Upcoming hands-on CAR training

IRE and NICAR are offering computer-assisted reporting training programs in 2005, including week-long Boot Camps in Columbia, Missouri, specialized GIS mapping courses, and hands-on classes at annual conferences in Hollywood and Denver.

Looking for intensive computer-assisted reporting training in the coming year? IRE and NICAR have scheduled several introductory and specialty hands-on CAR seminars.

There are four weeklong Boot Camps in Columbia, Mo., for journalists who want to learn how to acquire electronic information, use spreadsheets and databases to analyze the information, and to translate that information into high-impact stories. IRE and NICAR provide follow-up help after participants return to their news organizations. The 2005 Boot Camps are Jan. 9-14, March 20-25, May 15-20 and Aug. 7-12.

Journalists interested in learning how to map data for news stories can take advantage of mini-Boot Camps in using geographic information systems (GIS). The training sessions, Jan. 14-16 and Aug. 19-21 in Columbia, will use ArcView GIS. Participants will learn how to create basic maps, work with projections, and geocode data. Additional GIS training is being planned for Washington, D.C.

Hands-on classes will be offered at the Annual CAR Conference March 17-20 in Hollywood, Calif., and at the IRE Annual Conference June 2-5 in Denver.

For complete information about IRE and NICAR training visit www.ire.org/training.