J-School: An Online Chat

News Type: Opinion — Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:55 PM EDT

technology, internet, journalism, blogs, citizen-journalism, chat, bloggers, new-media, aine-macdermot, peter-fallon

JOUR 353/453 - "The Alternative Media"
Dr. Peter Fallon
Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL

Late last week, I participated in an online chat with Dr. Peter Fallon and his class, JOUR 353/453 "The Alternative Media" at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Two bloggers, myself and Katharine of EditorMom, were honored to be invited to speak on the topic of blogging.

All of Dr. Fallon's students are currently writing blogs on a variety of subjects, and a few are actually already working as journalists. We started the chat with the students telling us about their blogs and the topics they are writing about (links to each are at the end of this article). Katharine and I then talked a little bit about our own blogs, and then we were inundated with questions... sometimes quicker than we could answer them. *grin*

I was both pleased and surprised at the depth of some of the questions asked. Here are some of the things we talked about: how do we market our blogs (I don't), blogger burn-out, RSS feeds, self-censorship, Newsvine (which I talked about extensively and urged them all to join), helpful tools for bloggers, how to get into the publishing field (take a low-level job and work your way up), copyright and source attribution, tagging, citizen journalism, why we blog (passion and a sense of caring, to educate, and hoping to effect change in the world), what newspapers we read, the importance of newspapers and journalists to bloggers, and the difficulty of discerning credibility of sources ("it helps to have a good b*llsh*t detector").

We even talked about politics and the upcoming 2008 presidential elections. There seemed to be a general consensus of support for Barack Obama, and that's no surprise coming from students in Chicago, IL. :)

I think they have serious concerns about how relevant journalism and newspapers will be in the future, and I can't say I'm surprised by that since the industry is currently shedding jobs and there are a number of papers in serious financial trouble. I do think journalists and newspapers will always be important and relevant, especially to bloggers and hopefully to the general public as well, although I'm seeing a trend toward more online news at the expense of print circulation.

All in all, I had an enjoyable time talking to these Journalism students. The time flew by and I could have gone on talking for several more hours... easily. Here's a list of the blogs of each of the participants in the chat. I hope you will spend a few minutes with each of them and offer your thoughts, advice, and support to these bloggers and their blogs...

Child Market - A blog about child prostitution & trafficking.
EditorMom (Katharine) - Social justice, publishing, politics, and other issues.
Healthy Bodies - The fight for universal health care.
In The Dark - Dr. Peter Fallon
Mama Nature - Covering environmental issues.
media future universe - The media and the future of media.
News Snobbery - Turning up my nose at all that is not news.
Newsworthy02 - A comparative look at the days top news stories from a few different sources.
Obama-meter - The meter is running on Barack Obama's campaign for president.
regulating regulators - Observing and reporting news about the FCC.
Render Unto Caesar - A critical look at the dwindling separation of church and state in the US.

Thanks to Dr. Peter Fallon and his class at Roosevelt University for a very enjoyable evening.

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Aine MacDermot's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Newsvine Community, The Citizen Journalist
Regions: United States , Chicago

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This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

3.9

2.7

{"commentId":605841,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

Aine! What a great experience that must have been for everyone. I'm so jealous! These students are so bright and engaged. Welcome to Dr. Fallon and the RU's Alternative Media class.

{"commentId":605841,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

4 votes

#1 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:52 AM EDT

{"commentId":605843,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

I'm so impressed w/niteowl's page on child prostitution. Powerful photo...not afraid of aids, but of hunger. Good quotes. Here's niteowl's short profile

niteowl
I am an undergraduate at Roosevelt University. Currently, I am pursuing a degree in social justice. Favorite Quote: "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." ALDOUS HUXLEY

I also really liked the intro commentary and quote:

Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.

Good powerful social conscience.

{"commentId":605843,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

3 votes

#2 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:01 AM EDT

{"commentId":605844,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

And, this Mis I. M. Concerned...you just step right out there...wham...opens up to good clean visual space, hitting a topic that is critical to the U.S. right now. Good links. Well done. (mind you...I know nothing about formalities of writing or blogging but Aine does and I read alot) Powerful, I.M Concerned. Well done.

{"commentId":605844,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

3 votes

#3 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":605845,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

Cow farts. That got my attention. I like the green, healthy energy, environmental thing. Your blog is similar to what I do...a little bit of everything that rolls around the head. Mama Earthy. Interesting read.

