What is Electronic Magazine and why do we have to take it?
Electronic Magazine is a freshman signature course required at The Liberal Arts and Science Academy. Just like Science and Technology (Sci-Tech), E-Zine challenges students to work in a group on an extended project, building imperative skills for the 21st century job market. Students will be guided through the development and implementation of a traditional print-style magazine, fitted for online consumption. To see the latest work from our students, check out the Fall 2009 link under Student Work in the column on the right.
The Liberal Arts and Science Academy recognizes the importance of technological skills; therefore, E-Zine is a required course. Students will learn the foundations of Adobe Creative Suite 4, which is used not only by professional publications, but in many fields of work. E-Zine develops and fosters students' visual communication skills as they write and design a variety of journalistic pieces for the Web.
What are we going to learn in this class?
1. Magazine/E-Zine Analysis/Audience
Students will analyze a variety of magazines for theme, audience and purpose, helping to develop their own publication. Students will also study and analyze magazines from the previous semesters.
2. Theme Development/BrainstormingStudents will be grouped, and they will collaborate to develop a magazine concept. All pieces written must correspond with the magazine theme. Students will be responsible for presenting their idea for approval. 3. Principles of Design/SoftwareThroughout the semester, students will learn the foundations of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. They will maintain a designer notebook to house ideas, learn techniques, and plan for their magazine. Students will be expected to know design terminology and apply the principles of design to their own magazine. Graphic designers will mentor and critique students as they develop their magazines. 4. Journalism EthicsStudents will apply ethical standards when making decisions about content: pieces, photos, illustrations, sources, and research. These ethics will be discussed in class prior to each relevant assignment.5. The CommentaryStudents will write a commentary (or opinion piece) for their magazine. They will choose their angle according to their magazine theme. Students will edit, revise, and conference until the piece is ready for publication. 6. Alternative Story Forms/MultimediaStudents will become proficient with digital cameras and digital audio recorders, creating podcasts to practice alternative storytelling skills. Students will also implement visual elements, such as photography, information graphics and other alternative story forms within their magazines. In the final magazine, all students will have two alternative story forms: one that focuses on design and one that focuses on content and employs the writing processes they have learned in class.7. The FeatureStudents will write a feature story for their magazine. They will choose their angle according to their magazine theme. Students will interview people in the community, take accurate notes, edit, revise, and conference until the piece is ready for publication.
8. Revising/EditingStudents will learn to be detail-oriented in their writing, using correct grammar, punctuation and organizational skills.What will students need for this class?1. This class is mostly digital, but students will need storage for physical designs and loose papers. Students will need a folder or small binder that can be stored in class.2. Students will create a group email account in Google and will need to access this email at least three times a week. Students will use Google for file sharing and class communication. 3. If you have access to a digital camera, that is a plus. There are only 2 cameras for student check-out, so the wait list can get long.4. Class supplies: Each period will be assigned to bring one of the following: a ream of paper, a box of tissues, OR a bottle of hand sanitizer.5. Students will be advised on how they can order and pay for their magazine (not to exceed $15).
6. Students will need a set of headphones for software tutorials. If students wish, they may leave headphones in class for use at any time.7. Though it is not required, access to a USB drive is recommended for digital storage space.
What resources will students be expected to use in this class?
1. lasaezine.blogspot.com
2. Google: Gmail, Docs, Tasks, Calendar3. Electronic Magazine Class Calendar4. issuu.com/lasaezine
5. magcloud.com
What are the goals for students, according to The Liberal Arts and Science Academy?1. Teach the student skills necessary in communicating within the online media today with an emphasis on writing, interviewing, observing, reporting, reacting and synthesizing.2. Help the student become an intelligent consumer of mass media.
3. Give the student the opportunity to discover and explore the various forms of writing utilized in journalism and other disciplines.4. Provide the student with opportunities to critique his or her own writing, the writing of others and to have his or her writing evaluated by a teacher.5. Help the student understand and accept the legal, moral and ethical responsibilities inherent in a free press.6. Help the student learn the copy rules and tools necessary for preparation of copy for magazines and newspapers.7. Help the student to develop responsibility for punctuality in meeting deadlines.8. Teach the student the necessity of research to add validity, emphasis and reputation to published works.9. Help the student develop the verbal, written, personal and social skills needed to publish Web content.10. Teach the student how to present his or her writing in an attractive, inviting manner through appropriate design, graphics and photography.11. Give the student an outlet for creativity not found in other classes.12. Awake in the student social responsibility and a social and political awareness of the world around him or her.
