Training, more than equipment, is key to quality video production

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Mu Lin

A participant in my recent open online course, Audio Slideshow Storytelling, shows us that anyone, with proper training, can produce a good story using consumer-level equipment and free software. Continue reading →

Posted in Audio slideshow | 1 Comment

Reverse image search: A Google tool every web editor and researcher should use

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Mu Lin

By cropping a photo to its most salient part, we can use Google’s “search by image” feature to identify object in a photo that does not have accompanying texts, caption or metadata. Continue reading →

Posted in Digital tools and tips | 1 Comment

Build a niche content site into communication curriculum: My advice to chairs and directors

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Mu Lin

A full-fledged niche content site can train students in key areas of digital communication: content production and curation; community building; social media marketing; and campaigns and ecommerce. Continue reading →

Posted in Digital journalism education | 2 Comments

Content ideas for social media marketing: How to pinpoint specific topics using Google autocomplete and Keyword Planner

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Mu Lin

Social media managers and content marketers can use Google and third-party tools to pinpoint specific topics, not just broad keywords, that people are actually searching for. Continue reading →

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How to make an audio slideshow: My step-by-step advice to students

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Mu Lin

To create audio slideshow profile stories, one needs to know, among others, what questions to ask, what photos to take and what sound effects to use. Continue reading →

Posted in Audio slideshow | 2 Comments

Integrating hands-on learning practices to social media curriculum: A case study at University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Mu Lin

In less than two years, the social media curriculum at University of Wisconsin-Platteville went from non-existent to achieving national recognition for offering the “best hands-on experience.” All levels of administration have positively commented on the curriculum, especially the emphasis on high impact learning practices (the new euphemism for “hands-on”).

Contributed by Dr. Robert J. Snyder, this post discusses why and how the Department of Media Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville added a comprehensive social media curriculum. With the insights shared by Dr. Snyder, other schools may find inspiration, or practical details, in adding coursework within their own social media curriculum with high impact learning practices.

Continue reading →

Posted in Digital journalism education | 1 Comment

Social media monitoring: A must-have skill for communication majors

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Mu Lin

Social media monitoring is a practice that sees widespread use in various industries, and should be part of the core curriculum for every communication degree program. Continue reading →

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Hashtag research: How to search relevant hashtags for social media marketing

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Mu Lin

Social media marketers can use hashtag search tools to find topical influencers and hashtags they use, and research hashtags that are relevant to the contents being promoted. Continue reading →

Posted in Social media marketing | 5 Comments

A hands-on approach to teaching social media courses: Implementing social media strategy for a content publishing site

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Mu Lin

By implementing a well-thought-out social media strategy, a student-run content publishing site can bring free publicity to the sponsoring program and give students working knowledge of social media marketing.

This post discusses four issues regarding a hands-on teaching approach for social media courses: inadequacy of existing teaching approach, how to develop a social media strategy for a college- or department-sponsored site, how to implement such a strategy, and what a content publishing site looks like. Continue reading →

Posted in Digital journalism education | 4 Comments

Gannett’s “Newsroom of the Future” calls for changes in journalism education

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Mu Lin

If Gannett’s radical newsroom restructuring becomes industry norms, journalism schools need to do two things to better prepare graduates for the job market: (a) offer innovative digital training and (b) prepare students for jobs other than newsroom staff. Continue reading →

Posted in Digital journalism education, Industry observation | 4 Comments