Teaching Data Journalism in a World of Tool and Tech Overload

Abstract

The field of journalism is undergoing systemic disruption, with the subarea of data journalism transforming rapidly due to the introduction of new tools and techniques as well as the changes in reporting practices as journalists and newsrooms experiment and innovate. This paper explores the challenges for data journalism educators to teach in such a rapidly shifting landscape. Drawing from our experiences teaching journalism students in higher education, we assert that the goal of data journalism education amidst this complexity is not to teach tech, nor even to teach technical skills, but rather to model for students strategies of dealing with transformation and complexity. These include peer learning, hands-on learning activities, modeling learning and information seeking, and establishing a culture of critique. We introduce a number of activities that put those approaches into practice, drawing on learning literature to support our fellow educators shifting from the ”banking model” of education[10] to a learner-centered model[23]. Working with students to co-create knowledge, acting as a ”Guide on the Side”[15] can help better prepare students for the constantly evolving ecosystem of technologies and tools that support data journalism.

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