After a brief holiday layoff, The Convergence Newsletter returns for 2008 with the first in an ongoing series of theme-oriented editions. In the interest of bringing greater cohesion to the newsletter, we will be organizing upcoming issues around their own (more or less) unifying motif.
This month's topic is broadcasting. How are broadcasters fitting into the world of convergence? How about those whose job it is to teach broadcast journalism?
As always, we hope you'll take advantage of the commenting feature on this blog to give us and our contributors your reactions to this month's articles.
Click here to read February's issue of The Convergence Newsletter.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
Thursday, February 14, 2008
February 2008 Issue Now Available
February 2008: The Problem with Broadcast News on the Web
While it's true that many TV networks are making the most of the Web to offer interactive, multimedia content for their audiences, not all are.
For our February issue, Sid Bedingfied draws upon his experiences as former head of CNN's U.S. network and current visiting professor at the University of South Carolina in examining how some TV entities -- notably, local affiliates -- are falling woefully behind in the push toward rich online content.
Read the full article here.
You can comment on this article by using the comments link below.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
February 2008: NPR: Not your Parents' Radio
We would be wise not to exclude the radio industry from a discussion on how broadcasters are (or aren't) adapting to the new media landscape.
Count National Public Radio among those who aren't just adapting, but leading the way. This month, we talk with Maria Thomas, NPR's senior vice president of digital media, about what's happening in their world.
Read part one of our interview with Thomas here. Check back next month for part two.
You can comment on this interview by using the comments link below.
While NPR continues to embrace new technologies, some traditional radio stations are worrying customers will stop tuning in for over-the-air NPR content, and possibly stop donating to those listener-supported stations, as well. Randy Dotinga of The Christian Science Monitor explains.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
February 2008: Book Review -- "Advancing the Story: Broadcast Journalism in a Multimedia World”
One question that has weighed on the minds of many journalism educators recently is: "How can we give our students the tools they need to get by in the world of converged media?"
Authors Deb Wenger and Deborah Potter propose some answers in their new text "Advancing the Story: Broadcast Journalism in a Multimedia World.”
In his review, Dr. George Daniels of the University of Alabama gives the book high marks. Though the book is written from the perspective of former broadcast journalists, Dr. Daniels notes that both broadcast and newspaper educators are sure to find the text helpful.
Read the full review here.
You can comment on this article by using the comments link below.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
February 2008: Training
There is only one space still available at the Newsplex Summer Seminar 2008. Details here.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
December 2007 Issue Now Available
The final issue of The Convergence Newsletter for 2007 offers a glimpse into the past, present and future of convergence. From dial-up modems to blogs to oil, our contributors examine what has been, what is and what is yet to be in the world of convergence.
As promised, the December issue features more highlights from this past October's Convergence Conference at USC.
Please take advantage of the commenting feature on this blog to give us and our contributors your reactions to this month's articles.
Click here to read December's issue of The Convergence Newsletter.
As always, you can find recent and archived issues here.
December 2007: May I Have a Bandage Please?
A featured speaker at October's Convergence Conference, Dr. Jeff Wilkinson of China's United International College has more than 10 years' experience teaching convergence and helping his students put it into practice. For our December issue, Dr. Wilkinson has put together a decade's worth of insights.
Read the full article here.
You can comment on this article by using the comments link below.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
December 2007: Blogging for Learning
TCN executive editor Doug Fisher doesn't shy away from bringing new technologies into the classroom. In his article, adapted from a presentation at this past August's AEJMC conference in Washington, D.C., Fisher discusses how his students at USC use blogs to reinforce traditional skills and learn new ones.
Read the full article here.
You can comment on this article by using the comments link below.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
December 2007: Sustaining Journalism and Fractal Ecology
Another highlight of October's conference was Dr. Kevin Kemper's discussion raising questions about how media will have to adapt as oil becomes increasingly rare -- not to mention expensive -- in the years (or even months) to come. Dr. Kemper, of the University of Arizona, adapted his presentation for our December issue.
Read the full article here.
You can comment on this article by using the comments link below.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
December 2007: Training
Spaces are still available at the Newsplex Summer Seminar 2008. Details here.
