Preconvention workshops
Thursday, April 24
Start your convention experience early with a preconvention workshop on Thursday, April 24. These half-day and full-day workshops offer in-depth instruction in a specific track.
Additional fees and advance registration are required. Last day to register is April 4 or when workshops reach capacity.
Spring 2025 offerings:
Preconvention workshop: Artificial intelligence in the classroom and newsroom | $40
1-5 p.m. Limit 40.
Artificial intelligence is not just a passing fad. It’s here to stay. It is going to learn more and do more. AI tools such as Firefly and ChatGPT are as dumb today as they’ll ever be. In this session, you’ll learn how AI can be used in the student classroom and newsroom. The workshop will also feature policies teachers and editors need regarding AI and the ethics of using such tools. The workshop is open to both students and advisers.
Required materials: Either a laptop or tablet device.
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Preconvention workshop: Audio journalism — Podcasting 101 | $40
1-5 p.m. Limit 40.
This half-day workshop will introduce podcasting basics. The workshop will feature audio storytelling, listening to examples of podcasts for structure, transitions and storytelling devices, and creating your own short audio stories. The workshop will also include a brief overview of technical tools. This session is open to both students and advisers.
Required materials: A phone with audio recording capabilities and a laptop. A small group of students may share one laptop.
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Preconvention workshop: Broadcast and video storytelling | $60
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 50.
In this hands-on workshop, beginning and intermediate students will learn the fundamentals of creating an effective news package from the ground up.
Led by Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting instructors, this workshop includes videography, sound recording, editing and story structure. Working in small teams, participants will spend the morning developing their videography skills and planning a story, and the afternoon shooting and editing that story.
Required materials: Participants must bring their own video cameras, tripods, microphones and laptops with editing software. Please test and become familiar with your equipment before attending the session, as the presenters may not be familiar with your specific hardware/software.
Instructors: Dave Davis and Brandon Goodwin, Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting
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Preconvention workshop: Digital photography | $60
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 70.
Designed for photographers who have at least one year’s experience shooting for their publications, this intensive workshop will cover composition, camera controls and theory, lighting, cropping and workflow.
Led by two expert photography instructors, participants will receive instruction and be given a photo story assignment, and go on a guided photo walk after lunch. Following the photo shoot, the instructors will critique students’ work and offer editing tips and techniques.
Required materials: An off-site permission form for each student attending. Participants must also bring a digital camera.
Recommended materials: Laptop computer with the photo-editing program (Photoshop, Lightroom) they will use.
Instructors: Jed Palmer, CJE, Centennial, Colorado; Mike Simons, Corning-Painted Post (New York) High School
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Preconvention workshop: Editorial leadership | $60
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 40.
Your publication is up and running. Now it’s time to refine your leadership skills and put into practice the best methods for growing staffers, mediating conflict and creating a culture of excellence. In this workshop, participants will explore leadership styles and strategies, feedback protocols, motivating staffers, and managing workflow.
You will leave this class with the tools you need to create communication pathways, an understanding of who you are as a leader and how that interacts with others’ styles, and strategies to grow your staff with positive and productive feedback.
Instructor: Tracy Anderson, Community High School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Preconvention workshop: Exploring the power of light | $40
1-5 p.m. Limit 40.
Photography means to “write with light.” In this half-day workshop, participants (both students and teachers) will be challenged to practice seeing light in a new way. The time will include some lecture, some time to take photos and will wrap up with a critique and selection of the best images by the class.
Required materials: A camera. It can be a DSLR, mirrorless camera or your phone. While the class won’t spend time on how to use your camera, the instructor will be glad to offer some tips for using it, if you have questions.
Instructor: Mark Murray, Association of Texas Photography Instructors
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Preconvention workshop: Foundations of print design | $60
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 40.
During this intensive, hands-on design seminar, students will learn and practice concepts for print publications.
Suitable for yearbook, newspaper and newsmagazine staff members and their advisers, the workshop will cover typography, space, color, photo packaging and application of current design trends. Beginners will learn how to apply principles of design and create pages, spreads or packages while advanced students will have the opportunity to redesign work in progress or experiment with more complex concepts.
Throughout the workshop, students will have opportunities to interact, ask questions, find inspiration, apply feedback and gain ideas for improving design lessons and systems for their own staff back at school.
Required materials: Laptop with appropriate design software such as Adobe InDesign
Recommended materials: A few current magazines or digital access to inspiration (idea files, mood boards, Pinterest, screenshots, etc.)
Instructor: Sarah Nichols, MJE, Whitney High School, Rocklin, California
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Preconvention workshop: Law of the student press | $40
1-5 p.m. Limit 40.
In this crash course on media law, you’ll learn how to avoid major legal pitfalls and use the law to improve your reporting. The Student Press Law Center’s resident legal experts will provide an overview of censorship, libel, invasion of privacy, copyright, access to records and meetings, and reporter’s privilege.
Instructors: Jonathan Gaston-Falk and Mike Hiestand, Student Press Law Center
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Preconvention workshop: Online — Social branding and multimedia reporting | $60
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 40.
Is your website a beige flag? Do your social accounts need a glow-up? This workshop will cover branding essentials and multimedia trends, with some hands-on mobile reporting experience and multimedia assignment planning tools. We’ll talk through essential online policies, and experiment with programs like Adobe Express and KnightLab. The session includes the option for a mini-critique of your news site or social media account. Whether you’re launching, expanding or rebranding, this session has something to level up your online presence.
Required materials: Smartphone and laptop/tablet.
Instructor: Kathryn Campbell, CJE, Saint Paul (Minnesota) Academy and Summit School
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Preconvention workshop: Writers’ workshop | $60
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 50.
If you’re looking for ways to sharpen and brighten your writing so others will clamor to read it, this interactive workshop is for you. This seminar will entertain and inspire as we analyze excellent writing and apply the pros’ techniques to your work.
Whether you need to write a catchy headline or a 2,000-word feature, you’ll learn to improve every aspect of your writing as we discuss leads, voice, narrative style and literary devices to tighten and strengthen your writing.
Instructor: Barbara Tholen, MJE, Lawrence (Kansas) High School
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Preconvention workshop: Yearbook leadership jumpstart | $60
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limit 70.
Are you ready to get a jump start on planning your 2026 yearbook? Join two expert yearbook advisers for a day of intensive planning and goal setting, leadership training and theme development. Schools can send an individual student or groups of up to 10. Be ready to brainstorm and make decisions on everything from staff structure to color schemes. At the end of the day you will have built a foundation for your next book.
Required materials: Access to the files for your current or most recent yearbook, school calendar, page counts, staff life and any other planning tools.
Instructors: Carrie Faust, CJE, Smoky Hill High School, Aurora, Colorado; Annie Gorenstein-Falkenberg, MJE, Longmont (Colorado) High School