View source for Writing for Digital Media, Summer 2019

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'''Writing for Digital Media teaches writing skills for a digital age. This project-oriented course will focus on collaborative editing.'''
[[File:Wiki-people.jpg|thumb]]
Digital media differs from that of print in several key ways, and because of these differences, to use digital media successfully, writers must develop specific skills for its mastery. A project-oriented course, NMAC 3108 introduces students to these skills, encourages them to practice an [[Be an Expert|online professionalism]], provides multiple opportunities to develop digital literacies, and teaches them to become fluent practitioners of new media. As this section of WritDM is taught '''fully online''', please be sure you are aware of the [[Considerations for Online Courses|implications]] before attempting it.

==Introduction==
Welcome to NMAC 3108, Writing for Digital Media. The document you’re reading is your syllabus. Everything you need for this class is on this page and linked off of it. Bookmark it now and return here if you get lost or confused.

{{Quote box|For a head start on how to approach all work in this course, see “[[How to Do Well in My Class]]” and “[[Research & Response]].”|align=right|width=25%}}

Please read this document and those it links to carefully at the beginning of the semester. There is much information to process, and it can be somewhat daunting — especially if you read cursorily. If you are confused, do your best to work through it by (re)reading this document carefully and completely, searching this site, or consulting the [[Student FAQ|FAQ]]. I promise, there is an answer to your question. If all else fails, you may [[Contact|contact me]]. Trust yourself to follow directions and find the answers. Be careful and deliberate.

Also, use this syllabus as a model for how you should approach digital writing as a college student and a professional.

'''If you are uncomfortable making decisions, researching your own answers, and working on your own, you may be more comfortable in a traditional, face-to-face section.'''

This course will probably be unlike any college course you have ever taken. It is designed to let you — the students — discover and create your own knowledge using the powerful digital devices and platforms we all have access to. I’m assuming, since you’re taking this class online, that you are comfortable with working by yourself, are confident in your ability to take risks, do not need the constant reassurance of an authority figure, and have a basic Internet literacy. You will learn more about my approach shortly. Please enter with an open mind. If you’re curious to know more right now, you might want to read my [[Teaching Philosophy|teaching philosophy]] and peruse the articles under [[:Category:Hack.Edu|HackEdu]].

Again, read this document through carefully before beginning. You might want to take notes as you go, jotting down questions you have. I bet they are answered by the time you’re ready to begin the first lesson.

==Course Information==
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
!colspan="2"|NMAC 3108: Writing for Digital Media
|-
| style="min-width: 175px; | '''Prerequisite''' || At least a “C” in ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102H
|-
| '''Description''' || This class addresses digital writing in various forms. In developing Web and other projects, students will consider issues such as language, information architecture, communication, collaboration, and community.
|-
| '''Classroom Hours''' || Three per week.
|}

==Instructor Information==
{{In_Info}}

==Goals==
In this course, you will use lessons, texts, and daily practice to improve your writing for the screen while developing your online, professional persona. Specifically, students will develop:
* writing skills most appropriate for several platforms on digital media;
* a professional persona that targets a specific expert community; and
* a collaborative sense of composition.

You will read, write, and workshop (discuss each other’s work online for the purpose of improvement). Though this class teaches you how to target a digital audience and the basics of how to publish writing for the web, it is not a technology class; it is primarily a writing class, though we will address various digital media throughout. That said, our primary concern is writing, not the tech we do it with.

'''Again, if you are uncomfortable researching and figuring out some things on your own, this may not be the section of NMAC 3108 for you.'''

===Student Learning Outcomes===
By successfully completing the course, students will demonstrate:
* The ability to analyze and evaluate issues in new media and communication;
* Proficiency writing for the web; and 
* Proficiency collaborating on a writing project.

==Materials==
[[File:Carroll.jpg|thumb]]
===Required Texts===
* {{cite book |last=Carroll |first=Brian |date=2017 |title=Writing and Editing for Digital Media |edition=3rd |url=https://amzn.to/2GfWe0J |location=New York |publisher=Routledge |page= |isbn=978-1138636033 |author-link= }}

===Recommended Texts===
* {{cite book |last=Barr |first=Chris |date=2010 |title=The Yahoo! Style Guide: The Ultimate Sourcebook for Writing, Editing, and Creating Content for the Digital World |url=https://amzn.to/2Dd5Zfm |location=New York |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |page= |isbn=978-0312569846 |author-link= }}
* {{cite web |url=https://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/index.html |title=The Web Style Guide |last1=Lynch |first1=Patrick J. |last2=Horton |first2=Sarah |edition=3rd |date=2008 |website= |publisher= |access-date=2019-04-15 |quote=}}

==Requirements==
Writing for Digital Media is composed of the following components; each is detailed in the tabs at the top of the page:
* RQ1: Wikipedia Contributions (50%)
* RQ2: Journal (30%)
* RQ3: Participation (20%)
Each requirement will be on-going throughout the semester, will require regular contributions, and be comprised of various assignments.

'''Students must complete all assignments in each project to successfully pass the course.'''

Projects you complete online should be able to '''stand alone'''; that is, assignments should not reference the class, but target a particular '''professional audience'''. Remember, these are '''public documents''', not just assignments; your audience, if you’re considering yourself as part of an expert community, is ''not necessarily'' your classmates and professor.

Please read each project at the beginning of the semester, so you have an understanding of what will be expected of you during the semester. Some assignments will take longer to complete than others. Work a bit and practice every day — ''do not procrastinate''.

==Policies==
Students are held accountable for knowing and practicing each of the following course policies. Consider them like the law: the excuse “I didn’t know” will carry no weight. In addition, students are responsible for reading, understanding, and adhering to all Middle Georgia State University student policies, including those linked on the Syllabus Policy page.<ref>See the MGA website's [https://www.mga.edu/faculty-affairs/syllabus-policy.php Syllabus Policy Page] the policies linked thereon.</ref>

{{Quote box|title=Drop Date|align=right|quote=June 21, 2019}}
Students may withdraw from the course and earn a grade of “W” up to and including the midterm date. After midterm, students who withdraw will receive a grade of “WF.” Students are encouraged to read the withdrawal policy before dropping/withdrawing from class.

{{Assignments}}
{{Attendance Online}}
{{Communication}}
{{Evaluation}}
{{Plagiarism}}
{{Research}}
{{Technology Online}}

==Schedule==
{{Schedule}}

===Course Overview===
The following is just a general outline of the course activities. More details are provided in the tab for each week located at the top of the page.

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:NMAC 3108]]
[[Category:Summer 2019]]
[[Category:Online]]