Throughout the course I have learned a lot about digital media and gained valuable skills that I can apply in the rapidly growing world of the computer-age. This class has provided us with important theories and techniques to properly analyze, produce, and share digital information with the use of information communication technologies (ICTs). The three main take-aways that I value most and consider to be the most memorable are: creating a website, creating a YouTube video and channel, and concluding the course with the final project. However, If I could expand on that I would emphasize how rewarding it was to promote a real non-profit organization and connect with my target audience of Rutgers University students.
Prior to this class, I had never created a website. Although I didn’t code the website myself, I found the overall experience of designing, maintaining and applying different forms of media to the site, very rewarding. Now, I can proudly say I’ve built my own WordPress website, and have the knowledge and skill obtained from this course to do it again. Furthermore, it was very satisfying that my target audience for this website and my overall topic was none other than students here ate Rutgers.
The other key take-away was creating a YouTube video. It was an amazing learning experience to be able to use screen-recording technologies (Screencast-O-Matic), to record video, and audio. Also, creating the YouTube channel was an undertaking that will definitely benefit me when I decide to create my own channel. This was a cool experience because we were able to edit and design the channel around our website, with the same logos/images, etc.
Last, but certainty not least, the final project was the highlight of the course. This project composed of various assignments was very rewarding and educational because as a group we learned valuable skills that can be applied to real jobs, or personal projects outside the classroom. Working as a group had its ups and downs, but overall, we learned to collaborate and count on each other to accomplish the final task. Some of the soft skills I learned from this project was virtual team dynamics: remote communication, collaboration, and team leadership. On the other hand, the technical skills I learned from creating the PSA and podcast was recording, editing, and sharing audio.
This course has taught me many valuable soft and more importantly technical skills that I plan to use for my own personal projects. This will not be the last website, blog post, YouTube video, and podcast that I will create, but I’m happy this class served a great starting point.
Money-Grow 