Experiential learning in journalism education: a New Zealand case study

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorBegg, Andy
dc.contributor.advisorStover, Sue
dc.contributor.authorBoyd-Bell, Susan
dc.date.accessioned2008-04-18T01:15:40Z
dc.date.available2008-04-18T01:15:40Z
dc.date.copyright2008-02-07
dc.date.issued2008-02-07
dc.description.abstractTeaching journalism in tertiary institutions presents challenges, including how students learn to work in teams under the sort of pressure that characterizes workplace journalism. This thesis is a case study of how a group of students at AUT University, in Auckland, experienced taking responsibility for producing four editions of a student newspaper as part of their journalism training. Based on a series of individual student interviews, before, during and after their experience, this research suggests that the key factor in their learning was their being allowed, to a large extent, the power to make their own decisions about the appearance and content of their product, while still being charged with the responsibility of ensuring it reached a highly professional standard. The realities of life as a journalist, including recognizing the frequent need to prune, tighten or re-angle stories - even to reject them - and the vital role of co-operative teamwork, unparalleled in their other journalism studies, were driven home.The two tutors, interviewed after the last edition, put some of the student observations into context and provided insights into the discipline involved, as teachers, in maintaining training as a priority, while ensuring production to deadline of a series of reputable and legally safe newspapers.This case study suggests that while there are contrived aspects that cannot replicate a "real" newsroom - such as the students' assignment to editorial roles without the status of real editors or chief reporters - the learning experience resulted not only in advances in the students' technological skills but significant development in their critical thinking about the profession they were due to enter.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/208
dc.publisherAuckland University of Technology
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subjectJournalism education
dc.subjectExperiential learning
dc.subjectProblem-based learning
dc.subjectStudent empowerment
dc.subjectStudent newspaper
dc.subjectStructured interviews
dc.titleExperiential learning in journalism education: a New Zealand case study
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.disciplineSchool of Educationen_US
thesis.degree.grantorAuckland University of Technology
thesis.degree.levelMasters Theses
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Education
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Boyd_BellS.pdf
Size:
1.2 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Thesis
Download
Collections
Masters Theses