498 AR/ Syllabus Fall 2018

 AR/VR for Journalists

 

COMM 498 Special Topics :: AR/VR :: Willard 317 Fall 2018:

Section 003: Tuesday-Thursday:  10:35 p.m. – 11:50 a.m.

Instructor: Will Yurman, Assistant Teaching Professor of Communications

Office Hours:

Tuesday & Thursday 12:30 – 1:30 at Innovation Park
Wednesday 10 a.m. – noon in Carnegie 218
and by appointment

Office: Carnegie 218
Telephone: (C)  814-470-5895
Email: will.yurman@gmail.com  (best way to reach me)

“Why shouldn’t people be able to teleport wherever they want?”

~ Palmer Luckey

Augmented and Virtual reality offer new tools for journalists. The technology is changing by the day with new platforms and devices. Virtual reality allows us to experience a place. 360 VR video allows journalists to create an immersive experience in a real world situation. Augmented reality brings the virtual world to us. Pokémon Go is an Augmented reality experience. So is the Ikea app which allows you to see how an Ikea bookcase would look in your living room. For journalists, the questions are how to bring those tools and technologies to journalism and storytelling. How do we apply the same ethics and standards to this fast-changing brave new world.

Where does it lead us? How do these tools make sense for journalists?

Goals

  • To understand the current state of AR and VR as it relates to journalism.
  • To learn the fundamentals of creating 360VR Video and simple AR applications.
  • To make compelling stories that are technically competent, communicate an idea and emotionally engage the viewer.
  • To demonstrate proficiency using the software and hardware.
  • To understand the duties of a working journalist in the AR/VR age.
  • To learn to critically evaluate your own work and the work of others.

Objectives Upon successful completion of this class, students will:

  • Produce 360 VR video
  • Develop compelling 360 VR video stories that incorporate a strong narrative
  • Test how spatial audio can aid in the experience of viewing 360 VR video.
  • Generate story ideas that make best use of the new technologies.
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of the current state of AR and VR in journalism
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of AP style.
  • Demonstrate at all times knowledge of journalists’ rights and responsibilities to the reporting and writing of the news.

Attendance:

Students are expected to attend every class. Regular and punctual attendance is important. If you will be missing class for a legitimate reason, you should notify me prior to the start of the class via e-mail. Students with excused absences will be permitted to make up work done during the class they missed.  Excused absences are limited to the observance of holy days, or circumstances beyond your control, including:

  • your illness.
  • a personal emergency such as an accident or severe illness of a family member.
  • the funeral of a family member or a friend.
  • a canceled plane, bus or train, or hazardous driving conditions on your return from an out-of-town trip.

Any test, quiz, or in-class assignment missed as a result of an excused absence must be made up within one week of the class missed. Students are responsible for contacting me about missed assignments. If you miss class because of an unexcused absence you will receive a zero for any in-class assignment.

You must be present to turn in assignments. Missing class critiques will result in a letter grade reduction.

You are responsible for any information you miss because of an absence from class – that includes lecture notes, changes to the schedule, assignments, etc.

Absences and arriving late for class will affect your final grade
10+ absences(for any reason) – You fail the class

Arriving late will count as 1/2 of an absence

Textbooks

There is no required text for this class. There will be assigned readings.

There are many good resources – in print and online that will be mentioned in class, and on the website

Newspapers: For this course you are required to read The New York Times, USA Today, and the Daily Collegian – in print and online.

Supplies

Equipment will be available for sign out through Media Tech and the equipment room at Innovation Park.

We will be using Box.PSU.Edu and WordPress this semester to submit assignments.

Hard Drives

An external hard drive is required for this class and you should have a second means of backing up your files. You will want to back up your work – servers fail, and it’s important to have a backup. You may also want to work on assignments outside of class.

Your work should be backed up AT LEAST twice. IF you have your work on your computer, then you’ll want one backup drive. If you work on school computers you should have two drives (at least).  There are two kinds of hard drives in the world. Those that have crashed and those that will crash.

Buy a Solid State Drives (SSD). They are more expensive than the older spinning technology found in many hard drives but are much more reliable.

