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Journalism students need WiFi
and laptops
Editor's note: The JCOM department is exploring
the possibility of installing WiFi in the Animal Science
Building as a way to turn ordinary classrooms into writing
labs for courses above the premajor core. If you'd like
to comment about this idea, email Department
Head Mike Sweeney.
By Mikaylie Kartchner
September 30, 2005 | The possibility
of WiFi in the future for the USU journalism department
is an exciting notion. Wireless Internet could be a
serious help for aspiring journalists.
Over the past few years, the Internet has become an
almost indispensable tool in the communication field.
Not only is it used for the gathering of research and
information, but also as a means of communication with
millions of people, from sources to editors to dignitaries.
Its potential is limitless and very powerful. Having
such a tool at the fingertips of every journalism student
could only increase their potential and ability to produce
some great journalism.
However, there are concerns among students. Having
WiFi in the Animal Science Building would make it possible
for teachers to require journalism majors to bring laptops
to class, and laptops are expensive. Placing another
financial burden on the backs of already struggling
students could potentially divert attention away from
the department and cause some students to choose other
majors that have no such requirement.
The issue is troubling. That's understood. But even
with the added monetary demand, students need to realize
the great benefits of having a laptop in class that
can access the Internet.
A computer is like a lifeline for journalism. No longer,
after breaking out of a press conference, do strings
of reporters run wildly for the pay phones to call their
editors with the latest scoop. They are talking with
them while still in the conference, sending notes, updates
then finally all 700 words of copy with the quick click
of a button. The keyboard is quickly replacing the pencil,
and students who are serious about journalism need to
be prepared for that kind of fast-paced, technology
oriented field. If they're not, their competition will
be.
Journalists spend years practicing and perfecting
reporting techniques. Although students might be able
to make it through school without a laptop, and only
purchase one when they get out in the field and have
more of an income, it is pointless to train someone
to do a job with the wrong equipment. College is the
time when great writers start to develop their own voice,
style, and techniques. Students are taught how to gather
information, how to interview, and how to meet deadlines,
and teaching someone those skills is almost trivial
if the methods are out of date. No one would try to
teach someone about construction without the showing
them the tools of the trade. Journalism is the same,
and laptops and the Internet are becoming some of the
tools of trade for journalists.
WiFi in the JCOM building increases the opportunities
for students to learn the needed information. Not only
could more be taught about on-line journalism, but some
the required classes that required computer labs and
Internet access could be offered more often, easing
some of the bottlenecks of the major. There is no question
this benefit alone would have a great impact on the
journalism department. Plus, as previously mentioned,
there are still the benefit of having research, e-mail,
and current affairs right at your fingertips.
Even with the problems associated with having WiFi
and requiring laptops, students and faculty must look
at the potential benefits and realize they may outweigh
the cost.
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