Author: laurenfoley

Combining what we’ve learned

Accessibility

It’s important to take accessibility into consideration when creating a piece of media so that all the material is equally easy to take in regardless of any disabilities or difficulties. Regardless of whether providing such accommodations requires extra work, it is important that there is not a divide between people who can take in the information and those who can’t. For this website, I used alternate text for images to help those with visual disabilities understand the significance of each picture without having to see exactly what’s happening in the picture. I also did the best I could to use contrasting colors to make text more easily viewed, although all of my pictures were from before color photography and therefore do not contrast well. Thirdly, I used different headers to denote different section of the text so that those with screen-readers could easily orient themselves in the text and skip to where they want to read from; I even tried using headers when including the times on the transcript, so that if someone wanted to skip ahead to minute 3, they would be able to. Lastly, I included a transcript, as mentioned before, with times included, so that those who have auditory disabilities would be able to take in my content as well as a hearing person would.

Media/source credit

When using media from outside sources, it is important to credit the creators appropriately for their work for multiple reasons; firstly, because in doing so you protect yourself from potential lawsuits cause by “stealing” the media without credit, and secondly, because as someone else’s intellectual property, it’s the right thing to do. For my project, I sourced all the music used from Mixkit, all my information from the following websites: Biography.com, History.com, Encyclopedia Britannica, and All That’s Interesting, and my pictures from the following: Wikimedia Commons, which is a website that makes public domain content available, and Wikipedia . Every piece of media I used is sourced and linked on the post for the episode it’s used in, with as much credit given as I was able to find.

Information accuracy

Misinformation has great power in terms of swaying people’s beliefs and feelings about a subject, which is why it is so important to ensure accuracy when sharing information. Although intentional misinformation, such as clickbait or ragebait, to gather more viewers is a common practice on the internet (which, interestingly enough, is related to some of the material I talk about in episode 2), I have done my best to remain as accurate as possible to history so as to provide the best portrayal I can.

Copyright

I chose to copyright my website as CC BY-NC 4.0, which breaks down as follows: CC indicating that my work falls under a Creative Commons license, BY indicating that those who use my work must attribute it to me, and NC indicating that it may only be used for non-commercial purposes. I chose to use this license because it doesn’t bother me that others may use my work or remix it to make their own works; the only important things to me are that a) I get credited for any work they use that I created, and b) they don’t make money off of work that I made for free. As such, this copyright designation works perfectly for my purposes.

AI

I used Microsoft Copilot to create an outline for each script, then did research to fill in the information for each topic it gave me. I also used AI to brainstorm ideas for the podcast name before deciding on “The Dark and the Dangerous”.

The project

Process

I started by deciding on a name for my podcast and creating the website using WordPress. I then used Microsoft Copilot to create an outline for each episode, and did research on each killer to flesh out the outline. I recorded using the same equipment I used for the last audio project, the Voice Memos application on my iPhone 12 Pro. After recording, I entered the audio into Soundtrap to edit and add music, which I got from Mixkit. After editing, I was able to create a post for each episode and embed the audio file. I then used Canva to create a favicon and header image for the website. After entering the images, I went back and personalized the website more, adding different pages and features and getting rid of any that didn’t have anything to do with the podcast. I tried to change the image behind the title of each page, but I could’t find where I was able to do that. I even went into the code of the website and tried to change it there, but although it would change while I remained on the page, the second I left it would revert back to the original and was unable to save. However, I changed everything else that I could.

Link

Here’s the link to my project: The Dark and the Dangerous.

Media project

The story

Tying the media in

The process

Credits

Spreadsheet

Chart

Dataset

The trend

The process

The video

The inspiration

I chose to base my project on this topic because I feel that it is an issue that many college students struggle with, especially those who are just transitioning from high school education. I struggle with studying myself, so creating this video was also beneficial for me. More information on this topic can be found here: Study Tips, Pomodoro Technique, and What is a mind map?. I was unable to use my audio project in this video because the footage I was able to get would have mostly been recorded by someone else, as the season has now ended, and what I was able to record didn’t mesh or tell a story.

Credits

The music used in this project was Hazy After Hours, created by Alejandro Magana, Mixkit. The mind map graphic was taken from Mural.co, author unknown. The resources I used for this project were from Rose Compass International and Todoist (linked above as Study Tips and Pomodoro Technique, respectively).

The process

I chose to use my iPhone 12 Pro to record, along with a tripod I already owned. Since most of my recording was done in one room, I thought that the basic materials would suffice, since I wasn’t planning on doing anything complicated. I used Soundtrap to edit the audio for my video, since I used it on the last project and felt very comfortable with it. I used iMovie to edit the video itself, since I own a Macbook and it is installed automatically. I’ve had some experience with iMovie in the past, so I also felt more comfortable using it than I would have with a different software. I chose to publish my video on Youtube because I’ve published videos for classes there in the past, so I was knowledgeable about the process and already had an account set up.

