NewsLINC Critique

What I like:
-Simplistic, good-looking design
-Easy to navigate layout
-Clearly defined sports and weather sections
-Clearly marked "About Us" section so you can know more about NewsLINC and News 7
-Shows poplar information on 'Home' Page right underneath tabs and more popular stories beneath it
-Shows what is coming up at 5:30
-Has a 'Report a Tip' section

What I think could be improved:
I personally have not found anything yet that is on the website that needs improvement

What is missing:
I think there should be a section for the people who contribute to NewsLINC with a little bit about themselves.

Camille and Rachel's Podcast

The First Year Experience Office at Lyndon State College is one of a kind. Donna Keely is the director.  Through an interview with Keely we found out how she ended up in first year experience, what she gets out of it, her future plans, and the benefits of the program to the students. The two main aspects of the First Year Experience Office are the SOAR and Fall Kick-Off Programs.

 SOAR stands for Student Orientation and Registration.  Incoming students attend a two day program in which they have their first experience living the life of a college student. They attend programs in order to learn about campus life and academics.  In these programs students talk to faculty and staff about their major, financial aid, and eventually register for classes. The students are lead in small groups throughout the two days by Peer Leaders. 

 When the students move in they attend another program called Fall Kick-Off. They students are placed into new groups with a new Peer Leader.  These groups will be their INT 1020 class during their first semester. Fall Kick-Off is a less intense version of SOAR, with more team building activities, such as community service and outdoor games. Overall the program is designed to build community within the incoming class. The students are given opportunities to hang out with others and form bonds as they start the academic year.  One of the most important relationships they make is with their Peer Leader.

 The role of a Peer Leader is to help incoming students get acquainted with the college and make an easy transition. They are a resource for students to come seek help and safe place to bring issues and concerns. The Peer Leaders are unique because they are a role model throughout SOAR, Fall Kick-Off, and the first semester.  These programs ensure that the incoming students can make connections with Peer Leaders, so they know at least one person when they move in during the fall.

Peer Leaders are connected with students and a faculty member in their INT 1020 class. Their role in the classroom is to be an assistant to the professor and continue to build relationships with the students. Peer Leaders are required to have four week check ins throughout the semester to make sure each individual student is excelling and settling in to college life. After the first semester is over the Peer Leaders may not be directly integrated with the freshmen class but the bonds formed during the First Year Experience programs continue

Rachel Veitch and Camille DeLongis-Podcast Outline

TOPIC: 
Interview with Donna Keely-Director of First Year Experience

PLAN: 
-Contact and set up meeting with Donna for an interview
-Create prepared list of question for interview
-For written accompaniment discuss SOAR and Fall kick off for the broader aspect
-Ask more personal, career based questions about her life in the interview

PODCAST RUN-DOWN: 
-Quick introduction of Rachel and Camille Introducing our first topic
-Introducing our interviewee
-Asking questions about college, career moves, why she chose this, what she gets out of it, favorite parts, etc.
-Conclusion/closing

Infogr.am Practice

LSC Enrollment | Create infographics

Rachel and Camille Audio-Souncloud

SoundCloud Prezi

Podcast Critiques

I subscribed to two blogs--Building a Website Pro by Michael Szapkiw and  Black Hollywood Live Fashion 411 by Black Hollywood Live. Both of these can be found on iTunes.

Building a Website Pro:
Why I picked it:
-Michael was a broadcast communications major in college, and now he is interested in the web, and uses his podcasts as a side job to help instruct others to build and design website. Since I am in the generation of communication majors who need to be able to do everything, this blog really appeals to me.

What I liked:
-Centered around making and designing websites
-Gives background about himself and how he got to making these podcasts and why he does it
-Gives good insight to different ideas in why you'll need to know this
-Teaches you how to do specific things (Come up with good domain names, themes, etc.)

What I disliked:
-Not many episodes yet

I will most likely continue to check on this podcast and listen to it if it has episodes focused around things I need to learn to improve on my blog/make a website

I did not put these on my iPod or anything else, I can listen on my computer if I want to.

Black Hollywood Fashion 411:
Why I picked it:
-Stood out to me
-Looked interesting
-Only clothing related podcast I saw

What I liked:
-Discusses trending looks
-Multiple people talking so it's not boring
-Has the feel of a conversation
-Funny, honest

What I disliked:
-Only really talks about celebrities
-Sometimes talks about things that aren't relevant or important which makes me lose interest

I do not know if I will continue to listening to this. I see what celebrities are wearing almost everywhere else, so it's not telling me much I don't know. I also don't really care what celebrities are wearing, I thought it would be a little different.

I did not put these on my iPod or anything else, because I can listen to them on my computer, like the other podcast.