Get Support

Below you'll find answers to commonly asked questions.
Need something else? Just ask us.
  • Are there any pre-requisites for self-directed courses?

    Anyone can enroll in our self-directed courses. Our Journalism Basics are typically designed for people with little or no professional background, ideal for students, the general public with an interest in journalism, or those new to the field. The Software and Technical Training modules cover the most basic through more advanced material in the same module.

  • Can several people attend a live Webinar with one registration?

    Technically, one registration for the Webinar buys one connection for the event. We do encourage our participants to gather as many people as they like around a computer or projector to watch the live event together. We recommend that you have speakers or use a good conference phone so everyone can hear the audio portion and a projector so everyone can see the screencast presentation. You also will need to determine how interactive polling questions asked during the Webinar will be answered. If you are participating with a group, we encourage you to test (http://www.newsu.org/webinartest) and enter the event early.

    Anybody wanting to join the Webinar from a different location will have to sign up individually (with their own username) and be charged per individual. Only one person can connect to the Webinar with your username. At this time, there are no discounts for groups from one organization.

  • Do I need special software?

    No special software is needed. NewsU’s interactive learning courses are Web-based. Depending on the course, a high-speed or broadband connection might be important for the learning experience. Many of the courses, however, require the Flash player plug-in

  • Does NewsU offer financial aid for fee-based courses?

    We know times are tight. So, thanks to several grants, we are able to offer journalists a limited number of scholarships to our Webinars and online group seminars. For details, go to www.newsu.org/scholarships.

  • How can I change my personal information, including my password?

    After logging into www.newsu.org with your user name and password, click on "MyNewsU." Your will see a block on the right side of the page with the "Edit My Account" link. Click on it and you can change personal data and/or your password. You cannot, however, change your user name.

  • How do I sign up?

    If you’re interested in joining an online group seminar, you must complete the online application and be accepted into the course. You will be notified prior to the start of the course whether you’ve been accepted and given instructions on how to pay for the course.

  • How does an online group seminar work?

    Online group seminars use a variety of tools to help you sharpen your skills. Across the four weeks, you’ll find:

    * Readings - We’ve gathered the most helpful material on the topic. * Discussion areas - You’ll exchange ideas with fellow participants, faculty and other industry leaders in a series of discussion areas. E-mail alerts will help you stay up-to-date on course activity. * Interactive activities - You’ll encounter rich, self-directed activities throughout the course. * Assignments - You’ll apply what you’re learning with a range of activities to hone your skills. * Podcasts and vodcasts - A range of multimedia materials, including podcast interviews and vodcast teaching sessions, will complement the course readings.
  • How long does it take?

    The content of online group seminars unfolds over several weeks. There are few scheduled meeting times, except for several live discussions, so you'll be able to learn on a schedule that works for you. The minimum time commitment each week generally is three to four hours.

  • How much does NewsU charge?

    Many courses are free, especially those that are self-directed. For courses with more faculty interaction, we try to keep our costs reasonable for both individuals and organizations with limited resources.

  • How will I access a Webinar?

    We send out a reminder notice about noon Eastern time the day of a live Webinar. It will tell you to log in to your account at www.newsu.org with your username and password, click on the title of the Webinar which will appear near the top of the home page AND on the My NewsU page. Once there, click on the links and you will be automatically redirected to the Webinar.

    If you enrolled in the live event and missed it, you will have automatic access to the replay as soon as we make it available on our site. We commit to making the replay available by the end of the 2nd business day after a live Webinar. Log in to your account at www.newsu.org with your username and password, click on the title of the Webinar which will appear near on the My NewsU page. Once there, click on the links and you will be automatically redirected to the Webinar.

    If you enrolled in a Replay only, click on the title of the Webinar which will appear near the top of the home page AND on the My NewsU page. Once there, click on the links and you will be automatically redirected to the Webinar.

  • I cannot attend the live Webinar. Will I have access to the archived version?

    If you paid for the live Webinar prior to the event, you will have automatic, unlimited access to the replay. We commit to putting the replay on the site by the end of the second business day after the live Webinar. You can access it as often as you wish after that by logging into your account at www.newsu.org, clicking on "My NewsU" and then on the Webinar title.

  • I've forgotten my log in information. Do I need to set up a new account?

    If you cannot recall your password, you can request a new one from the sign in page by going to the "Request New Password" tab. You will immediately receive a link to set up a new one, sent to the email address on record for your account.

    If you cannot recall your username, you can go to the "Request New Password" link and enter the email address associated with your account. You will receive an immediate email with a link to your account where you can go in, retrieve your user name and set a new password.

  • What do your courses teach?

    We offer courses across the scope of journalism and media literacy: leadership and management; reporting, writing and editing; broadcast; online; ethics; visual journalism; and journalism education.

  • What does it take to participate in a Webinar?

