Devising a plan: Going from face-to-face teaching to alternative delivery

Dear students,

Let me begin by saying if was a pleasure to meet you all in person. I know that sounds weird, but there it is. We can no longer take that wonderful, valuable in-person communication for granted. Some of you I might see soon, but others I won't … Sigh.

Because of precautions taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus, my classes have either went online for at least two weeks, or are finishing out the semester online. Rather than write four separate emails, I'm addressing plans for each of my courses here in one single blog post.

Fortunately, all of you are accustomed to me sharing everything on Blackboard/Canvas. That will make it easier for you to understand my online instruction moving forward. The following are positives regarding your course going online:

• There are no more tests. So you don't have to worry about that.
• The rest of the assignments can be done using your smartphone, if need be. That means you won't have to worry about getting access to the technology in the classroom. If you do need/want Photo Mechanic, Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Adobe Elements/Premiere, you can get a free 30-day trial!
• You are already accustomed to submitting your assignments online anyway, on your website and social media.

I'm going to break down how each class will run during our mandated online course instruction period.

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY – Digital Media online grad class

No change in instruction.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE – Visual Storytelling

Online teaching method for the remainder of the semester.

This means we will communicate online until at least April 6, which is when our first day back in class is scheduled. I'll go in and modify the due dates and instructions within the next few days.

The following are plans for the podcast and feature story assignments:

Visual Storytelling class tours Media Center, where podcasting magic happens.

Podcast assignment:

- For those of you who have already recorded your podcasts, hang on to the files and you will produce them when we get back to class. However, if you have software at home, or want to get a 30-day trial of Adobe Premiere Pro, or try the free version of Audacity, then go for it. I have tutorials on this blog. I can also help talk you through it. I've already emailed you the intro, outro and music file.

- If you have not recorded your podcast yet, you have two options:

1. Wait until in-person courses at Owens resumes, then schedule your podcast with your guest and Herbey, or …
2. Use your smartphone audio app or other recording device and interview a person of your choice on a topic of your choice. It can be on any subject, and with anyone. Maybe talk about how this stupid virus is interfering with our lives!

- You can all wait to produce the podcast show during class, if we come back. If we don't come

back, then I'll address that issue at that time.

Feature photo story assignment:

-You will have to change your story subject, obviously, considering on-campus stories are off limits for now.

• So, you have two options:

1. shoot a photo story of your choice, and produce it using your smartphone editing apps. You can actually do this entire assignment on your smartphone. There are still events going on around Toledo, as long as they involve fewer than 100 people. But this depends on your comfort lever. I won't force any of you to go out in public if you don't want to, or ...
2. Wait until we get back to campus and do your original plan.
3. Know that deadlines will be moved back to accommodate these trying times.

UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO – Photojournalism

Online teaching method for the remainder of the semester.

University of Toledo pj student Lori Cooper shows off her woody camera.

This means we will communicate online until at least March 31, which is when our first day back in class is scheduled. I'll go in and modify the due dates and instructions within the next few days.

The following are plans for the feature and sports assignments:

Sports assignment: Canceled. All of the sporting events are being canceled, so there is nothing to shoot, unfortunately.

• However, I'll post the assignment so you can still get valuable information on how to shoot a sporting event.

Feature photo story assignment:

- You might have to change your story subject if you planned on covering something on campus. But there might be other things to shoot off campus, like pet adoption centers, unique restaurants, etc. Think outside of the box, and do something unique that will lend itself to visual variety.
- Since you are using your smartphone as a camera, you won't need the classroom to use the technology.

• So, you have two options:

1. shoot a photo story of your choice, and produce it using your smartphone editing apps. You can actually do this entire assignment on your smartphone. There are still events going on around Toledo, as long as they involve fewer than 100 people. But this depends on your comfort level. I won't force any of you to go out in public if you don't want to, or ...
2. wait until we get back to campus and do your original plan. But you know what happens when you wait until the last minute ... 

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY – Digital Photojournalism

Spring break is extended for students and all classes canceled until March 23. After March 23, we will resume an online method for the remainder of the semester.

Wayne State digital photojournalism students learn the power of manual.

Sports assignment: Canceled. All of the sporting events are being canceled, so there is nothing to shoot, unfortunately.

• However, I'll post the assignment so you can still get valuable information on how to shoot a sporting event.
• If, by some miracle, you find a sporting event that's still going on and you want to shoot it and post it according to the assignment instructions, go for it. Extra Credit!

Feature photo story assignment:

-You might have to change your story subject if you planned on covering something on campus. But there might be other things to shoot off campus, like pet adoption centers, unique restaurants, etc. Think outside of the box, and do something unique that will lend itself to visual variety.

- Since this is with your smartphone, you won't need the classroom to use the technology, and that's a good thing.

• So, shoot a photo story of your choice, and produce it using your smartphone editing apps. You can actually do this entire assignment on your smartphone. There are still events going on around Detroit, as long as they involve fewer than 100 people. But this depends on your comfort level. I won't force any of you to go out in public with lots of people if you don't want to.

All students: Know that deadlines will be pushed back to accommodate these trying times. Come up with ideas for these assignments. Remember, you are a photojournalism student, so you have a unique opportunity to tell how this virus is effecting people's lives. Pay attention to the news, and if an idea comes to you, let me know!

The final assignment:

I'll let you know what I plan to do.

Stay tuned …