Welcome to the official TECH TIPS archive
TECH TIPS is a FREE periodic e-mail column by me, Debbie Wolfe, focusing on tips, tricks, traps and techniques for technology training in newsrooms. Guest postings and reader questions are encouraged.
This
is the official TECH TIPS archive site where my columns and
other up-to-date supporting materials may be found. One-stop shopping for the
most comprehensive and updated FREE information ... what a deal!
Why do I give these columns and tip sheets away on this Web site or at journalism conferences and seminars? It's my legacy to my profession. Instead of writing books which become outdated before they're published or academic articles that are difficult to locate when you need them, my medium has always been tip sheets because they're easy to distribute, use in the real world and update as techniques improve or technology changes (classic tip sheets include a version date). I also believe that access to self-paced learning materials should be FREE. What I do charge for is my time when I'm doing custom on-site consulting/training -- for details about my negotiable rates and what I offer to other newsrooms and journalism programs/institutes, worldwide, click here.
To subscribe to the FREE periodic text-only TECH TIPS columns, e-mail me at: dpwolfe@yahoo.com and I'll add you to my routing list. Columns never contain attachments. Any supplementary materials are posted on my Web site: canyonwolfephoto.com The inaugural TECH TIPS posting was released Oct. 3, 2003.
TECH TIPS columns are converted to Acrobat Reader format with hyperlinks and are archived here approximately one month after the e-mail release date. NOTE: TECH TIPS columns may also be archived or hot-linked at other newsroom training-related Web sites such as the newsroom training editors' site: No Train, No Gain (www.notrain-nogain.org).
Postings archive (postings are archived approximately one month after e-mail release date):
| SERIES No. AND TITLE | PART NUMBER | E-MAIL RELEASE DATE | DESCRIPTION |
|
1: Train the Trainers |
1 of 6 |
Oct. 3, 2003 |
The “magic rule of 3s” and newsroom work flows; Plus: Topical series outline for the next six months |
| 1: Train the Trainers | 2 of 6 | Nov. 3, 2003 | The power of skills/knowledge checklists and creating lesson plans that work, made easy |
| 1: Train the Trainers | 3 of 6 | Dec. 9, 2003 | Realistic goals and assessment strategies for four critical levels of training: individual, course, program and follow-up |
| 1: Train the Trainers | 4 of 6 | Jan. 2, 2004 | Adult learning styles |
|
FUTURE TECH TIPS TOPICS |
|||
| 1: Train the Trainers | 5 of 6 | TBA | Effective technology note-taking techniques and “teach backs” |
| 1: Train the Trainers | 6 of 6 | TBA | Choosing data sets and creating progress quizzes that teach and motivate (keeping up and keeping fresh) |
| 2: Lesson plans that will be used | 1 of 6 | TBA | Focus on Excel, levels 1-5 |
Math for Journalists is a FREE course available through Poynter's NewsU online university. Use it to refresh your skills and knowledge or to acquire new tools like when you want to use a double-check technique. Examples illustrate how to use numeracy in news reports while drills and games will challenge you to make routine math more routine (www.newsu.org/courses/course_detail.aspx?id=nu_math05)
Registration for NewsU is also free and only takes a few moments. Take my Math for Journalists course for a spin or dip into a topic or two, then drop me a note to let me know what you think. I periodically revise and expand the course material with the help of NewsU's Flash guru and Interactive Learning Producer Casey Frechette.
If you are a newsroom trainer or university teacher, my tip sheet on creating your own math class for journalists will guide you toward creating live training to supplement the online course.