ilearn for Environment Journalists

There’s a whole lot of science to learn for environment journalists coming from a background in the humanities. Which is why we’ve designed a special online course for journalists taking part in the Focus workshops.

The ‘Focus on the Environment’ training has been very hands-on.

NGO staff who’ve attended the media skills workshops have found themselves being interviewed – and even interviewing others.

The journalists have been carrying out exercises, holding debates, going on visits, and reviewing environmental reports. And, of course, they’ve been doing what they do best: writing campaigning pieces for the newspapers or short documentaries for television.

But the organisers have always been aware there’s a whole lot of science to learn, especially for journalists coming from a background in the humanities.

And that is why they’ve designed a special online course in environmental issues for journalists taking part in the Focus workshops.

It uses iLearn – the BBC World Service Trust’s own online learning system, especially developed for journalists worldwide.

It’s already been used by 200 Indian journalists on another BBC WST project. Courses were delivered in English, Hindi, Tamil and Bengali.

The system’s also in use in Sri Lanka, Russia, Indonesia, Somalia, the Middle East and is about to be introduced in Ukraine, Georgia, Iran and China.

Each journalist is issued with a username and password which allows them to access the courses through this site (http://www.i-learn.co.uk/focus)

They can then access the learning content in their own time and at their own pace. All that is required is that they have access to a computer connected to the internet.

Two courses have been designed – one for print journalists; the other for those working in TV. Each is made up of a number of modules, like chapters, that take them through the key issues.

The courses cover:

• The principles of ‘beat’ reporting – covering a specialist subject
• Key environmental issues
• Understanding science and scientists
• Dealing with academics
• Reporting numbers
• Reporting risks
• Mounting a newspaper campaign (print)
• Making a TV documentary (TV)

The modules have been written by experienced specialists working for the BBC or its partner, the Guardian Foundation.

Those who successfully complete the courses will be awarded a BBC iLearn certificate.

You can download an introductory guide to iLearn by clicking here.