New years and new semesters give educators the opportunity to review past courses and identify ways to change and improve them. In 2014, improvement can pave the way for innovation. If you think innovation requires a lot of resources and money, my experience has shown you can do more with less. You can take small steps with fewer resources to make big changes. I provide some tips for journalism educators in this recent PBS MediaShift article.

As the New Year fast approaches, what is ahead on the road in 2014 for the news industry? In 2014, we will see that data-driven journalism techniques and stories will take on a bigger role. Check out my top five predictions for data-driven journalism in 2014.
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Nowadays, journalism teachers use resources ranging from textbooks to online videos and techniques like case studies and role play. Another option for educators is a new digital book by the Knight Foundation that explores journalism’s past, present and future, and offers a learning layer with lesson plans. In this article I explain the various ways journalism educators (high school or college) can use the learning layers of “Searchlights and Sunglasses” in their own classrooms. Read more on the Knight Foundation Website >>

Data-driven journalism is quickly becoming another important skill set in the reporter’s toolbox, a unique form of storytelling in today’s digital media environment and a way for public data to reach people that shows real impact. This week, I focus on INN members VTDigger.com and New Mexico In-Depth and their innovative approaches to covering their state using data-driven journalism techniques that are making a big impact one data point at a time. Read more on the INN site >>

Are you heading to ONA13?

Check out this list of Data Journalism panels during the three-day conference:

Day 1, Oct. 17

[For Journalism] Git for Journalists

Turning Civic Information Into Civic Narrative

Closing the Digital and Data Divide: Data Journalism in Developing Countries

[For Journalism] Storytelling with Data

I Need Data for My Story. Help.

Data Journalism: The Tower of Babel Problem

Day 2, Oct. 18

If I.F. Stone Had a Computer: Document Mining in the Digital Age

“Ha, Your Data’s Showing”

Big Data, Little Newsroom

Day 3, Oct. 19

Build Your First Data Driven Map with Tile Mill