Innovations in College Journalism Education at Select Institutions (2015)

Undergraduates: Kendra Benner, N/A N/A N/A N/A

Faculty Advisor: Lois Boynton
Department: Journalism & Mass Communication

---

This paper inquires into current innovations in college journalism education. It aims to identify how innovations at select institutions were developed and put into effect; the goals, motivations, and processes of the educators who work with the innovations; and what¿¿¿s working in journalism education innovation. Furthermore, it examines the role of evaluation in innovation, the characteristics of an innovator, and the meaning of innovation. _x000D_
The author interviewed college journalism and strategic communication educators who were identified as innovators by their peers. Participants included undergraduate and graduate educators at institutions in the U.S. and Spain, including UNC-Chapel Hill, Syracuse University, University of Florida, and University of Navarra._x000D_
This paper draws connections between what the innovators described as their successful practices and how they recommend approaching evaluation when innovating. Additionally, it discusses what the innovators believe demarcates an innovator and how they define innovation._x000D_
The author hopes that this paper (1) provides information on new things that are happening in journalism education (there is hope for the future of journalism!), (2) helps college journalism educators innovate more and innovate more effectively in the rapidly changing media world through looking at these select innovations, and (3) provides a jumping off point for future researchers who study journalism education innovations on a broader scale.