Journalism Education: Journalism Reporting Field Trips and internationalisation of the curriculum
Year: 2007
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: A program organised by the writer for journalism students to do practical work overseas has seen small groups experiencing inter-cultural learning and working as foreign correspondents for campus-based media outlets. Since 2000, 52 students have joined eight tours of 14 – 21 days, in nine Asian and European countries. They obtain credit for a full elective unit ... A main aspect of the project is its adaptation of professional practice and early experience to the demands and ambiance of globalised media industries, which will encompass, (a) high satisfaction in the range, import and colour of news and other materials to be dealt with, (b) the stimulus of cultural learning, and (b) awareness-building through exposure to the stress of isolation and security issues in unfamiliar places. In more directly pedagogical terms the project’s rationale is that while practice focuses the mind on essential communication tasks, practice in distant and unfamiliar settings intensifies the experience – hence learning. An “industry standard” experience, it replicates journalistic practice of overseas correspondents ... This practice dovetails with increasing curriculum internationalisation. A literature has been consulted identifying principal pedagogical arguments for study abroad, and present-day demands on the academy, e.g. preparation of professionals needing to work in their profession anywhere in a “world community”... The paper assesses documentation kept on field trip itineraries; observations made by staff when the students were accompanied; students’ diaries on inter-cultural experiences; costs, overwhelmingly but not exclusively met by the students themselves; and the output of news, features or special programs. Outcomes list student products and feed-back, marks obtained against usual GPA performances, and students’ later achievements. Most participants are motivated to strive in all fields and later have a strong jobs record. Special features are considered, e.g. language learning in contemporary journalism; the program’s popularity among postgraduate students. The investigation concludes such programs have a valuable place in core curricula; relate to increasing demand for “real world” learning, and internationalisation; and can be integrated into degree structures without undue strain on resources. It is proposed that applied learning towards meeting the demands of internationalised journalism is helpful to entry level journalists and stands to assist them to turn out quality products.
Author: Lee Duffield
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W103739733