eCampus streamlines journalism training

By Mark Anthony Smith
The Society of Professional Journalists is making journalism training cheaper and easier for members with its new eCampus program.
The online video program will offer seven vignettes focusing on social media and how to use a flip camera, said Chris Vachon, SPJ’s associate executive director.
eCampus will be unveiled during SPJ’s 2010 convention in Las Vegas.
Vachon said the program would fill a void for many journalists, especially those who don’t have the time or money to attend conventions and seminars offered by SPJ and other organizations.
Members will be able to access the videos for free, she said, and SPJ will offer more videos on other topics as the program grows.
“We hope to add more programs by the end of the year,” said Vachon.
Joe Skeel, SPJ’s executive director, said he thinks the new program will be beneficial because the curriculum was designed using feedback from fellow journalists and editors.
“They asked and we listened,” he said.
Skeel said SPJ also wants local chapters to contribute to the eCampus program.
Vachon said the training program would be available after the convention at www.spj.org/trainingondemand.asp.
After logging in, members will be redirected to a page where they can choose from among the 15- to 30-minute training videos.