Foundation

The NAA Foundation focuses on Newspaper In Education, newspaper youth content, scholastic journalism and diversity. In this blog, you'll learn about products, programs and resources that emphasize the use of newspapers and other media by young people. You'll also learn about programs and activities that can help news media companies transform their cultures in order to grow business and increase readership and audience.

May 2009 - Posts

• Digital Tools, Part 3: Twitter

  Editor's note: This is the last in a three-part series on digital tools that already have or potentially could have an impact on NIE. The social networking Web site Twitter has been deemed both a blessing and a passing fad. Users post - "tweet" is the correct term - updates from their computers or cell phones to a group of subscribing "followers." The catch? Updates must be no longer than 140 characters each. In a world where more than 1.8 million people (and counting) follow actor Ashton Kutcher's every thought, could professionals benefit from this service? Some already have. Laura Walker, who works at a school near London, thinks Twitter can help educators. Alan Wilbourn, public information officer with Fayetteville (Ark.) Public Schools, is a Twitter user who posts updates regarding school system news. Some teachers have already made Twitter a part of the classroom. In addition to having a Twitter account for news, The Post-Standard in Syracuse set up a Twitter account for its Voices section, which is written by and for area teens. And the mass migration to Twitter doesn't stop at professionals. Carmel (Ind.) High School's school newspaper created a Twitter page to provide news updates. The system is in place. Only time will tell if Twitter becomes (or remains) a viable tool. -- By Rashad Mulla, NAA Foundation intern Posted May 21 2009, 10:30 AM by Marina Hendricks with no comments Filed under: Newspaper In Education, youth editorial alliance, scholastic journalism, Twitter

• Digital Tools, Part 2: The Kindle

  Editor's note: This is the second of a three-part series on digital tools that already have or potentially could have an impact on NIE. With the newspaper industry in the midst of an Internet-induced makeover, another tool is positioning itself to jump into the mix. Amazon's new Kindle DX handheld reading device can store 3,500 books and features a 9.7-inch screen, but the aesthetics are not all that's new. Textbooks, magazines and - yes - newspapers are all finding a home on the Kindle. Randy Bennett, NAA senior vice president of business development, recently discussed the Kindle on Bloomberg News. See the Digital Edge blog post here. Ryan Kim of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote on May 7 that The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Boston Globe "have signed on for a pilot program in which they will offer reduced-price subscriptions to select customers outside their traditional delivery area[s]." Can the Kindle save newspapers? Here are yes and no takes on the subject.   -- By Rashad Mulla, NAA Foundation intern Posted May 19 2009, 11:34 AM by Marina Hendricks with no comments Filed under: Newspaper In Education, kindle, newspapers

• Digital Tools, Part 1: E-editions

  Editor's note: This is the first of a three-part series on digital tools that already have or potentially could have an impact on NIE. Over the last few years, e-editions have become the primary cog in some NIE programs. These digital versions of newspapers cost less for consumers (subscriptions) as well as newspapers (printing), educators recently told reporter Ann Work of the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas. Some newspapers are beginning to take their e-editions to the next level. Maria Ravera, director of audience development at The Sacramento Bee, charted the success of her paper and others during an NAA webinar on April 21 (see PowerPoint presentation here). She found that papers such as The Orange County (Calif.) Register, the Houston Chronicle, The Denver Post and USA Today all have comprehensive e-edition services. Papers such as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution have upgraded their NIE programs to include - and sometimes feature - e-editions, while papers such as the Austin American-Statesman, The Huron Daily Tribune in Bad Axe, Mich., and The Boston Globe are focusing on possible benefits (going green and free access to e-editions for paid subscribers and newspaper employees). With the NIE and newspaper industry landscape changing quickly, The Bee itself is engaged in these and many other digital endeavors. - By Rashad Mulla, NAA Foundation intern Posted May 08 2009, 01:34 PM by Marina Hendricks with no comments Filed under: Newspaper In Education, e-edition, digital tools

• Kids Give Their Two Cents on the Newspaper

  Ever wonder what goes on inside the minds of the youngest newspaper readers? John Humbird Elementary School students in Cumberland, Md., can provide a glimpse. During the school's recent career day, students from grades three through five heard from Cumberland Times-News reporter Brigette Cosgrove in addition to other professionals. In a May 2 Times-News article, reporter Kevin Spradlin documented the students' pleasure at coming away with newfound nuggets of knowledge. Among other things, students learned about the "five Ws" (who, what, when, where, why), the types of stories the newspaper covers and the hard work needed to become a professional journalist. One student said his teacher brought a newspaper for the class to read every week. Judging by the student responses, it's probably not a bad move. -- By Rashad Mulla, NAA Foundation intern Posted May 06 2009, 02:58 PM by Marina Hendricks with no comments Filed under: young readers, Newspaper In Education