The meeting discussed the structure and expectations of an online Journalism 250 class, covering topics such as visual communication, AI usage, and course assignments. Stacy, the instructor, outlined the asynchronous nature of the class, weekly deadlines, grading policies, and the importance of original work and academic integrity. The discussion also included clarifications on attendance, extra credit opportunities, and the final in-person exam, as well as the use of various platforms like Canvas, Discord, and Zoom for class communication and engagement.

- Students to read the syllabus.
- Students to complete the logo assignment.
- Students to create accounts on AI platforms (e.g. Bing, ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Dall-E).
- Students to join the class Discord channel.
- Students to watch the recorded lecture for next week when it becomes available on Monday.
- Stacy to post the Discord link on Canvas.
- Stacy to publish the class calendar on Canvas.
- Students to clear their schedules for the in-person final on May 12th.
- Students to familiarize themselves with Canva or Adobe Express for graphic design assignments.

Summary

Online Classes: Pros and Cons

Stacy led a discussion about the pros and cons of online classes, particularly in the context of Journalism 250. The participants shared their experiences, with some expressing a preference for in-person classes due to the lack of interaction and distractions at home. Stacy acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the importance of engagement in the class. She also hinted at a different approach to the class. The discussion was lively, with participants sharing their personal experiences and preferences.

Visual Communication and AI in Media

Stacy discussed the importance of visual communication, its psychological and cultural aspects, and its role in media and journalism. She also touched on the impact of AI on visual communication, highlighting its limitations in understanding human anatomy and its potential misuse in campaign visuals. Stacy emphasized the importance of understanding AI for informed opinions and introduced an assignment where students would create their own logos to explore visual communication theory. She also shared the course syllabus, which includes topics such as semiotics, Gestalt theory, persuasion, and typography. The course structure was also discussed, with assignments and quizzes to be determined later.

Asynchronous Class Structure and Assignments

Stacy outlined the structure of the upcoming class, emphasizing that it would be asynchronous, with weekly content uploaded to Canvas every Monday at 4 pm. This would include a recorded lecture, readings, discussions, and assignments, all due by the end of the week. Stacy also mentioned that she would incorporate current events related to visual communication into the lectures. She clarified that assignments could be in the form of written work or graphic design, but they should be submitted as a Word or PDF file.

Semester Structure, Expectations, and Consequences

Stacy discussed the structure and expectations of the upcoming semester. She emphasized that the course would involve short weekly quizzes, with no big exams or papers, and that late submissions would incur a 10% deduction. She also mentioned that attendance would be based on participation, not physical presence. Stacy discouraged the use of incompletes, stating that they set students up for failure. She also mentioned the availability of extra credit opportunities and the importance of utilizing college resources. Lastly, she warned against cheating, including the use of AI, and emphasized that such actions would lead to severe consequences.

AI Usage and Original Work Importance

Stacy discussed the use of AI in the class, emphasizing the importance of crediting AI-generated work and not relying solely on it for assignments. She also stressed the value of original work, discouraging the use of graphics and content from the internet without significant modification. Stacy mentioned potential changes to the syllabus due to current events or other factors. She also shared a personal anecdote about sending a picture of a frog wearing a hat to students who failed to read the syllabus carefully, highlighting the importance of paying attention to detail.

Online Class Structure and Deadlines

Stacy clarified the structure of the online class, emphasizing that it is not entirely asynchronous but rather paced on a weekly basis with set deadlines. She reassured the students that they could complete assignments and quizzes at their own pace as long as they met the weekly deadlines. Stacy also addressed a student's confusion about the class schedule and confirmed that there would be more opportunities for extra credit. The class ended with a light-hearted discussion about a student's divorce and the possibility of a class field trip to collect animals.

In-Person Final Exam and Discord

Stacy discussed the upcoming in-person final exam for the class, scheduled for May 12. She emphasized that while students have the freedom to complete the course on their own time, they must attend the final exam in person. Stacy also encouraged students to create a Discord channel for the class and offered to join a Zoom meeting at 4 o'clock for any questions or discussions. She clarified that attendance at these meetings is not mandatory, but students can use them to discuss assignments or current events.

Grading System and Assignments Overview

Stacy clarified the grading system for the class, emphasizing that it's a 3-unit course with no pass/no credit option. She encouraged students to not fail the class, as it's a prerequisite for other courses. Stacy also introduced assignments for the week, including a logo assignment and creating accounts with AI platforms like Bing, Chat GPT, or Grammarly. She encouraged students to explore Canva and Adobe Express for visual communication assignments. Stacy also mentioned that lectures would start the following week and that office hours would be held on Mondays and Wednesdays. She provided the location of her office and encouraged students to visit if they needed assistance.

Discord, Zoom, and Extra Credit

In the meeting, Jeremiah asked about the purpose of the Discord platform for the class, to which Stacy explained it's for students to ask questions, discuss assignments, and share information about Canvas. She clarified that Zoom meetings are only mandatory once, and other interactions will be through Canvas and Discord. Stacy also addressed Noa's question about the account creation assignment, confirming that it's just about creating an account and sending a confirmation. Lastly, iPhone asked about the possibility of earning extra credit for hitting the meanest trade flip throughout the semester, to which Stacy agreed. The conversation ended with Stacy encouraging the participants to stay tuned for the next contact.

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