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The MoJo Prof

by bentleycl from Columbia

Last Post 27 days, 16 hours Ago


A class with class
Dec 5, 2007 | 6:38 PM
Category: News
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What a bittersweet day. I wrapped up the fall semester by saying goodbye to one of the brightest and most enjoyable groups of students with whom I have worked.

You know them as Alien, Bad Ad-itude, Common Cents, Life's Relative, The Tiger's Right Paw and The Watchdog. I know them as 18 faces that alternately knit in puzzlement, glazed in terror and brightened in delight as I took them through a semester of commentary, editorial and blog writing.

I invited the students to my house this afternoon for a brownies, hot cider and farewells. Like the 31 other afternoons I have spent with them since August, I learned as much as I taught. I laughed with them as they told of comments on their blogs, exchanges they have on Facebook and the befuddlement of their friends as they became increasingly opinionated. I listened to them worry about their futures and the future of their profession. And I simply enjoyed their wit and wisdom.

As they enjoyed yours. Their tip of the hat is to the bloggers, comment writers and staff at MyFox STL. They all named you as some of the best teachers they have ever experienced.

Some of the students will keep writing on this system and all of them will write somewhere. A third of the class graduates next week. Another third will go to professional projects next term. Others have a year ahead where they can continue to focus their careers.

You may even see their bylines soon. The LA Times, the Dallas Morning News, a major magazine company and several other big media names will soon have them on staff. One student is off to a study session in Australia, another to the Middle East. Both will blog from there.

I won't have an editorial writing class in the spring term, but I will teach a citizen journalism/blogging class. I'm not sure if those students will migrate to MyFox, but I will still be here to report on the view from the not-so-ivory tower.

Thanks, folks. Thanks for giving them hell, for making them think and most of all, for listening. In the past few months you may have had more impact on the future of American media than any panel of talking heads ever has.

Clyde Bentley
The MoJo Prof


13 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 13
Page 1 of 1
snoopydad24 read my blog view my photos
Dec 5, 2007 | 9:47 PM

Good Luck to the Fab Four in your future endeavors. Hopefully your skin is much thicker than it was when you started. I remember my first art critique it was brutal.

Anyway Good Luck
rosie read my blog view my photos
Dec 5, 2007 | 10:15 PM

and thank you and thank them....
LadyCardFan read my blog view my photos
Dec 5, 2007 | 10:29 PM

While it was a good experience for them, I was kind of disappointed in the total blogging time spect, but then, I was unaware of their facebook time. I am also one of the ones here that blog a lot, but I picked up that habit from my attendance at UOP Online where I was required to post so many responses per day or week . . . just never slowed down, lol.

Keep in touch Mojo.
mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Dec 5, 2007 | 11:18 PM

Clyde.... You softee......
I think what you are trying to say is that you were having fun with this group and you are gonna miss them.... It's cool though... If they got hooked on the blogs they will hang.......

Hey think about coming to see us on the 21st
JustWonderin read my blog view my photos
Dec 6, 2007 | 4:46 AM

Congratulations and good luck to all. They too have been teachers with their variety of views and comments.
wackymom read my blog view my photos
Dec 6, 2007 | 7:11 AM

Good luck to all of them!
bentleycl read my blog view my photos
Dec 6, 2007 | 8:07 AM

Mr. Wildflower-- I missed the details of the gathering on Dec. 21. Where can I find them?
dannbetty read my blog view my photos
Dec 6, 2007 | 9:02 AM

So what was the GPA of the group, they pass?, just kidding.
mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Dec 6, 2007 | 9:19 AM

Go to the Fox family site.... You can find it under my favorites.... Look at the December Newsletter..... Send an e_mail and I'm sure Jana will e_mail you back with details soon... Im teaching 1st grade or I would spell them out right now but cant get free but for a minute right now.....

I will post a map real soon.... You can meet a ton of Bloggers that night
JillSTL read my blog view my photos
Dec 6, 2007 | 12:41 PM

Good luck to them all!

I remember those days ... seems like so long ago! ;-) ... walking across the stage at Jesse Hall and not knowing what the future would hold ...

They are ALWAYS welcome to blog and keep in touch with us! We are happy to answer questions or help however we can.

Those graduating are officially now part of the "Mizzou Mafia" ... as we lovingly call ourselves! ;-)


-- Jill --
unklehenry read my blog
Dec 6, 2007 | 1:54 PM

Touching blog, MoJo ..... been reading their blogs and yours a long time ..... will miss 'em ..... most already better than all the talking heads.
GrampyMoose read my blog view my photos
Dec 6, 2007 | 3:23 PM

You had all those bloggers, MoJoProf? Be proud, and wish them the best, wherever they go.
journ08 read my blog
Dec 9, 2007 | 10:11 PM

Thank YOU, for teaching the class and making it a worthwhile and enjoyable time.
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bentleycl

I'm an online-media professor at the Missouri School of Journalism. But I'm also a granddad, a letterboxer and an inept woodworker. I spent some time in the MyFox STL office and became hooked on the MyFox blogs. So here I am, sort of the voice of journalism with a big J. I'll take your criticism or answer your questions about the news, the media system or journalism of the future. If you are into the theoretical end of blogging, check my professional blog at http://thecyberbrains.com
.

Member Since: 5/25/2007


 

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