Blog 27: Senior Project Reflection

1. Positive Statement
What are you most proud of in your 2-Hour Presentation and/or your senior project? Why?        -The thing I am most proud of for my 2-Hour Presentation would be the fact that I got plenty of compliments on my activities. Knowing that the activities were engaging and interactive enough for my audience was a big relief. Also, just knowing that the audience enjoyed and got the connection between my answers and activities was really nice.
2. Questions to Consider
a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your 2-Hour Presentation (self-assessment)? Why?        -I would give myself an AE because my presentation was very well thought out. I planned my groups to be publications and that tied into my activities and answers. I also demonstrated plenty of research and evidence, as well as a clear connection for the audience. I also added personal touches to my presentation such as the Press Passes that my audience received as part of my presentation. I think the small details like that made my presentation stand apart.
b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)? Why?        -Overall I would give myself somewhere between a P and an AE. I think throughout the year I have demonstrated work worth a P or higher consistently be it in science fair, research, or my presentations. Although there were one or two assignments in which I received an AP, I believe that the highlights of the year outweigh the very minimal amount of low points. 
3. What worked for you in your senior project?
        -For my senior project, my service learning worked because it gave me plenty of experience seeing journalism in action. My presentations also worked for me as I demonstrated extensive research and knowledge on my topic.
4. What didn’t work for you in your senior project?        -During the senior project, the Three Column Chart really did not work for me. Although some students succeeded in it, I found it very difficult and felt extremely lost and confused on the requirements needed and the end goal of the Three Column Chart. It honestly did not help me in anyway, but I believe that has to do with the fact that I tend to be better in the arts and humanities.
5. Finding ValueHow has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.         -The senior project, although extensive and stressful, has proven to be very useful. Next year I plan to be part of Whittier College's student newspaper, and thanks to my senior project I will have already had experience working at a student newspaper due to my service learning. It also opened my eyes to journalism and my dream of ultimately working for a publication. 

Blog 26: 2-Hour Presentation

Here is the link to my 2-Hour presentation plan: 


My 2-Hour Presentation Plan

Blog 25: Service Learning

1. LIA Response to blog:

    Literal

·     Jocabehd's Service Learning Log

·       Contact: Cecily Arambula (cecilyarambula@gmail.com)

      The Poly Post Editorial Office: (909) 869-3530

    Interpretive

     Perhaps the most important thing I have learned from my experience while service learning has been that journalism is always changing. While there I learned a lot about how journalism now requires video and copy. Recently, The Poly Post incorporated a "Weekend Update" segment to their website. Also, their website has been redone in recent months. My service learning mentor taught me a lot about how now, journalism majors are required to not only know how to write, but also work cameras, edit, and take photos and videos alike, since technology is ever changing constantly. The Poly Post had to have some changes done in order to keep with the changing world of technology. This is perhaps the most important because I could not have learned it as well as I did from simply reading articles or books. Being able to see it before my eyes was possibly, the greatest piece of research.  

   Applied

     My experience of service learning working at The Poly Post during the past few months has tremendously helped me answer my essential question. The Poly Post is really the place where journalism majors at Cal Poly Pomona are molded before they go onto real jobs in the industry. This was the same for me. My internship there helped me learn about ethics, technology, and new techniques in journalism. While there, I got the idea to create my project based on mainly ethics in journalism. This focus on ethics, as well as the guidance of my service learning mentor, Editor-in-Chief Cecily Arambula, I was able to see my project with new light. From there, she guided me through my answers including knowing your audience. This one in particular came to me because while at service learning, the editors are always trying to keep the content fresh and interesting for their readers. Even when designing the front page of the weekly newspaper, they always keep the students of Cal Poly in mind and what they will be interested in knowing each week .While I was there, I had access to many journalism books that helped me in the answering of my essential question, such as photojournalism books and books on AP Style writing. 

Blog 24: Independent Component 2

My Independent 2 has been a continuation of my first Independent Component: Yearbook.

Literal

(a) “I, Jocabehd Lobos, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.” 

(b) For my Independent Component 2, I have been in iPoly's yearbook elective working as an Assistant Photo Editor taking photos and writing copy for spreads.

Interpretive

My Independent Component demonstrates 30+ hours of work because being in elective class twice a week for 1.5 hours plus weekly editor meetings add up to that. On top of that, going to events like Pep Rallies to take photographs adds to that time so I can take photos. The significant parts of my component have definitely been taking photographs for the yearbook that will then be published in the yearbook come May.

Applied
My Independent Component 2 has helped me answer my EQ because it has given me a feel for what it is like for a journalist; working through deadlines and working with a large staff. It has also helped me answer EQ because I have improved my interviewing skills, which are pivotal to being a successful journalist.

Link to my Log: Independent Component #2 Log

Blog 23: Helping 2013

Who did you interview: Leslie Lopez

What day and time: Friday, April 20 at 11:30AM

1. What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

• Something related to Horror Films.
• My feedback included saying that when choosing a senior project, you really should think about the whole picture and making sure the topic would work with all of the components that are included such as Service Learning.

