meeting with Peggy

I set up my phone conference with Peggy Collins for Friday October 26th at 4:00 pm. When I first emailed her to set up a "meeting" time, I asked her what I should be preparing for the conversation. Peggy told me to think of any questions I might have about Online Journalism and what I had gotten out of the class this semester. Immediately, I panicked. The thoughts had not even crossed my mind. But, when I really sat down and thought about it, the answers were simple. Online Journalism has catapulted my mind into areas of journalism I never knew existed.

I will never forget the first day I walked into class. I was an "add in" so I had missed the first lecture. Staci Wolfe , our classroom lecturer, was standing at the front, but another woman was speaking live via satellite from a projection screen. First, I was confused and second, I was intimidated. What in the world had I gotten myself into? Why did my class have two teachers? And why was I a junior in college and had virtually no experience with the programs we were going to be using?

As the weeks rolled on, all of my trepidations about JEM 222 disappeared. Peggy, our online lecturer, has been a big help in working with our class. She gave lecture notes and helpful tips to improve our writing. Peggy also collaborated with Staci to build the class curriculum and keep the assignments fresh and interesting. I have learned more about myself as a writer in taking this class than ever before. Online Journalism has allowed me to use the skills I have practiced for years and finally produce a product.

My favorite assignment was the magazine writing assignment. I studied Cosmopolitan magazine's website. I was blown away by the effort that went in to online appeal for magazines. I would love to take a class that focused primarily on online magazine development. Online Journalism has been the bane of my existence at times and the most rewarding class at the same time. I have worked so hard on developing my writing and becoming a better journalist. Compared to the beginning of class, I have a new appreciation for online journalists, a profession I never knew existed.

Peggy's phone conversation with me went better than expected. I was a little nervous when she first called, but the more we talked, the more I wanted to open up. She offered helpful advice about making my stories "flow" and not sound quite like a book report. Peggy also gave me an opportunity to voice what I liked and didn't like about the course. I did not care for the weather story assignment because I was unsure of the graphic portion to the story, but I loved the one- on-one interview. Peggy even commented on my strong interviewing skills. Maybe I have found my calling after all! We ended the conversation with aggreance on both sides that the semester had been successful thus far. I'll be interested to see what the remainder of the term has in store..