Course Syllabus

Introduction to Yearbook: Course Syllabus

Course Description

This e-learning module will train new yearbook staffers to effectively collaborate, plan, and produce a school yearbook. In this training, staffers will work through lessons, watch videos, discuss ideas, and assess their knowledge to clearly understand what is required of them during the school year. This training will cover the yearbook staff expectations, how to exemplify teamwork by selecting and executing individual roles, developing a successful style guide and theme, and applying coverage basics throughout the yearbook. This training will be structured into four  lessons.  Each lesson will include assessments, course discussion boards, and group project collaboration opportunities. Students have the chance to gain insight from each other in order to bolster and improve staff engagement and buy-in. 

Instructional Goal

A student successfully completing this e-learning module will be able to execute yearbook expectations, organize their assignments through selecting individual roles, generate a yearbook style guide and theme, and implement yearbook coverage basics. 

Sub Goal 1: Students will interpret their knowledge of yearbook expectations.
Once the yearbook staff members complete the lesson, they will be able to do the following:
Objective 1.1: Identify the benefits of being on the yearbook staff. 
Objective 1.2: Articulate the yearbook staff expectations.
Objective 1.3: Execute commitment to yearbook staff expectations. 

Sub Goal 2: Students will associate the yearbook staff roles and responsibilities with their individual interests. 
Once the yearbook staff members complete the lesson, they will be able to do the following:
Objective 2.1: Identify the individual roles included in the creation of the yearbook. 
Objective 2.2: Recognize their strengths and weaknesses.
Objective 2.3: Determine the role in which they will execute this school  year.

Sub Goal 3: Students will generate a theme and yearbook style guide for the 22-23 school year. 
Once the yearbook staff members complete the lesson, they will be able to do the following:
Objective 3.1: Gather school facts in order to establish a theme. 
Objective 3.2: Generate a list of catch phrases or concepts that capture the essence of  the theme.
Objective 3.3: Analyze the effectiveness, applicability, and relevancy of the theme.
Objective 3.4: Collect and share visual ideas for the theme including colors, fonts, and graphics.

Sub Goal 4: Students will plan page allocations, assign signatures, and generate a ladder for the 22-23 yearbook. 
Once the yearbook staff members complete the lesson, they will be able to do the following:
Objective 4.1: Calculate last year's data and divide the book into percentages. 
Objective 4.2: Determine the book signatures and fill in appropriate sections into a ladder.
Objective 4.3: Explore the subjects of each spread using a graphic organizer.
Objective 4.4: Assign coverage areas to staffers.

Required Text(s)

All required material will be provided in the e-learning training. Supplemental materials will be linked to the Balfour website (https://blog.balfour.com/)  which is the company that produces our yearbook for us.  

Computer/Technical Requirements

The staffers will do the e-learning course in the yearbook computer lab or on their individual Chromebooks. The computer lab consists of 18 computers for the staffers and one for the training instructor.  In order to make the training easily accessible, all of the computers have access to the Internet and will have Google Chrome as the main web browser.

Assignments

This e-learning module will allow school districts advisors to follow a step-by-step process to facilitate the training of an efficient yearbook staff and well planned yearbook. Once staffers are given their school logins, this module will be ongoing through the first 6-weeks of the school year. The following assignments for this training include: readings, discussion questions, assignments, and individual projects. The readings will be provided and will assist class discussions, questions, assignments, and project completion.

Grading

The course grade work includes the following: class discussions, quizzes, assignments, and a culminating individual project. Class discussions are for students to discuss ideas and bolster student engagement. The quizzes are to assess basic knowledge gained during the lesson material and may be attempted twice for a passing grade. Assignments will be provided after the quizzes and discussions to utilize the material and gain important forward-movement for the year. The individual project is a culmination of all lessons combined, counts for the most points, and is vital to taking the next step in the development of the yearbook.  Total possible points is 500.

Point Distribution

The points below have been broken down per lesson and also by the culminating project.  There will be 5 individual grades given for the first 6-weeks of the grading period.

• 90 - 100= A
• 80– 99= B
• 70– 89= C
• 69 or less = F

Topical Outline