement, a teaser for the next podcast, a closing jingle, resources to share with your listeners to get more information, or even just a set of Good-byes from the hosts.

Some podcasts include a Call to Action for their listeners. For example, if your group decided your topic was climate change, you could come up with a plan to enlist your listeners into some sort of actionable plan. Or you could solicit your listeners for what your next topic could be, or the guests they want to hear next time. You could give contact information here.

6. Think about the best form for your work. Should this be single host with 3 guests, a Q&A, a rountable discussion, a tutorial or how-to or even freestyle (this could be tougher to do, but is totally possible with the right topics and a guide to keep you moving forward)?

Some final suggestions:

Keep it simple. With a group of 4, planning is crucial. Don't be too loose, but don't be to scripted. I strongly suggest you do some practice. I will allow you to work in groups around the room and in the hallway, office and back room so you can spend time together with your topic. You will have ALL of this period to work together. Someone should take/keep GOOD notes.

You will be expected to turn in your notes at the end of this unit for a grade for this portion. That grade will be as a group, and you will each earn the same grade for your planning paperwork. I will be happy to hold on to it for you. I will provide folders and yellow notepads for notes/script planning.

TEAMS

1 - Paul, Rider, Emma, Connor - New Texas Laws

2 - Lillian, Taylor, Baya, Max - The summer I turned pretty

3 - Addison, Angie, Eleanor - tourist spots in Austin

4 - Win, Schone, Evan, Kiran - Teens and the law

5 - Ethan, Archer, Jake, Myka - Sea Shepards

6 - Noelle, Sawyer, Dax, Angel - NFL draft

Next class, we will go over the Podcaster machine in small groups. This will also be your time to go through a couple of Dry Runs. You should have a decent idea of what you are doing by the end of next class. The following class we will start the recording process.