In 2002, a study was published in "Newspaper Research Journal" that explored the preparedness of graduating journalism students to cover business news. In 2012, a follow-up survey of business editors at the nation's daily newspapers was done to see whether progress had been made in the training of journalism students for the…

Examines the relationship between ability grouping of media writing students and their writing competence over time. Finds that students in the different ability groups start the media writing course with a wide gap in mechanical skill level; the gap is eliminated at final exam time. Notes that when students are measured on the same set of skills…

Explores correlates of college writing students' use of instructor comments. Considers interrelationships among writing apprehension, writing outcomes expectations, writing self-efficacy beliefs, and students' use of global and local feedback from instructors when students revise first drafts of news stories. Finds that writing apprehension, the…

Notes that with evidence suggesting self-efficacy is correlated with writing performance, this study focuses on identifying other variables related to self-efficacy. Concludes that such information proves useful because it may help instructors gain a better understanding of their students' performance throughout the semester and may better explain…

Surveys 100 journalism schools investigating: (1) whether journalism schools treat spelling, punctuation, grammar, and AP style as important factors in improving the state of journalism; (2) how journalism schools are teaching and assessing spelling, punctuation, grammar, and AP style; and (3) whether journalism schools are using entrance or exit…

Proposes abandoning the traditional auto mechanic metaphor for teaching news writing (which establishes the teacher's expertise at the expense of the student's learning) in favor of a dialogic method. Argues that dialogic learning that is double looped creates learning advantages for students, and models the social inquiry process of journalism.…

Presents a list of 13 films that faculty might wish to consider for use in conjunction with journalism classes. Gives a brief description of each film, the running time, and directors and producing studios for the record. Notes how images are something modern students can relate to comfortably and hopes faculty can use this technology to stimulate…

Attempts to identify predictors of ability in the first week of an introductory journalism writing course. Finds that students with higher self-efficacy and students who spend more time reading newspapers seemed to be the best prepared on the first day of the introductory course. (SG)

Describes a technique for using e-mail and the World Wide Web to teach an introductory media writing course online. Surveys students' attitudes toward the technique and evaluates the technique's effectiveness in helping students learn. Finds that participating students rated the course highly enjoyable and convenient, and substantial majorities…

Examines journalism students' responses to a news story containing multiple sources where one side is presented in direct quotation form and the other side is presented in paraphrased form. Shows that advanced journalism students evaluated the story as significantly less balanced and significantly less fair than did beginning journalism students.…

Suggests strategies for computer-assisted reporting which students and professionals can apply to a database that they want to analyze. Identifies 13 such strategies, giving an example of each, pointing out some keys to selecting each strategy, and suggesting software most appropriate for carrying out each strategy. (SR)

Shows how a reasonably thorough understanding of risk reporting can be taught in a basic environmental reporting course by applying S. Klaidman's (1990) "Reasonable Reader" approach. Discusses what risk reporting is and what its biases are. Outlines the environmental course, the teaching of risk reporting, and the "Reasonable Reader" model.…

Demonstrates the usefulness of ability grouping in a "media, writing, and information gathering" course to improve students' writing skills. Notes students improved to the point where the gap in skills between ability groups was eliminated. Finds objective tests of mechanical skills did not predict students' writing ability. Suggests writing…

Describes how the author taught a class (called "Editing for Broadcasting") for 19 neophyte newspeople through total immersion: students learned how to run a newsroom while operating one. Notes that students learned the principles and fundamentals of broadcast journalism, including news judgment, writing, editing, reporting, and producing, and…

Reports on a study in an introductory media writing class in which student journals were used as a formative classroom assessment technique. Examines the relevance in value of student journals in enhancing instructors' understanding of students' attitudes toward writing processes. Examines the role of student journals in providing feedback on the…