DEB WENGERUNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Real-Time Reporting

Creating Deadline Pressure

More than half of all the TV jobs posted by the Top 10 television news groups in the country referenced the need for applicants to work under pressure and tight deadlines

Real-Time Reporting

THE SPECS:Use mobile phones and apps (could use small

cameras and/or audio recorders) Audioboo Qik

Real-Time Reporting

THE SPECS:Create place to publish (could be a blog)

Blogger

Real-Time Reporting

THE SPECS:Takes slightly more than one class period

Describe pre-reporting assignment (Day 1: 5-10 min.) Real-Time Reporting Day (Day 2: Entire class period.) Post-assignment discussion (Day 3: 15-20 min.)

Instructor Students

Select event occurring during class time (Election Day, midterm week, health fair, etc.)

Break down story elements into chunks of content for individual research assignments

Each student researches an individual story element (where will newsmakers be during class time, data for map, visual opportunities, etc.)

Pre-Reporting Prep

Research Assignment Sample

No more than two students received the same assignment

Pre-Reporting Prep

Get promotion for your coverage – partner with a media outlet, if possible

Real-Time Reporting Day

Collect student researchAssign teams

Why teams?

More than 40% of all the TV jobs posted by the Top 10 television news groups in the country referenced the need for applicants to work in teams

Speed requiredAlleviates gear/vehicle issues

Add Twitter Component

Require students to tweet FIVE significant updates on the story

Real-Time Reporting Day

Get them out the door!Works best in class of at least 75 minutesFor those who miss deadline, determine

penalty (My students lost 10 points if late – 0 points if not posted by the end of the day)

Real-time Reporting Day

Production work back in classroom (or upload from field)

Real-Time Reporting Day

Real-Time Reporting Day

Can include multiple sections throughout a day-long event

Reporting Day Follow Up

Discuss the experienceReview the stats

Reporting Day Follow Up

Discussion starters:What post or posts drove the most traffic?What do the incoming links tell us about

where the traffic came from? (The newspaper, Twitter, search engines?)

How could you use the data to determine follow up stories for your news organization?

Student Comments

“For the first time, I felt like a real reporter.” Blair Jackson, Sophomore

“It was easier to get a good interview for this story because people were so passionate about their opinions.”

Sara Giles, Sophomore

“Can we do this for every assignment?” David Caldwell, Senior

My Observations

Sense of energy, urgency and fun among the students

Produced better work than usual -- every student did something well

Helped them understand the possibilities and the benefits inherent in mobile news reporting

Created that deadline pressure they will face in the proverbial “real world”

Next Time?

Use Blogger, not Wordpress (plays better with Audioboo & Qik)

Choose another story that develops over time