For Solid State Drives(SSD) here is one option from Samsung (on sale as of this writing). You can get this drive in different sizes. 500GB should be enough for this class.

You should back up work to Box as well – this will give you two reliable backups of your data.

Grading

Journalism is about documenting the human condition. To be successful in this course you will show people in your stories. Grades will be based on attendance, performance on assignments and tests as well as class participation. Assignments will be evaluated using the following criterion:

  • Journalistic Content – Does the work tell the story? Is it compelling and accurate? Do the audio and visuals work together to engage the reader and make the best use of the medium?
  • Technical Excellence – Is the audio of the highest quality? Are the visuals well-composed, properly exposed, in focus.
  • Aesthetics – are the images visually compelling, is the editing thoughtful and logical. Does the story contain strong moments, emotion, humanity.

I expect lots of failure (though not failing grades) and mistakes early on as we learn a brand new language of storytelling. I encourage you to work hard, have fun, take chances, experiment.

Assignments in this class will take many forms. We will be critically evaluating professional work, reading essays, engaging with speakers. We will be creating a variety of work in both AR and VR. Assignments will be evaluated using a variety of criterion:

  •  Effort =
    • Did you find a strong story and subject appropriate to the assignment
    • Did you spend enough time to properly gather and edit content
    • Were you thoughtful in your critiques where appropriate
    • Did you spend time with the readings or looking at examples
  • Audio = Where audio was part of the assignment
    • Was the audio recorded in a proper environment
    • Were proper audio levels set
    • Do interviews sound rich and clear
    • Was natural sound recorded where appropriate
    • Were you using spatial audio in an effective manner
  • Visual =
    • Were the camera settings properly configured for the assignment
    • Is the image properly exposed
    • Is the color balance correct
    • Was the photo/video properly toned
    • 360 Video: Did you find interesting points of view and angles. Was the video interesting
    • Video: Was the interview framed and shot properly with an appropriate background and proper lighting
    • Is the visual content interesting and storytelling
  • Editing =
    • Does the story flow in a logical and interesting way
    • Is the audio edited smoothly and mixed properly
    • Are there proper lower thirds and title and credit slides
    • Are there any technical mistakes in the edit
  •  Content =
    • Is the story interesting
    • Does the story have journalistic content
    • Does the organization of the story keep our attention and lead us somewhere
    • Does the interview get beyond the basic (boring) facts and explore an idea or emotion
    • Did you conduct multiple interviews where appropriate
    • Does your text advance the story and is it properly written, grammatically correct.

For graded assignments:

  • A –  An exceptional story that truly engages the viewer, has a narrative arc, and is technically superior
  • B –  A good story that has a strong character or point of view, but may have some technical or narrative flaws.
  • C –  A publishable story that has the basic facts correct, but does not engage the viewer and/or suffers from technical flaws.
  • D – A multimedia piece that is unpublishable either because of serious story structure problems or significant technical problems including difficult to understand audio, poor visuals, etc. Text or captions that include incorrect information or incorrect spellings of names receive a grade no higher than a “D.”
  • F –  An unpublishable story that isn’t relevant to the assignment or any work turned in late. Effort shows little ambition on the part of the multimedia journalist.  Stories with ethical issues receive a failing grade. Text or captions that include incorrect information or incorrect spellings of names, or incorrect identifications, will likely receive a failing grade.

Grading Percentage Breakdown:

93.0-100 A
90.0-92.9 A-
87.0-89.9 B+
83.0-86.9 B
80.0-82.9 B-
77.0-79.9 C+
70.0-76.9 C
60.0-69.9 D
Under 60.0 F

Deadlines:

Photojournalists must adapt to changing situations. You must meet deadlines. A missed deadline means you receive a zero for the assignment. All assignments are due on time. Finishing work during class is not fair to other students and is not acceptable. Unless you have an excused absence and the instructor is notified via email in advance, you must be present at the start of class to hand in assignments. If you have an excused absence, or are unable to attend class, it is still your responsibility to turn in assignments on time.

Digital Photojournalism Lab Policies / Hours:

In addition to our classroom, the Photo Lab in Carnegie 006 and the Mac Lab in Carnegie 19(the fastest computers are in this lab) will have all the software we need. You may work there when a class is not in session.

