The King’s Summer School in Data Journalism is partnering with the Canadian Association of Journalists to offer a live, online school June 22 to 26. It will be led by University of King’s College professor Fred Vallance-Jones and by David McKie, who had a long career with the CBC before becoming a freelance data producer and trainer. The theme is data reporting in the time of pandemic.

You’ll learn the basics you need to find, understand and use data to break important stories on COVID-19 and other newsworthy subjects. The focus is on data literacy and basic analysis techniques using spreadsheets, database and mapping tools. This is the course you need if you’ve been wanting to get started with data journalism but don’t know where to begin.

The course is open to journalists and student journalists only. The cost is $125 for the week of training for journalists, or $75 for current CAJ full, student and retired journalist members. CAJ members can sign up now; general signups start May 8. Normally, summer school rates start at nearly $500 for the in-person school. Spots are limited to 15, so sign up early.

The 2020 summer data school is sponsored by Esri Canada, makers of ArcGIS mapping software, and by Investintech, makers of Able2Extract, a powerful solution for converting data in pdfs so it can be analyzed in spreadsheet and database software. All school participants will receive a free copy of Able2Extract Professional as part of their participation.

Instruction will be conducted using pre-recorded video modules and live sessions using video conferencing, with your classmates, instructors and guest experts. These will be timed to accommodate the time zones of all participants. You’ll need to purchase an e-book version of the Data Journalist for about $19 plus tax. You’ll need a Kobo device, or you can download the Kobo app to your computer or mobile device. You will also need an internet-connected computer, either PC or Mac (Chromebooks will not work). Once you sign up, you will receive instructions for the installation of software.

All data we use will either be online, or made available for secure download. You’ll need to sign up for a free Vimeo membership to access the videos as they will be available only to those signed up for the data school who have provided us with their account names.

Sign up by credit card here. CAJ members will need to sign in to their account get the discounted rate. The school is limited to 15 signups, so sign up early. If you cannot pay by credit card, contact us at kingsdata@ukings.ca to make an alternative arrangement. Your spot will be confirmed when your payment has been processed.

Tickets

$125.00 CAJ member registration for King’s Summer School in data Journalism, June 22-26
$75.00 Earlybird rate before June 21