Mobile journalism is the answer to our problems at Kennedy High School. It will allow us to produce content no matter where we are or what we have with us.
Mobile journalism seems like the wave of the future. It is obvious that cell phones are now capable of production quality videos and audio. My media class has been working on implementing our phones into our website, but we have been falling short. With the sources from this week’s assignment I am encouraged to make another run at it.
One of the best sources this week was an article about an Irish broadcast company using mobile journalism to create content for social media. It had two examples that showed the quality that can be achieved using I phones, tripods and attachable mics. All of the equipment they used is easily obtainable and within most high school budgets. The media they are creating allows them to get tv style content out to people who only consume news on social media.
The Mobile Journalism Manual introduces some great points that make using cell phones even more attractive to a high school newsroom. Just by using cell phones, it already makes sense to high school advisers, but adding in the fact that cell phones actually put kids at ease, well, that is like having your cake and eating it, too. According to the manual cell phones are discreet. That is an understatement in a high school where they are accepted and a part of the culture. If not the culture. No one is going to question a cell phone getting stuck in their face, but students always shy away from the cameras. So that makes cell phones accessible, affordable, discreet and comfortable for the interviewee.
One of the problems I am working to overcome with cell phones is the fact that journalism students seem to hold a grudge against them. Journalism students always want the best new camera, with the wireless mic, windscreen and the ability to shoot in 4k. I admit it might be my fault. I love shiny new toys. After the readings this week I need to walk this back and find a way to get my students excited about creating great content. If they can do that it does not matter how they make it. What matters is that we can afford to make it and put the tools into their hands.
As this class progresses I am looking forward to figuring out how to encourage my students to create more mobile journalism. There are so many quick things we can be doing at our games, assemblies, concerts and other events. Our parents love videos and photos of their students, and we need to utilize that to get them to our site and consuming our media.
The BBC posted an article that does a good job of showing off the discreteness of using a cell phone. It takes us through one reporter’s journey using his cell phone to film riots in 2011. If cell phones can be used to film something as fast paced as riots, that means they can handle the world we live in every day.
Using cell phones to create media is something that is attainable for all high school journalism programs. It allows us as advisers to concentrate on teaching on tools we already have in the classroom. That means less fundraising and more creating.
Steven Tolly's Journey: Journalism Education and Me 