Online Journalism (e-learning)

• > General information
• > Course aim
• > Who`s it for
• > Expected learning outcomes
• > Course outline
• > Admission requirements
• > Fees, costs and fellowships
• > Information and registration
• > Testimonials
• > Download
• > Send to a friend

General information

Course aim

The Online Journalism e-learning course provides knowledge and skills while promoting best practices in online journalism. It strengthens capabilities in both multimedia and online storytelling, as well as raising awareness of the changing environment (e.g. with regard to technology, the economy and public expectations) in which journalists have to operate.

Who`s it for

Working journalists with a minimum of two to three years’ experience in broadcast, print or online journalism.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, the participants will be familiar with:

• finding reliable online sources, recognizing the consequences and requirements of online journalism, Content Management Systems, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the importance of page ranking and different techniques for online writing
• HTML-basics, technical infrastructure underlying the internet (HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Flash and server-side technologies), coding a simple webpage, the difference between blogging and reporting, plus the use of  social media in all stages of reporting
• the basics of photography and photo editing (Photoshop or Picasa), picture uploading and slideshow production as well as of audio, writing text for audio, editing audio with Audacity, podcasting and streaming, producing sound slides and of video, news show, script writing, working with Adobe Premiere Pro, final editing and uploading.

Course outline

The course is divided into six modules: Journalists and the internet; Publishing on the web; Online production and online audiences; Images, photos and slideshows; Audio; Video.

Each module lasts a week and consists of specific lessons that are logically connected. Various methods of knowledge transfer are used such as presentations, webinars, screen casts, online discussions of themes, practical assignments (e.g. setting up a weblog, converting an offline article into an online one or producing a slideshow).

To a degree participants can determine when it suits them best to read theoretical material, watch screen casts and carry out practical assignments. However, since the webinars and online discussions are interactive, some time restrictions have to be adhered to. Before starting a new module, we will expect each participant to have finalised all the lessons in the preceding module. Total time required per week is approximately 16 hours; including self-study and practical assignments. Total course time would therefore be 96 hours.

Admission requirements

Applicants must meet the following admissions requirements:

1. You have a minimum of three years experience as a journalist working in or for media
2. You have successfully completed secondary education, and professional education or training in media
3. You are used to working with computers and have good computer skills
4. Your speaking and writing skills in English (the course language) are sufficient
5. You submit a letter of motivation in English (150-250 words) explaining why you want to be admitted to the course
6. You have access to the Internet and are able to install some free software

•  Notepad++ (http://notepad-plus-plus.org/) for text-editing of websites.
•  Skype (http://www.skype.com) for video-conferencing
•  Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net) for audio-editing
•  A trial version of Adobe Premiere Pro (http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html) for video-editing – this trial version is valid for one month after installation
•  Basic browsing and document reading software(Google Chrome/ Mozilla Firefox and Acrobat Reader are recommended)

English language proficiency:

Since English is the working language of the course, proficiency in English is an absolute necessity. Successful candidates will have a level of proficiency in English equivalent to scores of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based) for TOEFL and 6 for IELTS. If you are in doubt about whether you are sufficiently proficient in English please contact RNTC at info@rntc.nl.

After submitting a motivation letter, a phone/Skype interview will be conducted with shortlisted applicants to assess the level of understanding of spoken English and discuss expectations for the course.   

Fees, costs and fellowships

The course fee is EUR 750.

If you are looking for a fellowship to sponsor your study at RNTC then you must take a number of steps. RNTC will assist you in making it possible.

There are five RNTC Fellowships available for this course. Maximum total funding available is 500 EUR per person. The fellowships will be based on merit, need and motivation.

More information on fellowships can be found here.

Information and registration

For more information on registration, visit our 'How to apply' section.
For any questions, please contact us at info@rntc.nl.

Testimonials

“The course exceeded my expectations. I wanted to know how a journalist can use the internet as a tool to find information and how to get people to integrate the radio aspect with the internet. I am now able to work within a multimedia newsroom. To me that is more than meeting expectations.” (Ntsoaki Shoeshoe Qhu – South Africa, Producer at Voice of Wits radio station)

online_journalisme-learning.pdf

rntc_application_online_journalism_e-learning_course.docx