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Making News
Students get hands-on experience
By D.A. WILKINSON
COLUMBIANA
Teacher Jayson Yeagley has upgraded what was called “television production” at Columbiana High School.
“If you really want a better name, it would be broadcast journalism,” he said Monday.
He made the change at the start of this school year after only four students remained after last summer’s graduation. Only 12 students are allowed in the course.
Last year, the program took a look at the Columbiana Maze Craze at the corner of state Routes 7 and 14.
This year, the class has regular assignments of areas on which to do stories: the high, middle and elementary schools, the community and sports.
Caroline Kimpel, 17, is a senior at Columbiana and is the director within the class.
“I’ve always had an interest in the news,” she said. “It’s hands-on. You don’t get a lot of classes like that.”
Yeagley calls it “backpack journalism.” Students, he explains, can throw a video camera into a backpack and go out and do stories.
From the education viewpoint, he said: “The students are improving their skill set. Organization is really important. It’s how to tell a story.”
Students can learn by questioning, “Is this something we should tell?” Yeagley said.
Students can learn how to edit their footage by using computers to mix sound and pictures just like professionals. The students also can, if needed, edit their video pieces while on the fly, just like pros.