The computer labs will be open when classes are not in session. There may be other times when use of the lab is restricted. Students will have 24-hour swipe card access to the building and lab.  Do not allow anyone else to enter the lab.Do not block the lab door open. According to university policy, no food or drink is permitted in the lab. Students caught with food or drink in the lab may lose lab privileges. The number of printouts made will be monitored electronically. If students are abusing 24-hour lab privileges, lab hours will be restricted.

Website/communication Class information will be available on the website at: https://www.willyurman.com/teaching Updates to the syllabus, assignments, handouts etc. will all be on the website.

  • I will use email for any last minute updates/cancellations/changes
  • Please make sure I have your current and preferred email address.

GRADES

I will email you a critique and grade for assignments. Grades will be posted on Canvas

Assignment Standards

  • Digital files/assignments will be placed on the server. It is extremely important that all files and folders contain your name and the assignment name.
  • Except where noted on an assignment, students should not use their friends and relatives for class assignments. Exceptions should be approved in advance. It is very difficult to make a living documenting your friends.
  • PLEASE, check your work before turning it in. If I can’t open a file, or you’ve sent me the wrong file, I’ll be forced to give you a zero.
  • All assignments must be publishable and fall within societal norms for decency and good taste.
  • Unless you specifically say otherwise, it is assumed that any work submitted for this class may be published on the Commedia, Centre Daily Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Penn State University, or other websites. Student images may also be used in university publications. Select stories will be entered in regional and national photojournalism competitions.

Gear Checkout

Most of the gear will be signed out directly from me to you. There may be equipment you need that is available through the college in the Carnegie Equipment Room. The University’s Media Tech also has a large pool of gear available at the Wagner Annex.

In ALL these cases, you are financially responsible for the equipment. Please take care of it. It is meant to be used, but don’t please treat it with care.

MEDIA TECH is located in the Wagner Building. The entrance is on the backside of the building, look for the blue awning. You’ll need your Penn State ID to sign out gear.

Media Tech is generally open M-W 7:45am – 7:45pm, check with them for specific hours as they change semester to semester

Main Phone:  865-5400

Email:  UL-MTSSEQ@LISTS.PSU.EDU

The Innovation Park equipment room is also open M-F

Internet

Students are not permitted to use the internet during class hours to check Facebook or email. Students using the internet for anything other than class work (during class) will have points deducted from their class participation grade.

Cell Phones

Please do not use your cell phone for personal use during class – not texting, visiting websites, playing games, etc. Students using a cell phone during class hours for anything other than class work will have points deducted from their class participation grade.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly and creative activity in an open, honest and responsible manner, free from fraud and deception, and is an educational objective of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and the University. Cheating – including plagiarism, falsification of research data, using the same assignment for more than one class, turning in someone else’s work, or passively allowing others to copy your work – will result in academic penalties at the discretion of the instructor. In serious cases, it could also result in suspension or dismissal from the University or in the assignment of an “XF” grade (failed for academic dishonesty).

As students studying communications, you should understand and avoid plagiarism (presenting the work of others as your own.) A discussion of plagiarism, with examples, can be found at http://tlt.psu.edu/plagiarism/student-tutorial/. The rules and policies regarding academic integrity should be reviewed by every student, and can be found online at: http://senate.psu.edu/policies-and-rules-for-undergraduate-students/47-00-48-00-and-49-00-grades/#49-20 and in the College of Communications document, “Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures.” Any student with a question about academic integrity or plagiarism is strongly encouraged to discuss it with his or her instructor.

Reporting Bias: Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff.  Acts of intolerance, discrimination, harassment, and/or incivility due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity at the Report Bias website: http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/statement.

Reporting Bias

Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff.  Acts of intolerance, discrimination, harassment, and/or incivility due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity at the Report Bias website: http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/statement.

Students with Disabilities

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. For information, go to the Student Disability Resources website: http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources. 

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Confidential Services

Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings.  These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation.

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

 

Our Community

As journalists, the subjects of our stories should reflect the entire community we serve. Showing diversity in your assignments is essential.