My senior Journalism students come from an ethnically and artistically diverse background. In the Journalism class students strive to become critical consumers of media by learning the process of newspaper production from story idea and development through publication and reflection. They produce the school newspaper which distributes a 12-page issue four times each school year and covers a variety of topics, including the performances and art exhibits at school, age appropriate local interests, and national affairs.
Journalism no longer refers only to daily newspapers and weekly magazines. Students need to understand how journalism has evolved since the development of cable television, the internet, the 24-hour news cycle, and the continuous changes in blogging, social networking, and tweeting. In order to understand these components of journalism, students need to be comfortable with the technology used to produce and interact with them. Getting comfortable with using the internet wisely and with discretion is only a part of the class. Students also need to master the computer programs used in modern journalism including PowerPoint, Flash, and other photo, sound, and video editing/compiling tools. Students also engage more actively when lessons are presented using this technology. For example, an interactive Powerpoint presentation about students' First Amendment rights is far more interesting than a traditional lecture on the subject. In order to guide the students through any of these activities, the class needs to be able to view a projection of the computer screen together.
Using an LCD projector in the classroom, I can guide students through using our own class website for blogging, navigating the web for news-gathering purposes, distinguishing legitimate source information from questionable material, and critiquing how internet news organizations cover recent events. I can also give interactive PowerPoint presentations on topics we are covering in class for the production of our own newspaper, such as design and layout concepts and programs, how to avoid libel and copyright infringement, and the ins and outs of privacy laws. Students can present information they find during a six-week research project on the history of communication. We can also watch and critique coverage of recent political events, such as President Obama's first press conference after his inauguration. Exploring media together with a projected image in front of the class allows me to demonstrate effective and responsible use of the technology available to and used by professional journalists.
By supporting this project, you will help students in countless ways - from getting them ready for college research to facilitating their advancement as informed media consumers to engaging them in learning essential information about Journalism and newspaper production. Students can view computer and internet functions on a large screen in front of the entire class and I will challenge them to critique layout, evaluate websites, and interact with recent news. You will have illuminated their world by helping this project.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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