Teaching PR

Here's an example of how to do a link.

Labels: blogging, teaching

My teaching portfolio is finally complete and up on the Grady Web site. Thanks to all who commented on my teaching philosophy last summer, both here and via e-mail.

Labels: education, teaching

Students love the end of the school year; me, not so much.

In the past two weeks I've been to two luncheons, a senior banquet, an award presentation and reception, an awards ceremony and reception, and our faculty/staff end-of-the-year celebration. I skipped an open house and probably some other event I've forgotten by now. Today we have Convocation, our College graduation ceremony. Thank heaven it's not my turn to attend the University graduation in the football stadium -- nothing like wearing a black robe in the glaring sun for 3+ hours (although come to think of it, my gown will be there, courtesy of Kaye Sweetser).

Individually, these events are lovely; since I'm in confession mode I'll even admit that sometimes I get weepy. Every single person honored or program celebrated undoubtedly deserved it. But the end of the semester just can't get here soon enough! (I'm in complete denial about Maymester starting on Tuesday.)

Labels: teaching

Today's the last day my students can post on their blogs for their class grade. I told them in all sincerity that I have enjoyed reading their posts and feel like I got to know them a little better because of it.

Quite a few have commented on the assignment, and the results on this experiment are mixed. Meghan, Mezelle, and Elyse confess to liking it, even after some initial reluctance. They, along with Kristina and Kelly, are thinking about continuing their blogs. Meanwhile, P.R. Student and Chad say they just never took to it; J.L.C. summarizes what she's learned about blogs from a PR perspective; and Allie is disappointed that she didn't have time to do more with hers. Additions: Nicole now admits it's important to know about social media; Nikki offers me some constructive criticism; Crystal didn't like posting her opinions for all the world to see; Ben says it helped him polish his writing skills; another Nikki has decided to keep posting on her blog; and Lauren says it was harder than she expected.

Another faculty member asked me if I'm going to make the same assignment when I teach campaigns in the fall. In all honesty, I haven't decided yet. Did my students learn something from it? Did the blogosphere benefit from their contributions? Was it worth my time and energy? I welcome your thoughts.

Labels: blogging, students, teaching

Wow, two posts on a Sunday. It must be something big. :-)

Okay, not that big, but my students will be delighted to find out they're featured on the Grady homepage for their blogging project. Should be there for a few days and then they'll move to the student showcase.

Although most are graduating in a couple of weeks, I hope at least some of them will choose to continue blogging. I've enjoyed watching them try something new.

Labels: blogging, students, teaching

Yesterday the Athens Symphony team made their presentation to the client. This team did not always click, but they pulled it together in the end, and the client was definitely pleased with their work. The conductor, assistant conductor, and a board member all e-mailed me today to thank the students for their work.

Read what John, Kelly, and another student have to say about their experiences.

Labels: campaigns, students, teaching

PR Campaigns is a tough class to teach. All semester the students work on preparing a plan for their clients, but the April deadline seems awfully far away when they start working in January. It seems like I spend most of my time with the teams telling them how much more work they have to do, and how they better get on it or they won't get done in time. Then April arrives and they go bonkers, spending hours and days and even all-nighters in the PR Lab to get ready for the client presentation.

Yesterday the Home Depot Foundation team presented, and they did a great job. The client called their work "very professional" and went to work right away on one of their suggestions, setting up an internship program through the Grady College. It's a lot of hard work, but at least in this class there's a payoff at the end.

Here are some of the students' thoughts: Nikki, J.L.C., Elyse, Whitney, and the one that still has me laughing, Nicole.

Labels: campaigns, students, teaching

This may be a slight exaggeration, but I feel as if I haven't been caught up at work (or at home for that matter) since September, 2004 (not coincidentally the month my daughter was born). In desperation, I recently scoured the Internet for advice and found a few items that may be helpful to other PR faculty.

First, an article on "Time Management for New Faculty," which was written by two computer scientists but includes more generally applicable advice. Next, a list of tips for saving time in teaching, scholarship, and service -- including some useful tips on grading. Finally, an outline that especially emphasizes planning.

I could summarize all the advice, but that would take time!

Labels: research, service, teaching

...I'm happy, too. Since my depressing post about unhappy students, things have turned around.

First off this morning, I got great news from PRSSA: the judges selected the team I'm advising as one of the top three finalists of 64 competitors, so we'll all be going to New Jersey (via Manhattan, thank you very much) to present to the client next month. I called the account exec early this morning and let her make the other calls, and unless I'm mistaken they're out celebrating at the moment. Here's hoping they'll call a cab.

Then I saw this post from another Campaigns student who wanted me to know how happy she is with her team and project. Elyse, for that you get a link. :-)

I also found out that one of my unhappy students is doing better now. The other has decided to withdraw from graduate school. On a day like today, you just have to hope you've done your best for your students when you had the chance.

Labels: Bateman, students, teaching

I caught CNBC's The Business of Innovation yesterday, a rebroadcast of an episode called "Revolution and Evolution." The entire program can be viewed here, but I particularly recommend Part 3, which has a section on P&G's "Men with Cramps" viral video campaign.

Labels: public relations, teaching

Today I had a meeting with the first of next semester's three (plus the Bateman team) Campaigns class clients, the Athens Symphony Orchestra. It's a volunteer group, does six performances a year, and recently added a chorus. They've been around for almost 30 years, and I've been in Athens for 14, but I knew next to nothing about them--making them, of course, a perfect candidate for the class. The students will be involved with recruitment (members for both the orchestra and the chorus), fundraising, media relations, and whatever else comes up in the research phase.

Client choice is one of my favorite things about Campaigns. Local organizations and UGA departments pretty much line up to participate, and I get to choose whatever interests me and will benefit the students. In the past I've chosen two clients with competing teams on each account, but I decided to go with three this year as an experiment. It will undoubtedly be more work for me, but since I have a personal interest in the ones I choose, it should be fun.

Labels: campaigns, teaching