Today was fantastic! One of my main goals during this fellowship was to become more familiar with the 1st Amendment, so I can effectively teach it to my students. The 1st Amendment presentation by Ken Paulsen, ASNE President, was so good that I wish I would have video taped him. Since he was the first presenter, I really had no idea how the sessions were going to be held. However, his presentation really energized everyone, and I am looking forward to designing opening lessons for my journalism classes.
Another great aspect of the day was listening to Steve Elliott's journalism lessons and anecdotes. In fact, I have a few memorable quotes by Steve:
"Journalists are scholars of the world."
This was great because I never really thought about it that way.
"If you want to write, read."
Agreed.
In reference to brainstorming, "Barf them out."
Too many times we want to "organize" brainstorming, and he told us to just get them all out and organize later.
"Tape is a strong credibility tool."
However, he cautions to make sure to always have notes too because your tape WILL fail.
Regarding online research, "It informs your reporting, it's not your report."
Too true, and how hard this is to get through our technologically raised youth.
"Partial quotes are the Devil."
Self-explanatory.
Finally, my favorite Steve quote of the day, "I do find that shame and humiliation are great teaching tools."
Well, for me, shame and humiliation guarantee that I learn from the mistake...maybe not without some residual trauma ;) But I agree that sugar-coating everything is not the way, so I would rather a bit of shame and humiliation.
Steve was not the only instructor to have a memorable quote. In fact, Alan Weintraut from Annandale High School stated today that "Quotes convey emotion, not information."
Lastly, Jen Chandler (Maryland), Mindy Gilman (Kansas), and Deb Grund (Florida) offered some tips regarding information they keep in their classrooms in order to assist students with interviews.
Jen's class keeps a class schedule for all of the students and a master schedule for the teachers at the school, so when interviews are needed the journalists know where to find people.
Mindy's class keeps a "No-No" List, which is a list of students who are not to be interviewed because either (a) the students have already been interviewed once for an article, or (b) the students are friends of the journalists.
Ultimately, Deb's class keeps a list of all students. Each name is highlighted in yellow at the beginning of the year. When a student has been interviewed for an article, his/her name is highlighted in blue. Thus, when a student's name is green, s/he cannot be interviewed again.
Great ideas for organization for the classroom, the teacher, and the students. Bravo!
Another great aspect of the day was listening to Steve Elliott's journalism lessons and anecdotes. In fact, I have a few memorable quotes by Steve:
"Journalists are scholars of the world."
This was great because I never really thought about it that way.
"If you want to write, read."
Agreed.
In reference to brainstorming, "Barf them out."
Too many times we want to "organize" brainstorming, and he told us to just get them all out and organize later.
"Tape is a strong credibility tool."
However, he cautions to make sure to always have notes too because your tape WILL fail.
Regarding online research, "It informs your reporting, it's not your report."
Too true, and how hard this is to get through our technologically raised youth.
"Partial quotes are the Devil."
Self-explanatory.
Finally, my favorite Steve quote of the day, "I do find that shame and humiliation are great teaching tools."
Well, for me, shame and humiliation guarantee that I learn from the mistake...maybe not without some residual trauma ;) But I agree that sugar-coating everything is not the way, so I would rather a bit of shame and humiliation.
Steve was not the only instructor to have a memorable quote. In fact, Alan Weintraut from Annandale High School stated today that "Quotes convey emotion, not information."
Lastly, Jen Chandler (Maryland), Mindy Gilman (Kansas), and Deb Grund (Florida) offered some tips regarding information they keep in their classrooms in order to assist students with interviews.
Jen's class keeps a class schedule for all of the students and a master schedule for the teachers at the school, so when interviews are needed the journalists know where to find people.
Mindy's class keeps a "No-No" List, which is a list of students who are not to be interviewed because either (a) the students have already been interviewed once for an article, or (b) the students are friends of the journalists.
Ultimately, Deb's class keeps a list of all students. Each name is highlighted in yellow at the beginning of the year. When a student has been interviewed for an article, his/her name is highlighted in blue. Thus, when a student's name is green, s/he cannot be interviewed again.
Great ideas for organization for the classroom, the teacher, and the students. Bravo!