You can check out where we are right now by going to www.chsglobe.com, but the real fireworks start the week after Labor Day, when we begin our web rotation. We have divided the class into 4 web teams, each on a 4-week rotating cycle, which means we should have between 15-18 new web stories every week, starting that week. The organization of this is done through our mentoring teams, where each editor works with one or two writers.
All of our stories–both print and web will be turned in via the website (done through WordPress). All reporters will be listed as contributors and will upload their stories as drafts. They will not be able to publish their own stories. They will then email their mentors and let them know their story is uploaded. The mentor-editors will have admin rights to publish on the web. They will edit the story and then either publish it immediately if it is for the web or set the publication date for the day we are scheduled to come out if it is for the print edition. They will upload and add in a photo and caption with it if available. The print editors will take the edited stories from the web site and use them for their InDesign Pages. We think we have come up with a very seamless system, but we will see. Photographers will have contributor rights, and one of the five daily web editors will post their photos of the day and their slideshows. We may eventually give them admin access so they can directly post their own, but we wanted to maintain an editorial presence at this point.
We are really having to rethink our coverage for both print and web as we expand to this new format but the kids have jumped in with both feet and are madly working to make this vision a reality. I’m just happy to get to share their enthusiasm. It’s what keeps me from wanting to retire.
Written By: Aaron Manfull
