Posting Audio to the iTunesU DropBox (4 easy steps)

Ok, here's a step-by-step guide to posting your audio pieces to the drop box:

* Step 1: Moving file from your recorder to your computer. This depends on which audio recorder you've purchased or borrowed, but for most, just plug the device into the computer or connect with a cable, find the audio files you created, and then drag them to your Desktop or favorite folder. See the instruction manual on your recorder if you hit a snag on this.

* Step 2: Converting the file to a .mp3 format. Some audio recorders can be set to tape in mp3 format, in which case you can skip this step. If you do need to switch from .WMA or .WAV to .mp3, there are many ways to do this, so choose the one that is easiest for you.

• Method 1: Stand-alone converter program: There are free software programs you can download to your home computer. My favorite program for the Mac or PC is Switch. If you can't get the free trial to work for that, another one for PC is Free mp3 WMA Converter. And for Mac you can try All2Mp3.
  
• Method 2: Online converter method. If you can't install software, there are free Web sites that will do it, but they have some pop-up ads (which won't hurt your computer but are annoying). The best I've found is zamzar.com, but let me know if you find a better one.
  
  

* Step 3: Rename your file. Find the mp3 file on your computer and rename it so that you use your name, an underscore, and then the name of the assignment as listed on the syllabus. The expert interview is audio1. Make sure the file still ends in .mp3

* Step 4: Place in iTunesU Dropbox. Click on the dropbox link and log in using your university ID and password. Then choose, open with iTunes. Click on "Upload and Manage Files" at the top right. Then click "Add new file" and click "Browse" and select the file from your computer. Then Click "OK." The file should then slowly upload -- might take a few minutes -- don't close your browser until it reaches 100%

Let me know if you have any trouble.

-Jeff

Links from Today's Class

Here are some of the pieces I showed during class today:


Apple iPad: The New York Times demo

Sports Illustrated - Tablet Demo 1.5

ACU plans to publish first student newspaper on Apple's new iPad

Profile of a backpacker: Inside Mara Schiavocampo’s toolkit

Haiti Moves Past Broken Bones to Future Needs

Growing Up With Tourettes

First Audio Homework Details

Here are the details for the homework:

* We have a homework assignment this week, as it says in the syllabus and as I mentioned in class. You'll need to upload the homework to the iTunesU Dropbox by start of next class (Friday, Feb 5) -- It should be online by noon *before the start of class* if at all possible. If you can get the file on the dropbox, don't worry about posting to the blog -- sorry for the confusion on that but posting to the dropbox is easier than the other way.

* Once again, the assignment is to conduct an interview with an expert on a topic of your choice. Think of it as a podcast interview for a newspaper Web site or an audio extra to go along with a newspaper story online (feel free to use a subject from an article you're working on now for another class, etc). Please start your interview with some sort of short intro, similar to what we did in class today. For instance, you could say something like:

"Hello, I'm _______. Today I'm talking with ____, who studies ____ at the University of Maryland. His latest book explores ____. Thanks for being with us today."

And have some sort of ending, like: "Thanks for talking with us."

This will be an unedited interview -- no less than 2 minutes but no longer than 5 minutes. Don't worry if there's a stumble here or there. Just do one take and do your best.

I'll be mainly grading on whether you find a quiet enough space record, whether you avoid handling noise, whether you hold the microphone at a proper distance to get a clean recording, and whether you have some sort of clear intro and closing -- and of course ask good questions.

Also, you must do the required reading and listening:

Required Reading (handed out in class):
Sound Reporting - "Reporting" pp. 48-72

Required Listening:

* On the Media: Pulling Back the Curtain

I recommend doing the reading before you do the interview.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Don't wait until the last minute to find an interview subject (so you have time to set up an interview time) or to start the uploading process.

Looking forward to hearing your pieces,
-Jeff

Welcome to the 'Slice' Class

This is the class blog for Journalism 628G. Class information and student work will live here.