How Are AI and Digital Tools Transforming Journalism and Education? Jeremy Caplan, Glasp Talk #26

TL;DR

AI and digital tools are helping journalists organize information, create content, and launch sustainable niche ventures with global reach. Jeremy Caplan explains how his Startup Sprint class guides students through product design, community engagement, audience growth, revenue, and costs, while his developing AI course emphasizes effective, creative, and ethical use. Read on for his practical framework for entrepreneurial journalism.

Transcript

hi everyone welcome back to another episode of Gras talk today we are excited to have Jeremy kaan with us and Jeremy is the director of teaching and learning at C's Craig Newar Graduate School of Journalism where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of creative and entrepreneurial journalists and he's also the author of Wonder too... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🎓 Kahn's entrepreneurial journalism class aims to equip students with practical skills to create niche journalism projects while focusing on sustainability.
• 🧑‍🎓 The SKIN framework (Skills, Knowledge, Interests, Network) serves as a foundational tool for students to assess their capabilities and inspire innovation.
• 👻 Consistent habits and routines in writing and learning are crucial for aspiring journalists, allowing them to progress steadily.
• 💁 AI is positioned to revolutionize journalism by simplifying the organization of information, enhancing content creation, and automating time-consuming tasks.
• 🧑‍🎓 Networking among students and alumni fosters collaboration and support, essential for thriving in entrepreneurship and journalism.
• 🗯️ Understanding different perspectives on productivity tools can help journalists choose the right resources tailored to their unique needs.
• 🤑 The importance of seeking inspiration from diverse experiences can lead to richer storytelling and innovative approaches within journalism.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does Jeremy Caplan teach in the Startup Sprint class?

Startup Sprint teaches students how to create micro-ventures in journalism, including newsletters, podcasts, and niche sites. Students consider the product, content, format, style, purpose, impact, audience, community, revenue, and costs.

Q: How does Startup Sprint help students create sustainable journalism ventures?

The class covers building or engaging a community and growing an audience. It also asks students to generate revenue, manage costs, and make their ventures financially viable, impactful, and meaningful.

Q: Can students join Startup Sprint without a journalism venture idea?

Yes. Some students arrive with only a curiosity or question, while others already serve a community and want to restart, improve, or serve it differently.

Q: What is the first thing Jeremy Caplan teaches aspiring entrepreneurial journalists?

Caplan starts with inspiration and motivation. He shows examples of creative entrepreneurial journalists, including former students and program participants, so current students can see that people like them have built new ventures.

Q: Why can individual journalists create their own ventures today?

Journalists can now reach people around the world using devices in their pockets or laptops at very little, if any, cost. Caplan contrasts this access with an earlier period when individuals lacked press power, substantial capital, and expensive broadcast studios.

Q: What mindset does Jeremy Caplan encourage in journalism students?

He encourages an open, creative, curious, and empowered mindset. Students learn that they can create their own niche journalism ventures instead of working only for established organizations.

Q: How does Jeremy Caplan plan to teach AI for journalism?

Caplan is developing a class about how journalists can capitalize on AI and use it effectively, creatively, and ethically. The class will also examine how AI is affecting journalism.

Q: What is Jeremy Caplan's SKIN framework?

The SKIN framework asks students to examine their skills, knowledge, interests, and network. It supports an inward-looking approach to entrepreneurship by helping them identify capabilities that could position them to create something impactful.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Who: Jeremy Caplan is Director of Teaching and Learning at CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.

• Who: Caplan writes Wondertools, a newsletter about practical tools that streamline daily life and maximize productivity.

• Definition: Startup Sprint is an entrepreneurial journalism class focused on creating sustainable, meaningful, and impactful micro-ventures.

• Compare: Students may develop a newsletter, podcast, or niche site as their journalism micro-venture.

• Step 1: Find inspiration through examples of creative entrepreneurial journalists, including former students and program participants.

• Step 2: Define the product, content, format, style, purpose, and intended impact.

• Step 3: Build or engage a community and grow an audience around the venture.

• Step 4: Generate revenue and manage costs so the venture becomes sustainable and viable.

• Tool: Devices and laptops let individual journalists reach people around the world at very little, if any, cost.

• Definition: SKIN represents the skills, knowledge, interests, and network that can support an impactful venture.

• Compare: Entrepreneurship can begin with an external community problem or an inward examination of personal capabilities.

• Tool: Caplan's developing AI class emphasizes effective, creative, and ethical uses of AI in journalism.