Colaiste Dhulaigh
September 2020 was the start of my journey. Journalism HND began in the building but only for two days due to covid-19 restrictions. The remainder of semester one and two for year one s all done from home. With having a visually impairment was an added difficulity to a tough course.
The modules in semester one were Investigate Journalism, Journalism Practice, Individual Project and Professional Practice. Investigate was a module how I learned how to write and structure an article. The topic I choosed to investigate was the impact of VAR in football. As a big football fan I wanted to see why it's a constent talking point in football. Throughout the process I got some great quotes from RTE broadcast journalists Hugh Cahill, John Kenny and Paul O’ Flynn. I was extremely proud to use quotes from The Independent Chief Football Correspondent Miguel Delaney. The article included qputes and stats and it was structured like a book with a beginning, middle and a end. I was delighted how the article went and you can give my article a read by clicking on How VAR effects football. Stand.ie published this article and I was happy with a Merit from Investigate Journalism.
Professional Practice was a module that involved a written essay as the main assignment. The assignment asked questions about your goals and ambitions. It felt like you were repeating yourself during the essay but managed a Pass in Professional Practice.
Journalism Practice was a mof module which included Near FM. The topic I choosed was Wildlife as more animals were poping up in local areas throughout the pandemic. The assignment was broke up into different sections a powerpoint presentation, article and a running order. My article for this included a interview from the Phoenix Park. The powerpoint presentation was done in front of the tutor and a member of staff from Near FM. This module was not the worst as I got a Merit in Journalism Practice.
Individual Project was a module were topic was picked and it was up to you to carry out a story. I decided to write a piece about traditional News as it made a comeback in 2020. My piece was mostly based on stats but I had a couple of quotes from RTE Six One News presenter Sharon Tobin. This module was different to Investigate as I learned various styles to writing. I was happy that I passed this module.
2 Passes and 2 Merits in Semester one was a good start to college life.
Second semester of year one included Radio Production, Digital Page Production, Journalism Society and Creative Media Industry.
Radio Production was a module were you had to make a one hour ,Radio show as part of a group. The tutor made the groups and I was in a group with Kim, Jewels and Dom. We all had different roles but made all decisions as a group. I was able to get a voice over from The Script and was added to their song Hall of Fame. With the show called The LockIn it was all about the normal things that could not happen during lockdown. I was in charge of the sport and I did about no crowds at football matches due to covid and my piece included a interview with former League of Ireland footballer and RTE Sport analyst Alan Cawley. I really enjoyed this module as it gave me confidence to record myself and also learned how to use recording software Adobe Audition. I was overwhelmed when I found out that I got a Distinction in this module.
Journalism & Society was a module broke into two sections. The first six to eight weeks was all theory work focusing on blogs as work. The remainder of the module focused on making a video through using Premier Pro. The video included both text and pictures about how video killed the radio star. I left this module to the last minute but thankfully meet deadline on time by receiving a Merit for Journalism & Society.
Digital Page Production. This module was one of the toughest as I had to create an 8 page magazine through Imdesign. With been visually impaired I struggled in this module. When recording you are able to use keyboard shortcuts but not in Imdesign. The magazine was the majority of the marks but got there in the end through assistance. I was delighted that I got a Merit in Digital Page Production.
The final module in semester one was Creative Media Industry. This module was a detailed look at all the different industries within media. It was similiar to Professional Practice with the assignment been a written essay. I liked this module as it gave me a great insight in how different jobs in media. I was proud to get a Merit in Creative Media Industry.
Out of the eight modules in year one I got three Passes, four Merits and one Distinction. A fantastic effort as the whole of year one was online. At times it was difficult but I'm very driven and I love a challenge. I can do well with been visually impaired their is no reason why another person could not do the same course as me.
Year 2 was a bit different as we started to go back into college. Three modules in semester one were Podcast Production, Collaborative and Advanced Journalism.
Podcast Production was a module which included a powerpoint presentation on the history of podcast and creating an episode for Solutionism News. With having a passion about sport I decided to call my podcast Paddy Tees It Up. The episode was based on golf focusing on the health aspect. I had three interviews with all different aspects. Dr Aoife Ni Sheaghda gave the science, Minister of Sport Jack Chambers focused on government support in getting sport back on the road after covid and Padraig Harrington gave his opinion on the health aspect as a professional golfer. This episode was a good insight to golf been healthy and you can check out everything about my podcest on the podcast page. I was delidhted that I got a Distinction in Podcast Production.
PP was a double module in conjunction with Advanced Journalism. The assignment was based on transcribing audio from the podcast into an article. Advanced was a step up from Investigate in year one. I learned more about styles and the article included the interviews as quotes and revelant stats about golf. You can check out the article on my website by searching Is golf the best sport for your health. It was happy to receive a Merit in Advanced Journalism.
The third module was Collaborative which was in conjunction with the film group. As part of the Journalism gang we were in charge with writing scripts, articles and conducting interviews. I wrote an article on the affect of cdncel culture for celebrities and you can check it out by clicking on my WordPress blog below. I punched above my weight again as I sat down with Will Chalk from BBC. Then the film group put it together as a video at the end. Due to two different groups I felt their was a lack of communication. I did not let this affect me as I got a Merit in Collaborative.
Semester two consisted of Social Media Practice, Magazine & Features, News & Editorial and Personal Professional Development.
This semester was difficult as all the modules were tied in together.
Social Media Practice were all blogs to review what was covered by the tutor in each session. The assignment was based on a marketting campaign for a product. It was done through a powerpoint presentation with headings from the brief. I picked The Bogey Men podcast as it's sport based. I picked it as they are not active on social media. My campaign was based on ways the podcast can improve their social media follpwing. I was chuffed with a Merit in Social Media Practice.
Personal Professional Development was based on two big assignments. One presentation based on your work and the other one been a business plan. I was last when it came to presenting and that was very daunting. I paniced at the last minute regarding this module but I was overwhelmed with a Merit in PPD.
News & Editorial was tied in with Magazine & Features. I learned the difference between the two in this module. Two assignments for this module were written pieces. One was about comparing the difference of News and Editorial through examples from the media. The other one was a article about the difference between RTE News 2Day and BBC website. These two pieces are available through WordPress at the end. It wasn't my favourite module but kept at it to get a Merit in News & Editorial.
Magazine & Features was the final module of semester two. We had to create a video as part of a group. I was the producer and I really enjoyed the role. My level of organisation and great motivation kept my group going. I was in charge of organising interviews, conducting interviews and overseeing all group decisions. Our video focused on the return to college life after covid. We visited the other campuses and the highlight was in Malahide as we went out on a boat with Outdoor Education. I was extremely overwhelmed that I got a Distinction in Magazine & Features.
Two years of hard work but all the tutors were extremely helpful and supportive regarding my disability at Colaiste Dhulaigh. My classmates were easy to get along with and we all gained a great relationship as friends. This course has been beneficial in getting me to were I am today.
https://wordpress.com/view/patrickmorgansport.wordpress.com
https://youtu.be/YM0l1MvDAeU
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1246qqjoT0ciZFrS3ZhsiNTDAAPfC8cV3/view?usp=drivesdk