The Benefits of Journalism

Freshly sharpened pencils and the smell of ink pens followed by tapping keys. Some common sights, sounds and smells from the Journalism class. Most of the time students (and sometimes adults) believe that class is just assignments and grades, and it is for most classes. But it’s different for Buford’s Journalism class.

It’s not just work and grades; it’s actual teaching–but a different kind of teaching. True, students need to know basic calculations and how to write essays, but they don’t get taught how to communicate in every class. Students are told they need to, but aren’t taught how to. The Journalism class covers many areas of Communications, a career field with a rapidly growing resurgence in need. The course encourages students to go out and talk to people and engage in interviews, create engaging content across different mediums like photography and videography, and collaborate with others to produce a student-run news site and broadcast, The Stinger.

Journalism class co-instructor Matthew Collier says, “We try to make it very similar to a workplace environment. We give a lot of responsibility to the students. We give them several weeks of basic instruction on the different elements of journalism. We give them lots of trust and creative freedom in the stuff that they chose to do–  then they have to hold to a standard. We can trust them to be working on what needs to be done.” The class is set up as a simulation of a workplace that teaches students the skills many will need regardless of the work field they choose.

Communication is important especially in a workplace environment because one small miscommunication can derail an entire project, ¨It’s the key component for journalism; whatever medium you do, videos, articles, or broadcasting, getting that message across clear so that your coworkers can know what’s going on and what needs to get done. It’s also important in your own business; you need to communicate with clients, business partners, customers, and employees.” Collier said.

Students interested in joining the Journalism class should speak with Mr. Collier and their Guidance Counselor.