Portfolio Video

Use Snagit and Adobe RUSH to create a video that reflects on your projects and learning in the course.  The video should capture interesting aspects of the projects and tell a story about learning and composing. The video is also likely to speak to aspects of internet culture and argument. Note, that you do not need to discuss every aspect of every project or even every project; please discuss at least two of your projects.

The video should use narration to tell a story linked with your thinking and composing processes. You can think of the story elements flexibly. You need not develop some kind of tall tale; rather use the narration to guide viewers through your projects and toward some larger message that can be linked to your work in the class. 

It's highly likely that this larger message will be relate to aspects of internet argument, composing, or media. Think of the concerns we have taken up so far. Start by thinking about your projects and composing process, and then identifying an aspect of culture, communication, literacy, or media.

Also, identify an aspect of learning that you associate with the project. Reflect on your experience and try to generate an idea about what you gained from the project that is most significant or interesting. Capture this idea in a concept or statement related to learning. For this aspect, consider some of the aims in the portfolio assignment

Once you have an aspect of culture, composing, or internet argument in mind and an aspect of learning, you can begin to put together the story. The story will be about the projects, using narration to show your process and details about the compositions. Look for opportunities to link those details with larger observations about the aspects of communication and learning you have identified.

Here is a reflection on a video poem that gives some insight into what these videos can be like

For your video, think about how you might capture the processes associated with composing. Perhaps you have old drafts that you can screen record. You can also film yourself making edits. You can play through aspects of the projects, showing software moves or zooming in on materials. Strive to make the visuals interesting, editing in scenes from the projects. 

Strive as well to make the narration compelling. Your first step is to create a storyboard. As you compose the storyboard, focus on picking out compelling visuals. Sketch out interesting points to make, and then forecast how long each segment will be. Remember to plan to keep things moving in terms of pace.

You can use an alternative format if you prefer; otherwise, use this template to get started.

The storyboard is due before class on Monday, November 18th. Submit it with the  Storyboard option.

After you have a solid storyboard, you will need to develop a script for the narration. You can compose in the same file as your storyboard or just create a new document. The script should do all the work required to tell about the projects while making interesting points about composing, internet argument, and learning. You will also want to be economical with your prose to keep things moving. Hone in right away on key points and edit heavily to tighten up the language, keeping things active and not overly formal.

Here are some more examples: