Teaching journalism during a pandemic

Covid-19 has upended social structures and wreaked havoc on a carefully measured education system. Schools and colleges are just one of many, which have been shocked out of their routines. Fortunately, we have the technology to meet this strange new-world head-on. The education system has been forced to adapt swiftly to changes such as switching of curriculum, revisiting outdated topics and training students and teachers to function online.

As our method of teaching evolves, the subjects that are taught evolve with it. The influx of learning-focused applications and software makes it possible to have online classes that mimic physical/on-site classroom environments. Some experts say that online education, judging by the way it is progressing will come to surpass offline education sooner than we can predict it. “Teachers need to distil their key goals and leverage technology features to meet them. Used well — online chat, discussion forums, re-playable video lessons, online meetings, etc. offer tremendous opportunities to make students more engaged (and accountable) compared to time-strapped classrooms where students hide and few hands shoot up,” says Christine Greenhow, associate professor of educational technology in the College of Education, Michigan State University.

Some experts say that online education, judging by the way it is progressing will come to surpass offline education sooner than we can predict it.

The World Economic Forum is terming this shift a ‘Catalyst’ that could finally change ‘centuries-old, lecture-based approaches to teaching, entrenched institutional biases, and outmoded classrooms.’ Professors are driven to experiment in their classrooms, exploring the various options available on virtual platforms.

Education institutions now have the opportunity to provide a truly immersive learning experience. By using the array of tools available, not only can skills be transferred efficiently, but also make the experience fun. Involving students in guides or real-time surveys about a topic in class or having them contribute to a class blog and webpage is one of the way ways to ensure their engagement.

By using the array of tools available, not only can skills be transferred efficiently, but also make the experience fun. Involving students in guides or real-time surveys about a topic in class or having them contribute to a class blog and webpage is one of the way ways to ensure their engagement.

Teaching journalism becomes particularly challenging during this time. What has always been taught through a practice-oriented, ‘boots on the ground’ approach now needs to be rethought to fit the pedagogy of online learning. Since very few schools and colleges in India deal with the subject as a practice-heavy one, those that do, like the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM), Bangalore have an upper hand when it comes to rethinking curriculum for the pandemic. In the twenty years since its founding, IIJNM has focused on a number of creative and technological ways to bring the world into its classrooms and provide a holistic outlook of the field. A flipped classroom approach, which has been a common practice at this journalism school has already laid the foundation for a path-breaking online-learning effort.

Teaching journalism online turns students into trainee-journalists. When they are taught how to report and reporting techniques online, and face the challenge to implement it without the safety net of the collegiate system, learning is intensified. This environment not only gives students a glimpse at the bright future that awaits them but also makes them poised for success as they enter the field.

Journalism educators are also at crossroads. It is already an accepted fact that journalists of today need to be well-rounded and technologically proficient. The pandemic ensures that. Students of all journalism streams now have to learn to work with software to produce their work on time. They can no longer choose to ignore its importance.