This is a practical introduction to journalism designed for people who want to start to use journalistic skills, for example, to write about their local or regional community. It is also for people in a non-professional setting who have a general interest in journalism. You learn some of the key skills, such as gathering information; how to tell a news story; some legal and ethical considerations for journalists; and how to use the English language for journalistic effect.
Course aim
To introduce you to the skills needed to be a journalist and to ways of writing about your local or regional community.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
- It will be easier for you to use both Zoom (a live video learning platform) and Canvas (where quizzes and resources can be accessed) together during sessions if you have access to both a laptop or PC and a tablet. You will need to be able to take notes, watch videos and download documents.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Identify and start to practise some key journalistic skills (such as gathering information; how to tell a news story; considering legal and ethical considerations for journalists; and how to use the English language for journalistic effect).
- Identify your existing skills and consider how to build on them.
- Start to plan for future skills development.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You will be expected to carry out a range of activities in your own time
- There will be live interactive Zoom sessions with some exercises using material on Canvas. You will take part in a range of different online activities with your tutor and the other students on the course; Activities may include tutor presentation, small group work and online discussion
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- If you have both a laptop/PC and a tablet, it would be useful to use one of these separate devices for accessing Canvas during the Zoom sessions. Notebook, pen and paper or other way of building up a personal glossary and taking notes.
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- Please complete the first module Welcome and getting ready for Introduction to Journalism.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
- Become involved as a volunteer for your local or regional community.
Download full course information sheet
