ICT trigger answers

Recently I attended a workshop where the participants were trying to write a curriculum for teacher education using ICT. One of their worries was the issue of quality assurance. Now that I am in an online course, this issue has never been timelier.

For instance, I have seen people answering the trigger questions even before I see the questions themselves and now that I am about to attempt them, I feel like I am already being influenced by other people’s answers.

TRIGGER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

1. What ICT Journalism means

According to the online dictionary of computing, ICT is the study of the technology used to handle information and aid communication. The phrase was coined by Stevenson in his 1997 report to the UK government and promoted by the new National Curriculum documents for the UK in 2000.
According to the Wikipedia, Information technology (IT) or Information and communication(s) technology (ICT) is a broad subject concerned with technology and other aspects of managing and processing (converting, storing , transmiting e.t.c) information, especially in large organizations.
The Wicktionary defines journalism as the activity or profession of being a journalist. It defines a journalist as a reporter, or a person who makes a living by reporting on news and current events.
We can therefore conclude that ICT journalism is about using communication technologies to report, manage and process news and current events.

2. ICT can make a difference in Journalism.
ICT has already made tremendous differences in journalism.

a) It has created greater accessibility of news. For example, Nation Media Group sells its newspaper in a digital format worldwide through newsstand.com and NewspaperDirect.com, in addition 65,000 readers also read the online version of the newspaper at nationmedia.com . This in turn makes it easier to gather information.
b) It has created more markets for the journalists’ products. Though ICT related technologies, a local newspaper can have a global reach
c) It has created new products. For instance, using mobile phones to get information such as Nation Mobile
d) It has created a new breed of journalists, such as bloggers. Any one can thus write and publish stories online
e) It has eased the work of journalists by making the information gathering and dissemination much easier. The digital revolution has eased the handling of bulk information by reducing sizes of files, creating an easier interaction /compatibility of different file formats.

3. ICT does not kill newspapers – on the contrary, it builds them

I have had running arguments with news editors many a time, as they claim that once we post a story on the net, our rivals will pick it up. Sometimes they say people will not buy the paper after reading it online. But I believe online “papers” cannot kill newspapers because fundamentally their structures are different. They are intrinsically “different” products.

a) it creates internationally recognized brands
b) It speeds up the news gathering and dissemination process.

4. ICT changes Journalism in many ways

a) It has created a new breed of journalists such as bloggers.
b) Improves journalism by creating accessibility. Most major news organizations have a free online presence
c) Improves research on stories. For instance, on the BBC website, there are links to major stories. e.g. If you want to read on the now famous Kenyan Anti-corruption crusader, you will find all stories related having links next to the one you opened, in addition to other resources e.g. a download of his report and video or audio links. Here is a link to Githongo stories on BBC.
5. The most useful information I got through reading lecture notes

Somebody once said that “learning is finding out what you already know…” this statement rings true for the introductory part of the course so far.

6. The most important ICT tools in my news organisation

There is a database software system that integrates stories (copy), graphics, page planning and page layout system as well as the advertising component. It also integrates a system that manages stories coming in from the wire services as well as the regional bureaux. I think it is really important because, when it has been shut down for regular maintenance (like today) no output of stories take place at all!

For the online editions, there is a content management system that integrates both stories and adverts that go on the web.


How can we generate more stories about ICTs

a) By participating in discussion fora to find out the latest news
b) By reading extensively
c) By following up ICT news makers and industry leaders