User:MikyM/Wikinews course at the Faculty of Media and Communication of Singidunum University
- Note: This is a short summary in English. A detailed description of the entire project and research is available in Serbian
Wikinews course at the Faculty of Media and Communication of Singidunum University
Introduction
[edit]The Wikinews course at the Faculty of Media and Communication aimed to introduce a new method of training students. As part of efforts to enhance practical education and provide students with access to modern forms of journalistic practice, the Faculty of Media and Communication in Belgrade implemented a pilot course in 2010 in cooperation with the Wikinews editorial team and the Ebart Media Archive. The goal of the course was to offer students hands-on knowledge and skills in online journalism while also investigating the effects of this new teaching model within media education.
Methodology and Organization of the Course
[edit]The course was conducted between March and November 2010, lasting for eight months. Initially planned as a three-month program, it was extended due to the impressive results and high participant interest. The course was structured into four phases, with students working in the faculty's premises, made possible by the digital nature of the Wikinews editorial team and technical support from its partners. Students had access to the internet and the Ebart digital archive, enabling them to work in a real media environment.
Course Goals and Content
[edit]The primary objective of the project was to provide practical training in online journalism for students, as well as to develop a pool of advanced collaborators who could contribute to regular content creation on Wikinews. Additional goals included:
- Developing critical reading skills and news recognition,
- Practically learning journalism ethics,
- Using modern digital tools in everyday journalistic work,
- Encouraging teamwork in media content production.
The thematic units of the course covered the following areas:
- Introduction to new media
- Portals, events, and news sources
- Structure of a journalistic story and written forms
- Writing and editing rules for Wikinews
- Field reporting and event coverage
- Project results and research conclusions
Full list of main topics and skills that are training were:
- Introduction to new media
- Internet
- Portal
- Events and news
- News sources
- Journalistic Writing
- Criteria of good writing
- The structure of a journalistic story
- The inverted pyramid rule
- News
- Forms of journalistic writing (expression)
- Wikinews
- How to write for online media
- Getting to know Wikinews
- Writing rules for Wikinews
- News editing
- Reporting from the field
- Original reportage
- Manifestations and events covering
Course Results
[edit]- Throughout the course, students:
- Processed over 900 news articles
- Covered two major cultural events: Cinema City (a film festival) and Night of Museums (the largest GLAM event)
- Gained practical knowledge in working with electronic archives and indexes
- Made significant progress in understanding and applying neutral and objective writing styles.
Research within the project showed that most participants, although students of media studies, had limited prior experience with using media archives or writing for digital platforms. However, during the course, all participants made substantial progress. They learned how text indexing works and how to find the desired information or specific newspaper articles. They successfully applied what they had learned in the tasks assigned, especially in gathering additional information, beyond what PR services provide or what visitors can see or hear themselves.
Additional Conclusions and Significance of Collaboration
[edit]The project demonstrated that Wikinews can be an excellent platform for both learning and practical training. The environment at the faculty and open access to the media archive provided students with the opportunity to work in conditions similar to those found in professional newsrooms. This approach not only provided technical support but also infrastructure necessary for effective content creation and publishing. In this setting, both Wikinews and the students were able to develop a two-way benefit: students gained practical knowledge, while Wikinews was enriched with new, high-quality content. Collaborating with partners such as the Ebart Media Archive showed that it is possible to create an excellent platform for the development of new editors, users, and sources of information. These partners contribute not only technical and infrastructural resources but also open new opportunities for research and journalistic projects, as well as for involving the wider public in media processes.
This collaboration between Wikinews and the Faculty of Media and Communication has proven to be an outstanding source of new editors, users, and information, further emphasizing the significance of open-access environments and practical training in modern journalism.
Conclusion
[edit]The pilot project of the Wikinews course confirmed that innovative teaching formats based on practical work and digital infrastructure can significantly enhance media education. Working within a real media environment, with mentoring support and the possibility of collaboration with an existing editorial team, proved to be an extremely effective model for educating students. In addition to individual progress, the project showed potential for expanding this model to other faculties, with the possibility of developing systematic investigative journalism projects and applying ethical standards in practice. Despite the financial limitations that led to the project’s conclusion after eight months, the conclusions indicate the need for continued development of similar programs in media education.