    You must have a fast and reliable Internet connection and a monitor resolution set to 1024 x 768 or higher.

    You also need Adobe’s free Flash Player. Most computers already have it installed, but if you'd like to make sure you've got the latest version of Flash, you can run a short test first, preferably before the live event is scheduled to begin. It will also tell you if you've got enough speed, and will give you the option to install an Acrobat Connect add-in to improve its performance during a broadcast. (Not required, but we suggest you go ahead and install that, too. It's also free.)

    If you fail the test, it may be because your firewall is blocking ports 1935 and 443. In order to participate in our Webinars, your IT folks will need to open one of these two ports. If this is not possible, you will not be able to participate in either the live webinar or watch the archived version as both require access to these ports.

    It is important to run the test if you have not participated in a recent NewsU Webinar using Adobe Connect. If you’re not sure, go ahead and do it anyway.

  • What is a self-directed course?

    These are the ultimate in e-learning flexibility. Choose what course you want to take, when and where you take it and how to apply what you've learned. Most self-directed courses take just an hour or two to complete. You can work on your own schedule, starting and stoppin whenever you like and coming back as many times as you want to review the material. The modules make use of interactive technology, so they're more engaging than a mere collection of Web pages.

  • What is a Webinar?

    Our Webinars allow you to join online seminars led by Poynter faculty and other leading industry professionals from your home, office or classroom.

    You’ll see a slide presentation and hear the instructor's voice through your computer's speakers. (If your hardware or bandwidth isn't up to the task, you can use your phone to hear the instructor via teleconference.) The instructor advances the slides throughout the presentation.

    During the broadcast, you'll see a Q&A panel on the screen where you can post questions or comments. Our host shares as many questions with the presenter and the broadcast audience as time permits. You can also respond to poll questions posted by the host.

  • What is an online group seminar?

    Much like a traditional class, an online group seminar has readings, assignments, due dates and discussion forums. A faculty member guides the group through new material, moderates discussions and provides individual feedback. To create an optimal interactive learning experience for each participant, the total enrollment in an online seminar is limited.

  • What is News University?

    News University is one of the world's most innovative online journalism training programs ever created. From multimedia techniques to writing and reporting, we've got more than 85 free and low-cost courses. As the e-learning project of The Poynter Institute, NewsU extends Poynter’s mission as a school for journalists, future journalists and teachers of journalism.

  • What is the format for NewsU courses?

    News University offers several kinds of e-learning: self-directed modules, online group seminars, Webinars, tutorials, seminar snapshots and technology training. Self-Directed Learning Modules. (In e-learning language, they’re called “asynchronous” modules.) These are the ultimate in e-learning flexibility. Participants can start and stop whenever they like, progressing entirely at their own pace and going back as many times as they want to review the material. The modules make use of interactive technology, so they're more engaging than a mere collection of Web pages.

    Online Group (or "semi-synchronous") Seminars. Participants gather in a virtual space, logging in from anywhere, day or night, over the course of several days or several weeks. A faculty member guides the group through new material, moderates discussions and provides individual feedback.

    Webinars or eSeminars ("synchronous" modules). These are live seminars or events broadcast over the Web; participants can tune in from their computer at work or at home and ask questions in real-time. And if they can't join us live, we make recordings of many of these seminars available as self-directed learning modules.

    Seminar Snapshots. These are edited video highlights and other materials that capture the key learning points of seminar presentations at The Poynter Institute or at other training events.

    Tutorials. NewsU Tutorials will help you get started with Web applications and tools. Using step-by-step instructions and screengrabs, these guides demonstrate the basics of working with these applications. You can start and stop on your own schedule and come back as often as you like.

    Technology Training. NewsU Tech is our training library to help you develop your software and technical skills. Each module in a NewsU Tech course creates software simulations that give you a feel for working in the program. Using audio, slideshows and offline activities, you'll explore how to use the software without having to buy or install any program.

  • What type of degree or certification do you offer?

    News University does not issue a certificate, diploma or degree. We offer a variety of self-directed training courses that you can complete in 1-4 hours, Webinars (live and replays) that take approximately 1 hour, technical software training, and 3 and 4 week on-line group seminars. There are no prerequisites for the self-directed courses, the Webinars or the technical software training. Because participants in our on-line group seminars interact with each other throughout the course, the instructors require applications and make their selections to create a stimulating environment with a more uniform level of experience, skill or background.

  • When did NewsU start?

    Our official launch was in April 2005.

  • Who is the audience?

    Journalists, journalism students, educators and those who are interested journalism and media. Courses at NewsU are designed for journalists at all levels of experience and in all types of media.

  • Will you send me proof of payment?

    You can print a receipt for your payment at any time. Simply log into your account with your user name and password,then go to "My NewsU." "My Recent Orders" will appear on the right side of the page. Click on the order number that is closest to you payment date or amount for a printable receipt.