Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Yea! PodCats is up and running!
Here it is, the first official episode of PodCats. Enjoy! Let me know what you think!
PodCats Episode 1
PodCats Episode 1
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Holy Frustration Batman!
So today is layout for issue #4. I am trying very hard not to lost hope, but it is taking everything I have. And it seems that I am not the only one.
My advertising manager is frustrated after calling at least a dozen different businesses this issue. She calls and calls, the managers say they want to advertise, but we never get the contracts and the managers never follow through.
"I just want to be done," the focus editor said.
In five weeks, we still have the majority of stories not finished and photos missing left and right. I just don't get it.
I'm frustrated because I try to give them space to do their work, but it seems that the work doesn't get done unless I'm mean and constantly on their backs. And it's not every staff member, every issue. That is even more frustrating. There is always someone working really hard and doing great work, but then there are more people who aren't. And it's not the same people each issue.
I'm at a loss. I want them to be good. I want them to win the awards that they are capable of winning. I want others to recognize their talents. I want them to want to be good.
My advertising manager is frustrated after calling at least a dozen different businesses this issue. She calls and calls, the managers say they want to advertise, but we never get the contracts and the managers never follow through.
"I just want to be done," the focus editor said.
In five weeks, we still have the majority of stories not finished and photos missing left and right. I just don't get it.
I'm frustrated because I try to give them space to do their work, but it seems that the work doesn't get done unless I'm mean and constantly on their backs. And it's not every staff member, every issue. That is even more frustrating. There is always someone working really hard and doing great work, but then there are more people who aren't. And it's not the same people each issue.
I'm at a loss. I want them to be good. I want them to win the awards that they are capable of winning. I want others to recognize their talents. I want them to want to be good.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Podcast Attempt
I think I've learned how to podcast... kinda.
I figured out how to use Garage Band to create the audio file (and even add pics to it). However, it turns out GB 3 is the version that does this, not GB 2, which is what I have. I did manage to create a small audio file with my version of GB 2 though.
I also figured out how to create a feed from my blog. You will notice the nice little graphic off to the right there. Feel free to click on that and subscribe to my blog (and podcast should I ever get it going).
Now, the main problem that I am having is figuring out how to get my dinky little audio file onto this blog. I'm saving that for tomorrow.
Hopefully, I can get this figured out sooner rather than later. I think Jake is pretty enthusiastic about starting a Spokesman web site and podcast. I just need to figure out the details to help make it all happen.
Now, how on earth do I have time to figure this out you ask? Aren't I knee-deep in grading and lesson planning since I was gone for four days? Shouldn't I be helping my student teacher with the research paper unit? Shouldn't I be conducting grade meetings for issue 3? Well, yes, I should be doing all of those things. My problem is that none of those things is as interesting as figuring out podcasting or updating my blog.
I'm tired. I'm burning out a bit on the daily grind of planning and grading. Figuring out podcasting seems to be an interesting challenge that could invigorate my teaching.
However, all is not lost. My JW2ers are getting some good lessons on sports writing and infographics. Those ideas came from Nashville. And I'm really enjoying helping them work through this sports unit. And I'm putting my Spokesman SMART goal into action by meeting with the staffers about their stories. I've had a lot of fun and fulfillment working with them during fifth and seventh periods. It's kind of nice to be able to coach them through the story instead of just looking at it when it's finished and too late to change anything.
That's all I have for now. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten my promise to tell you about the jeans and cab. It's coming.
I figured out how to use Garage Band to create the audio file (and even add pics to it). However, it turns out GB 3 is the version that does this, not GB 2, which is what I have. I did manage to create a small audio file with my version of GB 2 though.
I also figured out how to create a feed from my blog. You will notice the nice little graphic off to the right there. Feel free to click on that and subscribe to my blog (and podcast should I ever get it going).
Now, the main problem that I am having is figuring out how to get my dinky little audio file onto this blog. I'm saving that for tomorrow.
Hopefully, I can get this figured out sooner rather than later. I think Jake is pretty enthusiastic about starting a Spokesman web site and podcast. I just need to figure out the details to help make it all happen.
Now, how on earth do I have time to figure this out you ask? Aren't I knee-deep in grading and lesson planning since I was gone for four days? Shouldn't I be helping my student teacher with the research paper unit? Shouldn't I be conducting grade meetings for issue 3? Well, yes, I should be doing all of those things. My problem is that none of those things is as interesting as figuring out podcasting or updating my blog.
I'm tired. I'm burning out a bit on the daily grind of planning and grading. Figuring out podcasting seems to be an interesting challenge that could invigorate my teaching.
However, all is not lost. My JW2ers are getting some good lessons on sports writing and infographics. Those ideas came from Nashville. And I'm really enjoying helping them work through this sports unit. And I'm putting my Spokesman SMART goal into action by meeting with the staffers about their stories. I've had a lot of fun and fulfillment working with them during fifth and seventh periods. It's kind of nice to be able to coach them through the story instead of just looking at it when it's finished and too late to change anything.
That's all I have for now. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten my promise to tell you about the jeans and cab. It's coming.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Nashville fun
We are almost done with our third day of convention. It's been a great experience so far. I'll try to give you a little peak into the fun we've had.
We were pretty lucky when we got to Nashville on Thursday. The students' hotel rooms were ready right away. My and Steve's room wasn't ready until 4:30 though, so that meant a lot of sitting around the many lobbies in this huge hotel. We finally got in though with a few extra minutes before we left for dinner.
That has been the biggest disappointment on this trip. The Opryland has plenty of restaurants and food vendors, but they are all outrageously expensive. Thursday night, we ended up eating at the sports bar in the hotel. We didn't have enough time to walk the 15 minutes to Applebee's. I paid $10 for a chicken ceasar salad. It was good, but not $10 worth. A few of the girls ordered what the restaurant described as soup. A more accurate description was given by Rachel, "It tastes like water with a little bit of onion in it." The hotel food hasn't been very noteworthy other than the high prices.
Friday was filled with sessions and contests. I think everyone had at least one good session on Friday. Story ideas and design seems to be the big hit topics for us this time. That's good since that is our goal. I think that might be why we are noticing story ideas and design more.
Okay, I'm getting tired of writing now, so I'm going to take a break. However, you will want to check back later. I have a great story about torn jeans and a broken down taxi.
We were pretty lucky when we got to Nashville on Thursday. The students' hotel rooms were ready right away. My and Steve's room wasn't ready until 4:30 though, so that meant a lot of sitting around the many lobbies in this huge hotel. We finally got in though with a few extra minutes before we left for dinner.
That has been the biggest disappointment on this trip. The Opryland has plenty of restaurants and food vendors, but they are all outrageously expensive. Thursday night, we ended up eating at the sports bar in the hotel. We didn't have enough time to walk the 15 minutes to Applebee's. I paid $10 for a chicken ceasar salad. It was good, but not $10 worth. A few of the girls ordered what the restaurant described as soup. A more accurate description was given by Rachel, "It tastes like water with a little bit of onion in it." The hotel food hasn't been very noteworthy other than the high prices.
Friday was filled with sessions and contests. I think everyone had at least one good session on Friday. Story ideas and design seems to be the big hit topics for us this time. That's good since that is our goal. I think that might be why we are noticing story ideas and design more.
Okay, I'm getting tired of writing now, so I'm going to take a break. However, you will want to check back later. I have a great story about torn jeans and a broken down taxi.
