A rapidly-changing media landscape is opening up new digital frontiers for academics to get their research out to key audiences, including policymakers. As the reach and impact of conventional and traditional media declines due to digital disruption, new media is rapidly evolving. In the academic space, reaching key audiences means engaging with them in the many places that they now get their news, views and analysis. ANU is a pioneer and leader in online academic blogs – which have become a key platform to achieve this.

In this internship-based practicum course, students will learn to be Editors on these online platforms. This highly practical course will teach students how to edit other people’s work, the business challenges of running an online platform, how to design and implement social media and audience engagement strategies, and how to measure impact and reach. It will also equip students with skills to create a range of media for use on these platforms, including audio podcasts.

The course will be based around a series of workshops, combined with each student undertaking a placement at one of The Australian National University’s leading blog sites. Students will be expected to complete an internship of 70 hours (1 day each week across ten weeks), as well as attend the course’s workshops and seminars and complete the assessment items.

This course is designed for students who are willing to bring along their energy, creativity and enthusiasm for learning new skills. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate skills in identifying, commissioning and editing content for an academic blog;
2. Manage blog contributors, for example through negotiating edits, finalising content, finding appropriate imagery and producing supporting social media.
3. Devise and plan a podcast series and create and produce an individual episode. 
4. Demonstrate an awareness of and understanding of the business aspects of editing and running a blog, including legal issues
5. Develop and implement a strategy for increasing readership of an academic blog, and analyse and evaluate results.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

A practicum is a course where students learn specific high-level skills that enable them to undertake particular roles. They then apply these skills in an internship. These skills are clearly defined and in high demand in the workforce. The Editor's Practicum is one of two such courses offered by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific. The other is the Asia-Pacific Week Internship Course (ASIA3023). These courses give students workplace experience at a high level and a clearly defined set of skills that significantly increase their employability and open the door of opportunity for them.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	SEMINAR 1: Kick off (2 hours) Topics: - about academic blogging at ANU - About ANU blogs - Being an editor - Expectations - Editing skills - how to pitch
2	SEMINAR 2: Op-eds and editing (2 hours) Topics: - how to op-ed - Editing skills 2 Monsoon pitch	Assessment item 1 (editing test) due back
3	HALF-DAY WORKSHOP: Interviewing and podcasting (4 hours) Topics: - Interview skills - creating and producing podcasts - introduction to Audacity Monsoon pitch update
4	SEMINAR 3: Managing contributors (1 hour) Topics: - identifying content and authors - managing the editing process - relationship building for blogs Podcast idea pitch	Reflective journal 1 due
5	SEMINAR 4: It's the law (1 hour) Topics: - legal issues around academic blogging - using photos and multimedia Monsoon pitch
6	SEMINAR 5: Be social (1 hour) Topics: - using social media for blogs - how and when to engage online Monsoon pitch update	Piece for publication assessment due
7	SEMINAR 6: Setting strategy Topics: - identifying strengths and weaknesses - devising strategy to address issues	Reflective journal 2 due
8	SEMINAR 7: Podcast production (1 hour) Topics: - finding and organising guests - preparing for interviews - crafting a narrative - scriptwriting and delivery Monsoon pitch
9	SEMINAR 8: Audiences and audience engagement Topics: - using metrics to inform blog choices - comments and comment policies	Audience strategy assessment item due
10	SEMINAR 9: Editing with Audacity	Reflective journal 3 due
11	WORKSHOP 2: Podcast projects Topic: - hands-on editing of podcast projects	Podcast project due
12	DISCUSSION: Reflections on learning

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Editing test	10 %	11/03/2019	18/03/2019	1
Reflective journal	7 %	18/03/2019	31/05/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Article for publication on Monsoon	20 %	01/04/2019	31/05/2019	1, 2
Reflective journal 2	7 %	23/04/2019	31/05/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Strategy	20 %	20/05/2019	31/05/2019	4, 5
Reflective journal 3	6 %	13/05/2019	31/05/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Create a podcast	30 %	24/05/2019	04/07/2019	2, 3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Editing test

Demonstrate the ability to edit a written oped and prepare a publication for an academic blog.

Students will be assessed on piece's grammar, spelling, structure, use of language, succinctness, expression of ideas, and making it readable for a broad audience.

Students will be given feedback via written comments.

Assessment Task 2

Reflective journal

Write a reflective journal on: The process and challenges of managing an academic blog (maximum 500 words)

Assessment Task 3

Article for publication on Monsoon

Identify, commission, edit and prepare for publication an oped for Monsoon that explores a topical issue related to the Asia-Pacific region. Word count 500-1000 words.

Students should submit the following:

• Commissioning email
• First edit (with track changes showing)
• Final piece as agreed with author

Content will be assessed based on editing clarity, succinctness, the appropriateness of the subject matter, its ability to engage an audience, and spelling and grammar.

Assessment Task 4

Reflective journal 2

Reflective journal looking at legal issues around academic blogging (maximum 500 words).

Assessment Task 5

Strategy

Write a strategy for developing, promoting and enhancing an aspect of The Monsoon Project (maximum 1000 words).

Assessment Task 6

Reflective journal 3

Reflective journal looking at the student's skills and skill development over the duration of the course (maximum 500 words).

Assessment Task 7

Create a podcast

Students must create a podcast (audio only) for publication on the Monsoon project.

The creation of this podcast will include:

- Identifying a topic of interest to Monsoon's audience

- Identifying, approaching, and interviewing a guest / guests

- Recording all elements including interviews

- Editing podcast using appropriate software.

- Finalising podcast for publication.

Technical requirements:

- Podcast to be no less than 10 minutes long, and no longer than 30 minutes

- Must include a minimum of two interviewees / experts.

- Must adhere to podcast series style, which will be explained and made available in class… 

- Must be finalised as a high-quality MP3 file.

Tutorials about how to go through this process, including learning technical aspects, will occur throughout the course.

Note: Students must suggest their own topic and it must be approved by course convenor

Students will be assessed on:

- Whether the podcast adhered to all technical requirements.

- The technical quality of their podcast

- The presentation of the ideas contained in it.

- How engaging the podcast was.

- How appropriate it was for Monsoon's audience.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students