A presentation highlighting instructional software for use in a High School Journalism course.

1. Instructional Software
for use in High School Journalism/Media Courses
Josh Simmons
EdTech 541
Summer 2013

2. Instructional software is a must in High School Journalism
courses. All aspects of journalism in 2013 require technology
including newspaper layout, audio video recording and
editing, and web design.
Journalism curriculum and student requirements show the
advantage of using instructional software in coursework.
As technology has progressed in recent years, story telling
through journalism has evolved into a digital field.
Instructional technology is essential for journalism education.

3. Drill & Practice
Drill and practice software “provides exercises in
which students work example items... and receive
feedback on their correctness” (Roblyer & Doering,
2013). Flash cards and online practice tests are
common uses of drill and practice. The relative
advantage of drill and practice in journalism
instruction is that it builds the skills needed to
create and deliver content in a professional
manner.

4. Drill & Practice Software
newsroom101.net is an online tool that replaces a
student workbook and acts as a lab for training students
on the basics of the newsroom. The site includes
quizzes on AP style, grammar, punctuation and word
usage.
englishexercises.org offers grammar practice for
students based on age level. The site gives feedback
for the quizzes immediately.

5. Tutorials
Tutorial software is sequential in nature and self-paced
in delivery. “Unlike other types of instructional
software, tutorials are true teaching materials” (Roblyer
& Doering, 2013).
Quality tutorials should be interactive, user controlled
and appropriate in terms of pedagogy. The relative
advantage of tutorials is seen in student-driven learning
and review of previous instruction. Instruction can also
be given in areas where a subject matter expert is not
readily available. Tutorials are great for individual
learning.

6. Tutorials
lynda.com provides video editing tutorials for various
video editing software including iMovie.
KDMC from University of California at Berkeley is a great
site providing tutorials for various areas of journalism.
YouTube.com offers numerous video tutorials on various
software used in the journalism field, including iMovie,
Adobe Creative Suite, and even basic newspaper layout
and web design.

7. Simulations
Simulations are technological models based on a “real or
imagined system that is designed to teach how the system
works” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013). Simulations require user
input on which outcomes are based.
The relative advantage of simulations is that students get a
real-world experience in a digital environment. Students
learn sequences and procedures and are often placed in
hypothetical situations where decision making is key.
“Simulations usually emphasize learning about the system
itself rather than learning general problem-solving
strategies” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013).

8. Simulations
Cameraism is an SLR camera simulator that is useful to
train photo journalism students. Students can setup a
shot and adjust every aspect of the camera before
snapping a test shot. The test shot simulates the an
actual picture with the settings made.

9. Instructional Games
Instructional games provide a fun means of learning including
rules and competition to reinforce learning. The relative
advantage of instructional games is retention of knowledge
and the appeal of games to students.
According to Roblyer & Doering (2013), instructional games
can take the place of worksheets and exercises, teach
cooperateive group working skills and serve as a reward.

10. Instructional Games
Be The Reporter by the University of Minnesota gives
students the opportunity to act as a reporter and conduct
all research and report the findings.
Play the News Game is an interactive game that gives
students the chance to report the news.

11. Problem-Solving Software
Problem-solving software “may focus on fostering
component skills in or approaches to general problem-
solving ability, or provide opportunities to practice solving
various kinds of content-area problems” (Roblyer & Doering,
2013).
The relative advantage of problem solving in journalism is
the for students to gain the ability to adapt to changes
quickly. Journalism is an area where information is rapidly
changing and journalists must adapt to breaking news and
technology problems. The bulk of problem-solving skills
needed in journalism will deal with the technology itself.

12. Problem-Solving
Software
MPEG Streamclip MPEG Streamclip is a video
transcoder and compressor. It takes a video file and
converts it into a smaller, bigger, different video file to suit
your needs, solving the issue of non-standard video.
Students will learn to problem solve based on trial and
error in video settings.
Audacity is a free audio editing tool. It solves the problem
of audio clips that are too long or contain unnecessary
content.

13. References
Roybler, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Integrating
educational technology into teaching. (6th ed.).
Boston: Pearson.