Shot List

Test recording

The equipment

I chose to use my iPhone 12 Pro and a tripod I already own for this project, as they were the most accessible and of acceptable quality. Since I don’t plan to shoot in many different locations, I felt that this equipment would work best for me.

The vision

I plan to shoot footage of myself utilizing various study tips, including close-up video of the techniques being used. The purpose of my project is to provide a kind of how-to for studying, or to give ideas about different techniques to try. My visual content will achieve this purpose by demonstrating the techniques and showing examples.

The format

For my final project, I will be creating a new subdomain for a podcast series. Within this subdomain, I will create 3 episodes, which will all be accessible and include podcast transcripts.

The topic

I’m a really big fan of anything true crime, including documentaries, podcasts, and my all time favorite T.V. show, Criminal Minds. As such, I’m going to lean into this interest and make my podcast about various serial killers, talking about the history of their lives and actions, and I might even dive into the psychology behind their mindset.

Final product

Transcript

[Intro Music Fades In]

LF: Welcome back, sports fans, to another episode of ‘Eagle Eye on Sports’! I’m your host, Lauren Foley, and today we’re diving into the exciting season of the University of Mary Washington’s 2024 volleyball team. Let’s get into it!

[Sound Effect: Whistle Blows]

LF: The UMW Eagles have had a rollercoaster of a season this year. With an overall record of 14-17, the team has shown resilience and determination on the court. They kicked off their season with a strong win against Kean University, taking the match 3-1. However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. They faced tough losses, including a 0-3 defeat against Virginia Wesleyan University early in the season

[Sound Effect: Game Commentator]

LF: One of the standout moments was their performance at the UMW Invitational. The Eagles soared high with a 3-1 victory over the University of Lynchburg, showcasing their skill and teamwork. Despite a tough loss to Gettysburg College, the team bounced back with a solid win against Virginia Union University, sweeping them 3-0

[Sound Effect: Players Shouting]

LF: Key players like Chloe Crosen and Emily Flamm have been instrumental in the team’s performance. Their leadership and on-court prowess have been a driving force for the Eagles. The coaching staff, led by Emma Rohde, has also played a crucial role in developing the team’s strategy and resilience.

[Sound Effect: Buzzer Going Off]

LF: As the season progressed, the Eagles faced fierce competition in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. They put up a valiant fight but were ultimately edged out in the semifinals against Salisbury UniversityDespite the ups and downs, the team’s spirit and dedication have been truly inspiring.

[Outro Music Fades In]

LF: That’s all for today’s episode of ‘Eagle Eye on Sports.’ Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to follow us for more updates on your favorite UMW teams.

The process

The equipment I used to record was the Voice Memo application on my iPhone 12 Pro, and I used the website SoundTrap to edit my project. I used AI (Microsoft Copilot) to create both the image at the top of this post, and the outline and script for my project, with some edits.

Attributions

The source: UMW volleyball

More information about this team can be found on their website or on their instagram. They finished 4th in the Coast to Coast conference, and the various accolades they received can be found here.

Other media

All music and sound effects were downloaded from Mixkit, with the exception of two sound effects recorded during UMW volleyball games. The Mixkit sounds are attributed below:

Intro/Outro music – Sports Highlights by Ahjay Stelino

Whistle blowing – Police short whistle

Buzzer – Basketball buzzer

Background music 1 – Valley Sunset by Alejandro Magaña (A. M.)

Background music 2 – Romantic 05 by Lily J

Background music 3 – Feel Alive by Michael Ramir C.

Background music 4 – Driving Ambition by Ahjay Stelino

Choosing a topic

The topic I chose to talk about is the UMW volleyball team’s 2024 season, which just ended. As a member of the team, this topic is something that I’m particularly passionate about, and is something I know a lot about, since I’ve been there for all of it. The team faced a lot of challenges this year with the introduction of a new head coach and the loss of most of the starting lineup, and fell in the semifinal match at the conference championship last weekend.

Selecting equipment

I chose to use the voice memo app on my iPhone, as that is the recording device that is most easily accessible to me and when I made my sample recording, the quality sounded up to standard. There are some sound effects that I will most likely have to find elsewhere, since I couldn’t record during practice or a game.

Sample audio

Creating an outline

I used Microsoft Copilot to help with writing my outline, as it was difficult for me to try to write something like this from scratch. I took the original outline it gave me and made some changes based on my knowledge of our season and my ideas for how I wanted the final product to sound.

