There are essential strategies of journalistic practices that involve the Internet. Interactive Media Design has opened my eyes to the vast amount of technologies that are crucial for any aspiring journalist.
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There are so many aspects of digital journalism that I don’t believe I would have found without this class. At the start of this class I considered myself an amateur when it came to my knowledge of blogging and the tools of online journalism. However, I feel I have gained a vast amount of information to excel via cyber space.
Creating an effective journalistic blog was the most vital thing I learned. I have learned how to design my own blog, create an online community and network through social media sites, such as Twitter. I was able to create an ever changing blog environment with videos, images and podcasting, all crucial to the world of journalism.
It is not just the first step in creating a blog that was beneficial, but the execution of a successful blog. The ability to create a multi media site that is able to keep up with the competition is essential.
This class also provided techniques for successful Web design. What I have learned about design is as basic as choosing a WordPress theme, to the advanced, of how viewers scan a Web page in an F-shaped pattern and the eye tracking system. I have learned that using these advanced techniques are great ways to create more traffic to a Web site. Understanding my visitors is a factor that may have taken me a long time to grasp without this class.
Design has not been the only crucial part of Interactive Media Design. The purpose and proper execution of online journalism through, podcasting, videos and images has also expanded my knowledge. From creating and uploading a YouTube video, podcast or image, and to the advanced, of effectively tracking viewers to your Web site. In fact, constantly updating a blog with new content, videos and images will actually make Google rank the site higher and create more traffic to the Web site.
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As a journalism major there are tools that I am learning in the class room such as, writing, editing, interviewing and reporting. But ever changing technology and the Internet, print journalism and even television are moving online. This class has been more beneficial than some of my required classes.
I believe to be successful in the field of journalism one must know how to be an effective online journalist. Thank you Interactive Media Design for opening my eyes to the world of online journalism.
