Upcoming hands-on CAR training

IRE and NICAR offer computer-assisted reporting (CAR) training programs including weeklong boot camps in Columbia, Missouri and hands-on classes at their annual conference, designed for journalists at all levels to learn data analysis and electronic information gathering skills.

IRE and NICAR have several train- ing opportunities for journalists seeking hands-on instruction in using computer-assisted reporting. There are two weeklong CAR boot camps in Columbia, Mo., for jour- nalists who want to learn how to acquire electronic information, use spreadsheets and databases to ana- lyze the information and to translate that information into high-impact sto- ries. IRE and NICAR provide follow- up help after participants return to their news organizations.

The boot camps are May 16-21 and Aug. 1-6. Editors can take advantage of an abbreviated version of the boot camp April 23-25 in Columbia, Mo. Participants will learn how to make CAR successful in their newsrooms and will get just enough hands-on experience to understand what their reporters are tackling and en- vision what is possible with CAR. Hands-on classes will be offered at the IRE Annual Conference June 17-20 in Atlanta.

Those registering for the classes will be able to learn how to use spreadsheets and da- tabase managers to analyze data.