In the first broadcast journalism course I teach, the students have not necessarily taken any of the production courses they need. Consequently, my approach to online reporting involves a project where they do a story in a mock digital format. The story copy needs to be laid out, accompanied by art of some sort, and needs to contain two soundbites and links to at least three relevant sites. Most end up handing in a poster board version, which is fine.
I think it's been effective in forcing students to deconstruct online reporting at an early point in the process. They seem to look at the web a little differently.
Our proposed new curriculum will have two digital courses. One will be an intro where they will work in groups to develop online content. In the next, they will be developing and maintaining a news site.
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Eileen Solomon, Ph.D
Professor, Broadcast and Digital Journalism
470 E. Lockwood
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314) 968-7486
solomoer@webster.edu