How will students be graded in this class?This class will follow the grading policy as determined by the English Department at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy: Major Assignments 50% Quizzes 30% Daily 20%.
Students need to be aware of The Liberal Arts and Science Academy's Honesty Pledge. This pledge must appear and be signed on every graded assignment. Under the Honor Code, violations will result in one or more of the following consequences as determined by the Academic Dishonesty Committee: Zero on the assignment, ISS, Zero for the six-weeks, Lunch Detention, Saturday School, HSS. Upon the third violation during a student’s career at LASA, the student will be removed from LASA and returned to his or her home Austin ISD high school.What are the class rules and what happens if students do not comply?
1. In seat, ready for gathering when tardy bell rings. At the beginning and end of every class period, we will gather to prepare for and close the daily activities. Please be seated when the bell rings and be ready to begin the gathering activity posted on the board.2. No food, drinks or trash in the classroom. Eating in class, other than designated days, is not allowed. Bottled water is permitted away from the computers.
3. Keep hands and objects to self. Students must keep their hands to themselves. Please respect classmates' personal space and belongings.
4. Follow directions and exhibit good manners. Students must be on task. Students must respect their classmates by using proper communication and actions. 5. No talking when teacher talks. Students must not talk during teacher instruction.
Because students are at an advanced magnet school, there is an expectation of being well-mannered and mature. I enjoy calling and emailing parents, so when I contact yours, I would love to brag on you! In the instance students fail to follow procedures, one or all of three things will happen: warning, a call/email to parents, and/or a discipline referral.
What if I am absent?Students must come in during teacher's established office hours to receive makeup instruction. Students have one day after they return to contact their teacher and set a time to make up the missed instruction. If students know they will be absent in advance, they should make arrangements with me to get the work and we’ll decide a feasible date for turn in. If students didn’t plan on being absent, they should check the Electronic Magazine calendar for anything missed. All assignments and lessons will be posted there.
Any work due on the day of an unplanned absence is due the very next class period. Students have one day to make up an assignment for each day of absence. It is the student's responsibility to contact the teacher for make-up work.
Students need to understand that, due to the nature of this course, make-up work for discussion classes may not be 100% equitable to attending the class itself; students take the onus for missing these classes upon themselves when they are absent. We suggest that students contact a trusted classmate as well as the teacher when they miss a discussion or lecture day, as a student would do in a college course.
If a student is absent on a test day or fails a test or quiz, they are REQUIRED to reschedule with the instructor to retake it within a timely manner.
What happens if students are tardy?
Students should walk in quietly and sign the tardy binder when late. If there is a note, please give it to me quietly and try to catch up. Students are only allowed 3 tardies per class, per semester before consequences occur. (Saturday school, make-up hours, discipline referral, etc.) If students are more than twenty minutes late, it’s an absence. And because Electronic Magazine is a double-blocked course, missing class counts as two absences. SEE TARDY POLICY IN STUDENT HANDBOOK.
What happens if students don't turn in assignments on the day they are due?If students fail to turn in an assignment on the due date, 10 percent will be taken off per day. After the third school day, the assignment can only be turned in for up to 50 percent of the original assignment. If a student fails a test or quiz, they are REQUIRED to reschedule a retake the day following the absence, for a total worth of 70 percent of the original grade. Of course, the highest grade will be recorded.
How can students get extra help in E-Zine if they need it? Any student is welcome to make an appointment during designated tutorial hours. (Mondays and Wednesdays 3:40-4:30). In order to ensure personalized help, the student is encouraged to sign up for a time slot in advance. Turn In:
1. Please read over the signature page and return to Mrs. Young or Ms. Richey by Friday, January 8, 2010. 2. Please enter your family's
contact information for easy communication.
