MP4020 - Digital Storytelling

This module offers a varied teaching and learning strategy. You will learn via a variety of mechanisms. These include lectures, seminars, online activities (where appropriate) and independent learning. Lectures considering the importance of design within the journalistic environment will be supplemented by workshops during which you will address and discuss issues raised by the module content. You will also develop skills in appropriate software in order to take part in practice-based tasks. These tasks will mean you will formatively work towards the module’s summative assessment portfolio. The teaching sessions and assessment will also guide your learning strategies and offer the opportunity to develop knowledge of issues you have researched independently. You will take part in group conferences for your assignments. This will give you the chance to develop ideas in an industry style environment. You will be expected to assess peers’ work, pitch ideas, agree a brief and file copy on time. Guidance will be offered on the preparation of assessed work, and you will be provided with feedback and feed-forward advice during writing. During your independent working time, it is also expected that you will apply the ideas raised in the lectures and workshops to your own practice. Where appropriate, additional materials will be supplied on the eLearning Portal or you will be directed you towards additional materials. These independent activities will facilitate your development as you progress through the module, laying a foundation for your assessed work.

You will be supported by the module lead; they will introduce the module at the start of the semester and offer advice and guidance throughout. Your learning is mapped out via documentation on Blackboard Ultra, the Northumbria University online electronic learning portal; this is accessible online on and off campus. The e-Learning Portal will include guidance notes and key dates to help you organise and plan your time. It will also include teaching materials, announcements and updates, and detailed information on assessment. You will have a university email that we contact you through. We support your learning by providing on-going feedback (Formative and Summative) through the range of teaching and learning approaches offered. We ask you to electronically submit your work electronically, and we will supply feedback via Turnitin. You will be able to compare your feedback across modules so that you can assess your development as you progress through the programme. Formative assessment is offered throughout the module, and summative assignments will receive written feedback within 20 working days of assignment submission. Every tutor has set weekly feedback and tutorial drop in hours, wherein you can seek advice on your academic progress. Where appropriate you may also be directed to engage with our Skills Plus or other resources offered through the University Student Support Services such as Dyslexia Support. Guidance tutorials also provide opportunities for students to discuss, in confidence, their academic progress on the programme.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Utilise a wide range of practical technical skills – including audio and video recording and editing and voice presentation.
• The ability to develop a creative idea from initial concept through planning and writing to filming and completion of an appropriately structured, successful and engaging product
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Employ a critical understanding of storytelling through an informed editorial, analytical and creative approach to professional practice.
• Systematically locate, research and organise material/sources appropriate for research
3.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• The ability to develop a creative idea from initial concept through planning and writing to filming and completion of an appropriately structured, successful and engaging product
• Systematically locate, research and organise material/sources appropriate for research

The final assessment will be split between:

1. 60-75 second Audio news package including relevant elements such as voice track, interviews and relevant soundscapes. (35%)

2. 2:00-2:30 minute documentary-style film on a person of your choice. (35%)

3. 1,000-word reflective commentary (30%)

(LOs 1-6)

N/A

N/A

The module introduces students to a range of practical technical skills – including audio and video recording and editing and voice presentation. You will be instructed on how to develop a creative idea from initial concept through planning and writing to filming and recording and completion of an appropriately structured, successful and engaging product. Assessment is via a portfolio of work produced after students engage in conducting research into stories. Digital Storytelling offers a variety of transferrable skills suitable for a variety of career paths and is particularly of use to students planning a career path in all branches of multi-media journalism.