Journalism professors are concerned with how effectively students understand current news events and engage with mainstream news sources. This essay is based on a survey administered to students in a newswriting course and analyzed the kinds of current news that students followed in weekly assignments designed with a digital, interactive approach.…

Given the increasing influence of public journalism on the daily routines of newspapers across the United States, students need to be taught how to find a workable balance between consulting and reporting on conventional information sources and consulting and reporting on the perspectives provided by ordinary citizens. This paper discusses ways in…

Reports on a classroom activity that emphasizes to journalism students the importance of good observational skills and of getting accurate information firsthand. (RL)

People who write about children's writing today stress that it is a highly personal process. The process can also be an interpersonal one. The support of other children seems to give security in the writing act. In a secure classroom where it is safe to try new things, there is little danger that a child will become dependent on the group…

Shows how writing news stories about fairy tale characters enlivens student writing classes. Suggests assignments for creating a fairy tale newspaper with news stories, obituaries, editorials and letters to the editor, advice columns ("Ask Mother Goose"), weddings and social events, sports news, and advertisements. (RL)

Describes a reporting exercise that yields a publishable story from a company's annual report. (HTH)

Describes a journalism writing assignment in which students compile a specialized style manual with computer and business terms. (HTH)

The reason for creating the Task for Reporting, Interviewing, and Observing (TRIO) was to make selective perception and metaphoric transformation come alive for students. This paper includes the experiences in designing, implementing, and trying out the exercise, a description of the exercise, a summary of the participants' play, and suggestions…

Presents reasons for teaching journalism students how to read and analyze legal cases. Discusses teaching case analysis, and lists a few applications for the case-reading exercise in journalism classes. (SR)

Describes an integrated curriculum approach to world history using a "medieval" newspaper as a primary student project. Presents technical requirements, a newspaper outline, and recommendations for research and writing. Includes recommendations for student evaluation and teacher resources. (CFR)