Developing a Converged Journalism Capstone: Providing a Sustained Multimedia Publishing Experience across Disciplines

Teaching+, Winter 2016RationaleThe development of the Drake University converged journalism capstone began long before the first section was taught. The project has been discussed among faculty since 2007.This capstone idea grew from recognition that Magazine and News/lnternet majors need more multimedia experience. Research published as early as 2005 shows that a majority of Newspaper Managers at that time felt convergence skills were important when hiring, yet few educational institutions were training students in a range of media skills (Kraeplin & Criado, 2005). These students are preparing for a changing industry that is becoming digital-driven and increasingly video-driven. According to The 2013 Annual Survey of Journalism & Mass Communication Graduates, three times as many graduates are producing video for the web as in 2006 (Becker, Vlad, Simpson, 2014). As such, they need not only experience shooting and editing video, but also experience writing for video and visualizing video stories. These students were lacking knowledge of the language and process of the discipline, which limited their ability to work with video professionals. They lacked the ability to distinguish what is or isn't a "video story" and the understanding of the challenges and limitations in producing one.Additionally, there is the recognition that Electronic Media majors in the Broadcast News and Radio/TV Production tracks also need expanded preparation for a changing industry, specifically skills beyond traditional broadcast television and radio. Between 2006 and 2013, there has been a more than 20 percent increase in the number of recent graduates working in TV who also write or edit for the web as part of their responsibilities (Becker et al., 2014). More cross-platform reporting, writing and storytelling experience is needed, as well as soft skills such as collaboration with print writers and project management.Capstone experiences at the university have varied from major to major. Magazine and News/lnternet capstones merged in 2007 to create a single publication. Various iterations have been produced across several platforms: print-only, print+web, print+tablet, tablet-only and web-only. For years, this capstone has attempted an immersive multimedia experience but achieved disappointing results due to a lack of skill and ability with multimedia.The Electronic Media capstone combined Broadcast News and Radio/TV Production students. It has produced a live, 15-minute spot news program since 1993, airing on local cable and, later, also streamed online. With declining audiences and the need to prepare Broadcast News and Radio/TV Production students for a broader range of jobs in digital media, its value has diminished. These students need to produce content for larger audiences and develop skills in storytelling beyond the broadcast realm.A combined capstone was seen as a way to address the issues in both situations, and the development of this idea began in earnest in January 2014. This was part of a larger curricular overhaul and redesign of majors, driven by declining enrollment in news majors and changes in the industry. Faculty felt it necessary to leave behind the segregated print and television model and fully embrace a multiplatform, multimedia culture, including mobile creation and delivery, and the use of marketing, promotion and social media in finding, attracting and growing an audience.The ideal outcomes for this capstone experience remain the same as previous capstones with a foundation in storytelling: exhaustive reporting, recognition of the best medium to tell the story, good technical and artistic execution, strong writing, and a vigorous promotional effort.In addition, previous capstones have sought to improve students' professionalism and give them experience with "real-world" challenges and opportunities they'll soon face in the workplace. …