Posted April 8, 2020
Photo by Meagen Sigmon, a visual communications student whose mother tested positive for COVID-19
When the university shifted to remote instruction in March, faculty and students found innovative ways to adapt in-person courses to an online format.
“Our students, faculty and staff distinguish themselves by their ingenuity, enthusiasm and adaptability,” says Andrea Hickerson, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. “In less than two weeks time, our faculty and staff converted over 100 face-to-face courses into online delivery this spring. I’m very proud of how the SJMC community has rallied to support each other and still produce exceptional work.”
These efforts include special coverage by Carolina News and Reporter and rethinking how video production classes are designed.
Video production with Dr. Sabrina Habib
We decided to explore coronoavirus as a topic because our field tends to express their view and/or report world events. Since the students do not have access to the School of Journalism equipment, the class is no longer about the technical side of video production. Once the class went online, we began exploring storytelling, self-expression, and finding their voice.
-
Flatten the Curve
Coronavirus PSA by Monica Frazier, junior visual communications major from Piedmont, South Carolina
-
Are you Scared?
Coronavirus PSA by senior visual communications major Hannah Longyear from Marietta, Georgia.
-
Why I Stay Home
Coronavirus PSA by senior visual communications major Sarah Sharpe from Greenville, South Carolina.
Intermediate Reporting and Power Producing with Dr. Laura Smith
I’m so incredibly impressed by what I’m seeing all around me. The resiliency of our students is amazing. They are getting a real-world experience in ways we couldn’t have imagined just two months ago. I designed a number of new assignments to take advantage of multimedia field production components. We’re holding regular, synchronous meetings via Blackboard Collaborate. They’re working collaboratively from across the country to produce stories, web content and newscasts using their phones and laptops. They’re sharing their work on Slack and OneDrive. And we’re streaming, posting and publishing on YouTube Channels and newly-created Facebook Pages.
-
COVID-19 Reporting
Students in the Power Producing class are building "Whip Arounds" for their newscasts.
-
Story in Ten Frames
Without access to our professional cameras, students quickly adapted and visualized stories through still photography with their phones.
-
Videolicious Examples
Students in Intermediate Reporting used social media apps to take photos, track, report, and edit.
Social Media and Mobile Journalism with Dr. Kirstin Pellizzaro
While a class on social media and mobile journalism is easily moved to an online space, I was not sure what students would be able to produce being confined to their homes. However, the photo essay assignment gave us a glance into each other's lives during this pandemic. Every student had a story to tell, from being an essential worker at a grocery store to staying positive while caring for a family member with COVID-19. The assignment provided an opportunity for us to come together and express sympathy during this situation. Though we are apart, we are growing as a class.
-
Taking Precautions
Lauren Davis, senior broadcast journalism major from Columbia, South Carolina, works at Whole Foods and did her essay on the precautions they are taking.
-
Family Life
Meagen Sigmon, a visual communications student from Greenville, South Carolina, captures her story on what life is like as her mom is sick with COVID-19.
-
Coping with COVID-19
Mackenzie McNabb, junior public relations major from Fort Mill, South Carolina chronicled how small businesses are coping with coronavirus in Tega Cay.
Intermediate Reporting and Production with Dr. Kirstin Pellizzaro
Moving the Intermediate Reporting and Production class online was a daunting task, but my broadcast journalism students rose to the occasion. These mini packages tested their critical thinking skills and their ability to adapt to a new, unique situation. You never know what life is going to throw at you on the job, but you have to remain calm, come up with solutions, and quickly get the job done with the audience none the wiser. Our students will be ready for any situation life throws at them while on the job.
-
Targeting Coronavirus
Christina Holmes, senior, broadcast journalism major from Lexington, South Carolina, created a mini package on what it’s like working at Target during the pandemic.
-
Front Line Volunteering
Lovianna Blackwell, a junior broadcast journalism major from York, South Carolina, spotlights a UofSC nursing student who is volunteering with Corona Virus efforts at PRISMA health.
-
Education Must Go On
Terry Craig, senior broadcast journalism major from Clinton, South Carolina, creates a mini package on how School District 56 is adapting during the pandemic.