Kent JMC

Whither goes the Web?

Von Whitmore examines news media partnerships, role of technology in classroom

To keep courses on the cutting edge of journalism, the faculty is exploring new technologies that they can bring into the classroom.

Incorporating new technologies into the classroom is an interest of Evonne Whitmore, assistant professor in electronic media.

"We're in the middle of change," Whitmore says, and she wants her students to be prepared for it.

Bringing TV Web producers to talk with her students, conceptualizing and maintaining the JMC internship Web site, and using distance learning tools are a few of the methods she

uses to teach students to think about new digital technologies.

She considers herself a student of the Web. "I read, I observe. I don't have technical expertise, but I am able to articulate my vision."

Her students learn that producing in a new media environment necessitates using new ideas and tools even if they aren't technical experts in those areas. Being open to emerging concepts and coordinating between various resources is a skill she expects them to develop.

She teaches her students to think about a Web presence as an important aspect of a TV news operation.

Whitmore, along with Prof. Fred Endres, is developing a research project looking at print and broadcast online partnerships.

"We have been preaching the convergence line in our classes, teaching students that they have to be versatile."

Although she knows the necessity of preparing students for converged markets, she wants to understand those markets better.

"The idea that we are all a part of the same news gathering and reporting process is an important concept for students to understand," says Whitmore.

"The idea that we are all a part of the same news gathering and reporting process is an important concept for students to understand."

Von Whitmore on media partnerships.
Photo by Val Kelly

LINKS OF INTEREST

Click here to visit the JMC internship site.

Her study will help her discover how much convergence presently exists, in what markets it is most prevalent and what the trends are.

She sees the evidence of convergence; she wants to know how widespread it is. Examining the state of convergence in different market sizes will show how pervasive integration is.

Her research will give her a better understanding of what her students need to prepare for.

Story by Val Kelly

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Read about some of the work being done by JMC faculty to better understand the World Wide Web

Source credibility of Web sites can be a strange proposition, as design takes precedence over content.

Stan Wearden, professor, print news.

Writing news for online audiences is very different from writing for traditional newspaper readers.

Fred Endres, professor, print news.

Media convergence affects students and creates new business models in the industry.

Barb Hipsman, associate professor, print news.

Web technology can be a dynamic and effective teaching tool in the classroom.

Gary Hanson, assistant professor, broadcast news.

How valuable and productive are online news partnerships between papers and television?

Evonne Whitmore, assistant professor, broadcast news.

A renovated Franklin Hall will be JMC's home in Fall 2006, as well as a symbol of our commitment to preparing students for the digital future. View a multimedia story about our vision and the building.