2. What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting?  Note: They also have to complete the 50 hours during the school year.

• She plans on finding an internship at a place such as Universal Studios.
• My feedback was that she should think of a couple other places as back-ups just in case her first plan didn't work out. I also advised her to start contacting a wide range of places as soon as possible since she hasn't done so as of yet.

3. What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

• She stated that she wanted to "actually learn something" about each topic and each project.
• I told her to be patient with all of the presentations as it can be exhausting to go through two straight weeks of presentations as a viewer. I told her of my experience as a junior last year and how I observed how by the second week, many of my classmates grew tired of presentations. However, I told her how now, as a senior, I have grown to appreciate the senior project presentations as I now know the pressure and hard work that goes into it. 

4. What questions do they have about senior project?  What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project?  Be specific and note what you told them.

• She asked many questions including: 
• How will I be prepared for presenting my 2-Hour?
• My answer: There are several presentations beforehand throughout the year such as the 5 and 20 minute to help with stage nerves and preparation.
• What has been the most difficult?
• My response: Finding service learning, since many places can't or are not willing to allow a minor in their business/company. 
• What additional recommendations did you give them?
• My recommendations were to get started on her service learning ASAP and rake up as many hours as possible! I told her of my experience of having trouble finding a place that was willing and the difficulty of finding time in my schedule to complete my service learning. 

Who did you interview: Jared Gonzales

What day and time: Thursday, April 26 at 11:00AM

1. What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

• He said he was interested in making his topic based on policing or army related things. He's always been interested in those topics and wants to pursue a career in either the field of policing or military. 
• My feedback was that something of that nature would be good when coming up with activities for presentations. 

2. What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting?  Note: They also have to complete the 50 hours during the school year.

• He is looking forward to working as an intern at a police station.
• My feedback was to start asking places as soon as possible, since many places have a set number of required hours. 

3. What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

• He said that he thought the class of 2012 would produce good presentations.
• My feedback was to be patient with the class of 2012 and to be prepared for the repetitive nature of the 2-hour presentations, particularly during the second week. 

(4) What questions do they have about senior project?  What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project?  Be specific and note what you told them.

• He only had one question and it was "Is it worth it to stay at i-Poly for senior year?"
• I responded by saying that it was definitely worth it because although it is a tremendous amount of work, it is definitely possible to overcome. Also, I told him of my service learning experience as an intern at a newspaper and the countless other things I've learned thanks to my senior project that I wouldn't have learned had I gone somewhere else for my senior year. 

Blog: Answers

The following are my current answers for my essential question as of: April 13,2012.

1) Strive for Accuracy and Fairness
    A journalist shall provide information that is verifiable and that is free of fabrication. A journalist shall neither add nor omit material which would distort or change the meaning of a story or photograph.
2) Be Accountable
    A journalist should remain accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers, and each other. They must admit their mistakes and correct them promptly. At the same time, they shall abide by the same high standard to which they hold each other.
3) Be Independent and Transparent
     Journalistic independence can be damaged by accepting free gifts of any kinds. A journalist shall avoid conflicts of interest and should always identify themselves as a journalist when on any assignment.
4) Respect Diversity
    A journalist should always strive for fairness and balance when on the job by looking into all sides of every issue and presenting all relevant viewpoints. A journalist must treat all sources in professional and respectful manner, not overlooking the weak in favor of the rich and powerful.

Blog 22: Answer #3

• Essential Question: What is most important to success in journalism?
• Answer 3: One of the most important factors to success in journalism is the ability to be independent and transparent. 
• Some components of my answer include: 
• Journalistic independence can be damaged by accepting free gifts of any kinds.
• Avoid conflicts of interest.
• Always identify yourself as a journalist when on assignment.
• Any scene dramatized should be clearly stated. 
• Evidence:
• Example 1: While reading The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach & Rob Rosensteil, I came across a section that discussed the purpose of journalism, to provide information for the public, so they can make decisions and self-govern. In order to fulfill this and thus, be successful in journalism, remaining independent and neutral.
• Example 2: According to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, one of the cornerstones is to Be Accountable, which is broken down into avoiding any contact/ties with outside sources or publications. An example of this would be to be receiving outside gifts or compensation from a company or publication to publish/report a story that will be waived in said company/publications favor for whatever reason. This, as explained in the Code of Ethics, leads to lack of accountability to the bribed journalist.
• Example 3: While speaking with my service learning mentor, she spoke to me about what journalists' job is. She said journalists are responsible for "being the voice to the voiceless". In order to do that, she said, they must do they toughest thing, be neutral. She gave me an ethical case study known as the picture with the vulture in Africa. The photojournalist there was covering a story there and took a photo of a malnourished African toddler who had collapsed while a vulture looked on and was about to hunt. The photo was legendary and sparked huge controversy in the journalism world. Although being neutral is ethical, many discuss the extent of it. 
• Source:
• The Elements of Journalism by Bob Kovach & Rob Rosensteil
• Personal Interview with Cecily Arambula, EIC of Poly Post
• Concordia University Code of Ethics