Here is the prompt I gave it:

write a detailed outline for a two-minute audio story about the University of Mary Washington 2024 volleyball team

Outline script

Detailed Outline for a Two-Minute Audio Story on the University of Mary Washington 2024 Volleyball Team

1. Introduction (10 seconds)

• Opening Music: Energetic and upbeat.
• Host Introduction: “Welcome to ‘Eagle Eye on Sports,’ your go-to podcast for all things UMW athletics. I’m your host, Lauren Foley, and today we’re spotlighting the University of Mary Washington’s 2024 volleyball team.”

2. Season Overview (20 seconds)

• Brief Recap: “The Eagles had a season filled with highs and lows, ending with a 14-17 record.”
• Key Matches: Highlight the opening win against Kean University and the tough loss to Virginia Wesleyan University.
• Sound effects: volleyball being hit

3. Highlighted Performances (30 seconds)

• UMW Invitational: “One of the season’s highlights was the UMW Invitational, where the Eagles secured a 3-1 victory over the University of Lynchburg.”
• Key Players: Mention standout players like Chloe Crosen and Emily Flamm, emphasizing their contributions and leadership.
• Sound effects: applause

4. Challenges and Resilience (20 seconds)

• Tough Matches: Discuss the challenging matches, including the loss to Gettysburg College.
• Comeback Wins: Highlight the team’s resilience with a 3-0 sweep against Virginia Union University.
• Sound effects: players shouting

5. Conference Tournament (20 seconds)

• Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference: “The Eagles fought hard in the conference tournament but were edged out in the semifinals by Salisbury University.”
• Team Spirit: Emphasize the team’s dedication and spirit throughout the season.
• sound effects: crowd cheering

6. Looking Ahead (10 seconds)

• Future Prospects: “With a strong foundation and promising talent, the future looks bright for UMW volleyball.”
• Closing Remarks: “We can’t wait to see what the Eagles achieve next season!”
• sound effects: whistle blowing

7. Conclusion (10 seconds)

• Outro Music: Fade in uplifting music.
• Host Sign-Off: “Thanks for tuning in to ‘Eagle Eye on Sports.’ Stay updated with all your favorite UMW teams by following us. Until next time, keep cheering for the Eagles!”

My designs: what they are and how I created them

Choosing the design

For the favicon, the image I chose to use is a circle surrounding my initials. I wanted the website icon to be something ambiguous, so that I could continue to use the same icon if I choose to repurpose the website in the future, but attributable enough to me that it could be easily associated with my name.

For the website header, the image I chose to use includes the name of my website, surrounded by different geometric elements. I chose to use a similar color scheme to the rest of my website, in order to create continuity. I chose to incorporate the geometric elements purely for the aesthetic value, although I also associate the geometric shapes with digital art and the internet, so there is some congruency there as well.

Creating the design

I created both images using Vectr, which is a free graphics editor, although the use of some features requires purchase. I first set my project to the desired pixel dimensions, before adding in the various elements I wanted to include, while experimenting with different colors and effects.

Choosing a file type

The file type I chose to use was .png, because it displays graphic designs better than .jpg, its counterpart, which is better suited for photographs. This file type helped to make my images clearer and improve the resolution.

Copyright on the web

Copyright: what is it, and why is it necessary?

Copyright can be defined as “the legal protection that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution”. This means that when someone creates material, they automatically own the rights to it just by virtue of its creation; however, in order to take legal action over unauthorized use of the content, the work must be filed with the US Copyright Office. Copyright is important because it not only protects someone’s work from being stolen and inaccurately portrayed as someone else’s, but also prevents others from using the work in ways that the creator did not consent to and does not agree with.

The use of copyright on my site

For all of the content I create on my website, I chose to use the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC 4.0, which means that others using my work must give credit to me, as the creator, and that my work can only be used non-commercially. I chose to use this license because I felt that it was important to receive credit for my ideas, and that the use of my ideas for commercial gain was unfair.

Ethical collaboration: the sharing of ideas

Why is attribution important?

Properly attributing others’ work and respecting their wishes in regards to its use and distribution is important to take into consideration when using the internet, for multiple reasons. The first of these is avoiding the legal action that could come with improper use of someone else’s work. However, it is also important to take into account the creator’s intentions when using their work, as it is their intellectual property. By creating something, they automatically have ownership over that content, and therefore have a say in how or why it is used.

How to properly attribute content

If the creator supplies the method by which they would like to be attributed, then the obvious solution is to follow their guidelines. However, if they do not, there are other ways of crediting work. The first of which is naming the creator and supplying a link to their website or other internet presence. If the creator is unknown, then simply state that and provide a link to where the content was found. In addition, if the material used another original work, include both sources to properly credit both creators.