Comm 361: Grant Paulsen

Chapter 9: Data-Driven Journalism and Digitizing Your Life

Reading this chapter makes me feel like I am not getting the most out of the internet. I suddenly feel like I am over-looking a lot of the technology at my disposal.

The one thing I will give myself credit for is that I do a great job organizing my e-mail (which is Briggs’ first section of the chapter). But I have never used any of the “productivity tools” that are listed.

In relating Briggs’ data-driven journalism section to our class’ purpose, I think the best way for us to use this information in our blogs will be through tables.

In the same way that the book shows the picture of the USA Today MLB Salary Database, I think I can add tables and images to my blog, which will enhance the coverage of my my topic.

For example, when I blog about the Redskins’ running back situation, I could show a graphic with the yards, touchdowns and receptions of each of the players who are vying for playing time at the position.

This graphic (from NFL Stat Tables) is an example of digital aid in a blog

After all, Briggs says that all blogs need images and graphics to help differentiate them from print.

I definitely understand what Briggs is saying about “telling stories with data.” I try to do my best to find statistics to back up all of my arguments when talking about or debating sports.

Briggs agrees that numbers are a good tool in digital journalism.

The map-making devices that Briggs refers to are helpful in that he gives you step-by-step directions as to how to create them. But I am not sure how practical they are.

How can a map of something local help readers in the Midwest?