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J-Ideas announces fund-raising campaign Warren Watson, director, announced today the creation of an annual fund-raising campaign to support J-Ideas, Ball State’s scholastic journalism and First Amendment institute. Parties are invited to give $25 or more to the J-Ideas Foundation to support future activities of the program. Donations are tax deductible. <more> FIRST VOICES The First Amendment and Fantasy Baseball. At first blush, strange bedfellows. But a U.S. Supreme Court decision this week showed that the First Amendment indeed can be debated between the base lines.<more> -Principals and the First Amendment -Remembering a crusader More First Thoughts: journalism teacher Tom Gayda speaks out Student journalists scoop professional press
Mile high with the First Amendment... We were north of the Mile High City near the Rocky Mountains. The principals were voluntarily descending—not from the tall peaks but from their position abutting the summit of school hierarchy. When they reached level ground, we could see each other more clearly. And clear sight leads to insight. <more > |
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J-Ideas stepping up efforts in digital education By J-Ideas staff Ball State’s First Amendment institute is living up to its official name – Institute for Digital Education, Activities and Scholarship -- by partnering to offer online education in journalism and the Bill of Rights. Training will be done in conjunction with the Poynter Institute’s NewsU, Apple’s iTunesU and the Ball State Teachers College. "We've increased digital and online training activities. It's the way to go in this day and age, whether it's for students, teachers or administrators. You can count on J-Ideas continuing to move in that direction," said Warren Watson, director of J-Ideas, based in the Department of Journalism, College of Communication, Information and Media. The director noted that J-Ideas will still offer tailored and on-site training and education, but that it hopes to extend its reach in the online environment. He said J-Ideas is exploring additional online ventures with partners at Ball State, including other CCIM divisions and the Department of Political Science, as well as Teachers College. “In the last year, we have made big moves online, including the development of digital video products, plus the redevelopment of our web site -- jideas.org. “This new emphasis online is a logical extension,” said Watson. The NewsU course, “First Amendment for the High School Journalist,” can be accessed at newsu.org. This Poynter course is designed to help high school students gain a better understanding of their rights under the First Amendment as well as gain insight into laws governing freedom of speech and press in high schools. This course offers interactive activities, allowing students to learn more about their First Amendment rights. The course is offered free to all NewsU members. Membership is free at newsu.org. According to Betsy Ahlersmeyer, an instructor of journalism at Muncie’s University Schools (Burris and Indiana Academy), the NewsU course is an innovative teaching tool, “especially for a teacher without much background knowledge on the First Amendment.” With Ball State’s Department of Educational Leadership, J-Ideas is offering through iTunesU platform a series of pilot video podcasts called the “First Amendment in Public Schools.” This program addresses the state of free expression in schools, using the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s “Future of the First Amendment” study as a base. The videos explain the complex state of school media law. The iTunesU course is currently offered as a free preview. A full course will be offered beginning this summer. A graduate-level, online graduate course, “The Administrator and The First Amendment,” will be offered for the fifth time by the Department of Educational Leadership in Teachers College and J-Ideas. The interactive course, developed in 2005, exposes principals and administrators to the background and application of the First Amendment in a public school setting. The course will be offered over eight weeks this summer beginning the week of May 12. “We think the program helps strike a balance between student free speech and safety concerns,” said Watson. It exposes students to the latest information about the First Amendment and media law. In the course, which will also be offered in the fall semester, students utilize discussion boards and online videos. They also are expected to complete written assignments. The course can be taken for graduate or CRU credit, said Watson. “The ability to access course material 24/7 had advantages at times,” said Ron Owings, principal of Westfield High School and a student in the fall 2007 offering of the course, “It was easier for me than meeting at a regular time each week or commuting to a campus.” More information on the course, as well as background on J-Ideas’s other digital training initiatives, including its library of DVD education products, is available by calling J-Ideas at 1-765-285-8923 or visiting J-Ideas' products page.
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