Today's teaching . . .
Gerry Kreibich writes:
I intended to balance the picture here with my own update postscript based on what the NCTJ's own website says about the 38 universities, colleges and news organisations that are accredited (as at January 2007) to run journalism courses.
But, since outline details of the degrees, diplomas and certificates on offer are readily available elsewhere, it seems more sensible to invite contributions from those actually involved in the present-day teaching of journalism - the ones who know how it has developed, what its priorities are, how it is actually tackled day by day.
E-mails would be welcome (gerry_kreibich@yahoo.co.uk) Your input could bring up to date the story that began in July 1963 with that first-ever 'week-long practical course for young reporters' . . .
A Nottingham lecturer has responded (see below) and others have promised to do so . . .
Dave Welford, journalism lecturer at Nottingham
Trent University, writes:
I missed out on the Richmond experience, opting instead for one of the university postgraduate courses in the 80s that sounded much grander. But your memoirs bring back similar happy memories of student journalism.
I made the move into academia aged 38 after working on the Derby Telegraph and Derbyshire Times, and now have seven years’ experience of seeing raw recruits turning up in autumn with little or no knowledge of reporting, then departing less than a year later armed with NCTJ certificates and heading off for jobs with regional (and occasionally national) newspapers.
There have been occasions similar to those outlined in your memoirs when I’ve moaned about the red tape involved in teaching, and moments that I’ve cursed such a heavy marking workload. But that goes with the territory. If you’re going to try to knock people into shape you’ve got to give them plenty of work to do, then cover it with red ink!
There have also been plenty of times when I’d have loved to be back in the newsroom after a big story has broken, but on the whole I haven’t regretted for a second my move into lecturing. Your memoirs put into words a lot of my feelings about teaching, working with (mostly) keen young minds and seeing them land their first job just a matter of months after landing at Nottingham. It’s a great read for both lecturers and students alike, especially the wise words on death knocks and interviewing.
Today's journalism training - despite changes like the internet - really isn’t very different after all.
There’s a cheque for a tenner winging its way to Temple Walk for the priest in Accra. If I get a copy of the memoirs sent to the address below that would be a bonus.
All the best,
Dave
Tel: +44 (0) 115 848 5808 (office)
Email: dave.welford@ntu.ac.uk
http://www.ntu.ac.uk/cbj
Dave Welford
Senior Lecturer
Room 108
The Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism
The Nottingham Trent University
York House
Mansfield Road
Nottingham NG1 3JB
United Kingdom
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