My name is Jane Barrager and I will be your guide this semester on the subject of Digital Media: Concepts and Production.
I am originally from Detroit, but I’ve been living in Florida since 1992, and in Tallahassee in particular since 1996. Like many northerners, I came here for the warmth and Sunshine.
I am a graduate of both the undergraduate and graduate programs at Florida’s iSchool located in the School of Communication and Information and Florida State University. In fact, I am one of the first original 6 undergrads to ever be enrolled at the, previously graduate only college. The funniest story I have of that time is the day that I sat next to Warrick Dunn in class and had no idea who he was. I sat next to him on the first day of class because he looked lonely – it seemed to me that the other students in the class where, for some reason, keeping a wide berth around his seat and, feeling sorry for this poor guy, I sat next to him. During the first class our professor asked us to turn to the person next to us and describe the first thing we were going to buy when we graduated and started making money. I don’t remember what I said, but Warrick started describing what I knew (being a Detroiter and all) to be about a $60K vehicle. My response? “I hope you find a good job when you graduate, because you’re going to need it to afford that!” Warrick just smiled. About the third class period I woke up late for class, pulled on the dirty clothes lying next to my bed, swept my uncombed hair into a pony tail, and ran, make-up-less, to class and sat down next to my new friend (who’s name I still did not know). Suddenly a news crew burst into the room, shoved cameras and microphones into my deskmate’s face and started rapid firing questions at him which he answered with confidence and ease like it was the most natural thing in the world. When it was over I looked at him and said “Who the hell are YOU?” He smiled and said, “my name’s Warrick”, and it was at that point I realized who he was. So, my first taste of learning about multimedia at Florida state was when I was featured on national television as the seat partner of the infamous Warrick Dunn on ESPN’s “Sports Center” – makupless and, I’ll admit it, hungover!
I discovered in college that teaching was my passion. I’ve been teaching since 1998 and, although I spent some time teaching computer literacy at our local community college, the ischool has been my home since then. I’ve taught a variety of courses both online and f2f including: Intro to Information Technology, Social Media Management, Digital Media: Concepts and Production, Design and production of NW multimedia, Perspectives in IT, Electronic Media production, Technologies for Information Professionals, Research Methods, and Web site development to name most. I also spent some time working for the Office of Distance Learning developing web-based learning modules and other websites for the FSU community. In my current position I serve as the ischool’s Instructional Support Specialist which basically means that I help other faculty rehab classes. I also train and supervise doctoral students who teach in the UG program.
Now you all know a little about me, and I look forward to reading your stories as well. See you online!
