News U

Poynter's News University is a website for journalists that offers online courses and webinars. Their courses, taught by seasoned journalists, are designed to provide affordable and convenient continuing education for writers.

Recent offerings include the free, self directed course, "The Writer's Workbench: 50 Tools You Can Use". Another freebie is entitled "Cleaning Your Copy" and provides tips on editing, grammar, and AP style. Access to these courses simply require free registration with News U, and an updated Flash Player. Course completion time varies, ranging from an hour and up.

Many courses, or modules, as News U calls them, can be done at your convenience. Others, such as the webinars, have specific times. Some require a fee, but still seem reasonable. Several I looked at were around $24.95 - $29.95 for a one hour live class.

There are dozens of topics, such as advertising, graphic design, reporting, interviews, and secrets to powerful prose. Some courses cost several hundred dollars, but the nice thing is that you can pick and choose what suits you. Why not try a free course before committing to a paid one? Doing that could help you decide whether News U's style suits yours.

For more info, or to register, visit: http://www.newsu.org/default.aspx?

Happy summer writing!