Using These Modules

The J-School's One Newsroom: journalists work in a space with yellow walls and gray carpet. There are logos for the Missourian, KBIA and KOMU on the walls.

Making the Most of These Modules

Teachers like you have been using these modules in their classes since their release in 2019. Since that time, we've been updating them to adapt to best practices in the teaching of scholastic journalism, to encourage the use of emerging technologies and to keep up with current events. 

Over the years, we've had fielded questions about how to make the most out of using this content. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions.  

How do I access the modules? 

If you're on our website, you've already got full access to all of the content! It's open source and free for you in whatever way serves you and your students best. We purposely produced this site using Google Sites and elements of the Google Suite with the hope that if you're school uses Google Classroom or Google Apps for Education, you could duplicate the content and put it directly into your learning management system. 

May I adapt the content, or do I need to use it as presented?

By all means, if there are additions or edits that you'd like to make when using this content in your classroom, please do! Our goal is to provide you with complete lessons which serve as a starting off point. We understand that you might want to expand upon certain points (or maybe leave things out), provide local examples from your hometown, change the language to be more grade-level appropriate, etc. 

I've tried to access a section on the site and can't. What should I do? 

We're sorry that happened. Sometimes links break or content moves, and we're not aware of it. If you are trying to access something and can't, please email Professor Amy Simons at simonsa@missouri.edu and she will troubleshoot it for you as soon as possible. 

Is there a recommended order in which I should teach these modules? 

Every teacher's needs are going to be different. Some might want to use one or two or three of the modules, some might want to use all of them! That's why we placed the modules in alphabetical order on our homepage -- so that you can find them easily by topic. 

We do have a recommended order you can follow, which takes into account the background knowledge students will need to develop and the skills they will need to build as they move from one module to the next. 

That order is as follows:


Wow! This is great! Is this it... or is there more? 

In addition to this site, there is a Facebook group that you can join to connect with select members of the Missouri School of Journalism faculty, scholastic journalism teachers from across the U.S. and professional journalists. It's a great way to share resources and engage colleagues from near and far!

Help! I'm overwelmed! I'm so new to this, and I don't even know where to start. Can you help me?

Yes! The Missouri School of Journalism is committed to supporting scholastic journalism in all its forms. Professor Amy Simons is available to offer one-on-one consultations. Just email her at simonsa@missouri.edu to set up an appointment. With more than 15 years newsroom experience and an extensive background in instructional design and curriculum development, you'll find she'll be just the person you need to get you feeling "unstuck."

We also recommend joining our Facebook group for additional support. 

This is great... and I have some suggestions to make it even better. How can I share those?

Thank you! We'd love to hear your feedback. Please email Professor Amy Simons at simonsa@missouri.edu with your suggestions, recommendations and general feedback. We're also always considering what modules we need to add to this program. So, if you have ideas on what you'd like for us to consider next, please share those, too!