Recent and archived issues of The Convergence Newsletter
Monday, November 12, 2007
November 2007 Issue Now Available
As recent posts on this blog have indicated, last month was a pretty noteworthy one for us here at The Convergence Newsletter. With USC hosting its annual Convergence Conference, we were able to rub elbows with some top researchers (and practitioners) in the field of convergent journalism, while also shamelessly soliciting them for submissions.
The November issue of The Convergence Newsletter bears some of the fruits of that effort.
We are happy to present the first in what (we hope) will be a long series of articles by this year's conference presenters, in which they summarize their presentations and even build a little upon them. For those who attended the conference last month, consider these adaptions valuable supplements to what you took away from the event. For those who weren't in Columbia, may these summaries entice you to consider attending next year's conference, where you'll have access to a host of research and insights of the kind we offer in TCN.
But first, you'll hear from USC's Doug Fisher, the new executive editor of TCN. He discusses some of the changes that will be coming to the newsletter, but stresses this point: You, the reader, are to be the ultimate decider of how we should operate moving forward. We hope you'll take advantage of the commenting feature on this blog, and our e-mail addresses listed in the newsletter, to give us some feedback.
Click here to read November's issue of The Convergence Newsletter.
As always, you can find recent and archived issues here.
November 2007: Beyond Definitions
Dr. Augie Grant has been around the convergence block a few times. As the chairman of the annual Convergence Conference (and former executive editor of The Convergence Newsletter, no less), he gets a pretty good look at what people are studying and talking about when it comes to convergence, and which direction things are headed in the industry and in academia.
For November's issue, Dr. Grant offers something of a "conference wrap up," and gives some perspectives on where this whole notion of convergence has been and where it may be going.
Read the full article here.
You can comment on this article by using the comments link below.
November 2007: Filling a Local Multimedia Void
Dr. Dennis Jeffers, of Central Michigan University, gave what was (at least in this humble editor's opinion) one of the more fascinating presentations as he discussed two newspapers that have taken advantage of a local television void by offering "newscasts" of their own on their Web sites. Could this be the future of local news coverage? Who needs a local network TV affiliate when you have a newspaper, a camera and a Web page?
Read Dr. Jeffers' article here.
You can comment on this article by using the comments link below.
November 2007: Teach Them TV
USC's own Harvie Nachlinger brought all of us convergence crazies back down to earth a bit with his presentation "Teach Them TV," in which he stressed that television news producers in most cases continue to do things the "old-fashioned" way, so we may not want to be too overzealous in our teaching of "convergence," in all its shapes and forms, to the TV journalists of tomorrow.
Read the full article here.
You can comment on this article by using the comments link below.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
2008 Convergence Conference
It may have been only yesterday that we closed the book on the 2007 Convergence Conference, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start looking forward to next year.
"Convergence and Society: The Participatory Web (3.0)" is the title for next year's conference, to be held Oct. 9-11, 2008. This conference is again being hosted by the College of Mass Communications and Information Studies at the University of South Carolina.
The 2008 conference will focus on the future of media convergence as it relates to the ever-expanding opportunities for online interactivity -- blogs, social networking, and citizen journalism, to name a few.
Essays, research, and technology related to these tools, as well as the practice and teaching of convergent journalism, are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2008.
For submission information, please contact Dr. Augie Grant.
Keep an eye on the Newsplex Web site for registration and further information.
That's All Folks
And so, another Convergence Conference has come to a close.
Big thanks go to USC's Dr. Augie Grant and all those who helped to organize -- and actualize -- this great event.
Equally major thanks are owed to all those who attended the conference -- presenters and listeners alike.
We hope everyone learned a little bit and had a great time. We'll see you next year in Columbia!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Two Down, One To Go
With Day Two of the 2007 Conference on Convergence and Society in the books, we have only one final day to go. (OK, a half day if you want to be precise.)
So far we've been informed, entertained, challenged, and of course fed -- and fed well. (Such is the advantage of meeting in a hotel that has a Ruth's Chris Steak House!)
The highlights are too numerous to list them all here. We've seen great presentations on media consolidation, video podcasting, mobile advertising and convergence in the classroom.
Last night we heard from Gannett Corporation president, chairman and CEO Craig Dubow -- no insignificant figure in the media industry, to say the least!
Our visitors have come from as far away as Norway and Brazil, not to mention all over the U.S.
You can be assured that we at The Convergence Newsletter will do our best to share with you some of the best ideas, research and perspectives that have come out of this year's conference.
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