MCLA Journalism Project: "Ahead Of The Curve"

By Jen ThomasPrint Story | Email Story
MCLA Associate Professor of Broadcast Media Michael Birch [Photo by Jen Thomas]
North Adams – The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) English/Communications department is amping up its curriculum with an eye on creating a tech-savvy pool of real-time ready journalists. "We want to be ahead of the curve on media," said Robert Bishoff, the chairperson of the English/Communications department. Titled the "Journalism at MCLA" project, the initiative aims to integrate various media forms into one interrelated curriculum, allowing students the opportunity to gain experience in all aspects of media production. This project will put MCLA’s journalism students ahead of their peers by ensuring they learn something about everything involved in the media/journalism profession. "At MCLA, we are aware of the world of media convergence and its impact on journalism," said Michael Birch, an associate professor of broadcast media who is at the helm of the project. "We’re developing a curriculum that will expose students to journalism which integrates radio, television, and print, but through the medium of an online source." "Today, news media institutions will require their staff to have not only excellent writing skills but also abilities in the use of digital photography and digital video," he continued. "Our research has told us that news media find that new recruits with these skills are in short supply." Making Changes Developed in 2005, the project completed Phase 1 with the opening of a new digital television studio in January. Updating the equipment in the studio (which included acquiring four new cameras, a new lighting system, new VCRs, audio board, character generator, and large screen LCD monitor wall) cost the college nearly $250,000, according to Birch. The amount was paid through a combination of a $50,000 Title III Department of Education grant and $193,000 from the College’s annual budget. The next phase of the project means upgrading more technology. "We’re expecting further investment," Birch said. "The next phase of the project involves a server which enables broadcast journalists to work real time on stories that will go to air either on radio or television – live." Birch explained that the up-to-date technology would be supplied by Avid Technology Inc.’s media creation tools. Avid is a world leader in technology used in media production and the company supplies their products to 95 percent of all news media institutions and 85 percent of movie productions. "This means students learning these skills in our Avid labs will be at an advantage when applying for a job of their choice because they’re already knowledgeable of the technology required to do the job," Birch said. "We want to give students the opportunity to experiment with different types of media," said Bishoff. "We need to catch up on the profession." A second component involves utilizing "CNN Newsource in the Classroom," a daily news service that provides up to 200 stories from CNN for use in college media. "This will widen the students’ knowledge about news to national and international levels," Birch said. "The ‘Journalism at MCLA’ project will cover local, national, and global aspects of news." In order to make these necessary changes, the English/Communications department needs experienced professionals on staff. "We are also seeking new faculty at this time who will be able to facilitate our students through this new curriculum," said Birch. Currently, the college is attempting to fill an associate professor opening in radio broadcasting. The new faculty member will be expected to teach courses across the proposed curriculum, concentrating on integrated media projects. New Coursework The English/Communications department hopes to offer more integrated journalism classes as early as the fall semester. The new curriculum is still in the development stages. "We’re upgrading the curriculum to match the technology and the philosophy of the media, and we’re making movement in that direction, but we’re introducing the new courses slowly," said Bishoff. He was unable to pinpoint when the curriculum changes would be complete, however, Bishoff said he expects students entering MCLA in the 2008-2009 school year would graduate in the new program. Whether students receive a degree under the fully integrated journalism curriculum, Birch thinks the new courses will have a positive impact. "At MCLA, the development of our new curriculum is aimed at equipping students not just with these technical skills, but more importantly with critical thinking and writing competencies." True To The Art Though the college seeks to update their existing media offerings, the professors also want to remain true to the art of storytelling, the heart of the English department. "We just want to focus on differences in storytelling in the media," said Bishoff. "Media absolutely has to be creative," said Birch. "The new curriculum is about how stories may be told in new and creative ways." Jen Thomas may be reached via e-mail at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at 413-663-3384 ext. 23.
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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 
 
The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 
 
"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."
 
LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 
 
"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.
 
The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.
 
"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back. 
 
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