Innovation in Focus
Innovation in Focus is a series exploring new tech, tools and methods of storytelling for journalism. We interview experts, test ideas and provide our findings with templates, guidance and how-tos so you can implement the same innovations in your newsroom.
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Whether you’re a one-man band or a large metro, this series will help you take the next step in innovative journalism.
Email the editor: lytle@rjionline.org
Games for News: Inviting readers to participate in the story
Sisi Wei of ProPublica shares how news games invite readers to participate in the story and how games are a unique way to tell certain stories in journalism.
Games for News: Test your Como knowledge!
powered by Typeform This month’s Innovation in Focus illustrates how to use a news game to let your readers interact with news stories. Emily Kummerfeld created this game for readers in Columbia, Missouri, to test their knowledge of the city. Next week: Sisi Wei, deputy editor of news applications at ProPublica, shares how ProPublica approaches building news … Continued
Infographics: Tips and Tools
Infographic building is a skill that some of us just don’t have. If you have the time, you could learn to use Adobe After Effects or if you have the budget, hire someone who is a pro. But if you’re like us and had to dive in with no experience, here are a few tools that can … Continued
Infographics: Explaining the ADHD brain
Student Megan Smith used visual thinking to build infographics to explain how the ADHD brain functions. Watch our next segment with Ross Crooks, Column Five Media Co-Founder, about how to build strong inforgraphics to tell stories.
Infographics: Telling stories through visual thinking
Ross Crooks, co-founder of Column Five, shares how to use infographics successfully to tell stories in journalism.
Drone Storytelling: How to get started
This month we delved into drone storytelling for our Innovation in Focus project. Here are five tips to help you get started if you’re new to drones! 1. Your first drone should be one you can crash — a lot Buy a cheap drone for practice so you can crash it without putting a dent in your finances. … Continued
Drone storytelling: Outrunning mortality
Matt Rold shares his passion for running which has pushed him from the Columbia, Missouri, trails to ultramarathons.
Drone storytelling: Changing how we capture the world
Matthew Borowick shares his advice, methods and passion for drone storytelling. Watch our next segment to see a story we produced while utilizing drones to expand our visuals.
Data-driven storytelling: Bridges of Missouri
According to the Federal Highway Administration, Missouri has the fourth-highest number of structurally deficient bridges in the United States. This week for Innovation in Focus, Megan Smith investigates this number to learn why. Watch our second segment next week to hear from an expert on data-driven storytelling and why it’s vital to utilize at your news … Continued
Fact-checking: Journalism distilled to its essence
Angie Holan, editor of PolitiFact, speaks with us about fact-checking, how to get started and why it’s an important part of journalism today. Watch our next segment to see what Missouri residents thought about each of the claims we fact-checked and their opinions on fact-checking websites provided by news organizations.