{"commentId":605845,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

3 votes

#4 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:11 AM EDT

{"commentId":605847,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

media future universe...looks smart and sharp...but it 2am as I read and I realize I can't, so I'll come back to this. I do want to say I am so impressed by what you guys are doing and the individuality that comes across. Hope you all get a lot of comments and feedback. I'll finish up the list soon. And, thank you for sharing your work!

{"commentId":605847,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

3 votes

#5 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:17 AM EDT

{"commentId":606079,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

Yeah, these students are tackling some serious subjects! And they're passionate about it. That was one of the things we talked about, having a passion for it, wanting to make a difference.

{"commentId":606079,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"aine"}

1 vote

#5.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:43 PM EDT

{"commentId":605945,"authorDomain":"digits"}

Digits

Aine - What an honor! You continually inspire me. The time and the passion you put into your writing and then to share it with eager young ones... I know you are well travelled in the internet circles of writing and journalism.

I wonder if you have thought of marketing an e-book?

Ew. Somehow I felt dirty saying that just now.

Bygones.

:-)

{"commentId":605945,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"digits"}

3 votes

#6 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:42 AM EDT

{"commentId":606077,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

I don't even market my own blogs. LOL

{"commentId":606077,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"aine"}

#6.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":606039,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

Aine, it is a brave new world; so nice to see the qualities that have made you a role model for so many of us, are being held up to inspire those coming of age and preparing to carry the torch and setting the bar by example.

{"commentId":606039,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

1 vote

#7 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":606083,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

I felt honored to be invited! :) It was a great experience and I wouldn't mind doing more of that.

{"commentId":606083,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"aine"}

#7.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":606048,"authorDomain":"ISPY"}

I SPY

Hmmm News Snobbery :) - Turning up my nose at all that is not news.

That kind'o' Appeals to me

Does Roosevelt University have a good Blues Band ? Can we get some MP3's :)

{"commentId":606048,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"ISPY"}

1 vote

#8 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":606074,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

I don't know if the Uni has a blues band... but this is CHICAGO, Ispy... Chicago blues... the Blues Brothers! *grin*

{"commentId":606074,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"aine"}

1 vote

#8.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":611097,"authorDomain":"uspolitics"}

Kathy Gill

Hi, Aine! I liked to this from my class blog this quarter. Thanks for the inspirational links!

{"commentId":611097,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"uspolitics"}

1 vote

#9 - Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":611311,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

Cool. I hope you'll make your class do blogging, and feel free to let us know where their blogs are. :)

{"commentId":611311,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"aine"}

#9.1 - Wed Mar 28, 2007 5:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":611317,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

I've linked to your blog from my blog, you'll probably see it in the Dashboard once that gets indexed again.

{"commentId":611317,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"aine"}

#9.2 - Wed Mar 28, 2007 5:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":611786,"authorDomain":"uspolitics"}

Kathy Gill

Cool! They'll be setting up their Newsvine accounts in lab on Thursday. They have to do one column per week and four seeds.

{"commentId":611786,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"uspolitics"}

1 vote

#9.3 - Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:32 AM EDT

{"commentId":611777,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

News Snob...good choice of topics. I especially liked this quote on your front page: "A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives." -James Madison

Guess we've got a whole new slew of citizen journalists here at your university. Good work.

{"commentId":611777,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

2 votes

#10 - Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:22 AM EDT

{"commentId":611779,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

Newsworthy 02...I like your approach, trying to compare national news with what's reported locally. Good luck, and good job!

{"commentId":611779,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

2 votes

#11 - Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:24 AM EDT

{"commentId":611780,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

NB...let's hope your guy wins. I like the looks of your front page. What will you do when the election is over? I like the additions of the videos.

{"commentId":611780,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

2 votes

#12 - Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:27 AM EDT

{"commentId":611783,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

Narrowcaster...good focus. Those regulators need some sharp minds to oversee what they're doing and where they're getting their so-called experts. Good choice.

{"commentId":611783,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

2 votes

#13 - Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:29 AM EDT

{"commentId":611787,"authorDomain":"redruby"}

Redruby

You're So Lucky...great job, lots of visual interest, smart juxtaposition of bush and jesus...all around smart blog. I like it. Great focus. And, I love Lenny Bruce.

{"commentId":611787,"threadId":"87891","contentId":"630405","authorDomain":"redruby"}

2 votes

#14 - Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:34 AM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"87891","isPrivate":false}

AINE MACDERMOT

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J-School: An Online Chat

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