In the world of modern journalism, where speed and accuracy are essential, having effective data management tools can make the difference between a powerful story and a missing piece of information. It's natural to feel some apprehension when faced with data sheets full of numbers and formulas, but every piece of data has the potential to be transformed into important stories that stand out and connect with your audience.
For this reason, the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas presents a new webinar series in Spanish, “Google Sheets for journalists.” It is a unique opportunity for communicators, journalists and editors to learn to master one of the most useful tools for data analysis and visualization.
From Aug. 1 to 22, 2024, under the guidance of Sandra Crucianelli, coordinator of the Infobae Data Unit, and Daniela Czibener, data and information specialist at Infobae, participants will explore the basic functions of Google Sheets up to its application in complex journalistic investigations.
You can sign up for a single webinar for $20, or take advantage of the full four-webinar package for just $50, which includes a discount. The series consists of four different webinars, so each one offers unique content; It is not necessary to take them in sequential order.
By registering, participants will have access to additional materials provided by the instructors, a recording of each webinar so they can watch it whenever they want, and exclusive forums where they can interact with other participants, share experiences and answer questions. Those who complete all four webinars will receive a digital badge, a certificate of completion, and a workbook created by the instructors that will have the content presented during the webinar series.
We interviewed instructors Sandra and Daniela, who shared valuable insights, giving participants a glimpse of what they can expect from this webinar series. Excerpts of the interview are below. Click here to read the entire interview in Spanish.
What is the biggest myth you think people have about using spreadsheets in journalism?
Sandra Crucianelli: Many colleagues who have studied journalism have confessed their aversion to mathematics. They believe that it is not necessary to have knowledge in handling numbers when covering a news story. This is false and it is necessary to evangelize in this sense because the lack of knowledge in the processing of numbers can contribute to us seeing numbers without knowing what they mean, which is detrimental to the construction of the news.
Daniela Czibener: I think that the main myth lies in the belief that spreadsheets are exclusively linked to the use of applied mathematics and the abstract thinking that this implies. However, by starting to use them as a tool, it is revealed how fundamental their support is.
What can participants expect to know at the end of this webinar series?
Sandra Crucianelli: The participants would have guidance and support for their first steps in using this important tool for journalists and communicators. Currently, particularly large volumes of numerical data circulate on the information highway, most of the time stored in databases, behind which there is potential news. Discovering them and putting them in the light of public opinion is the mission of data journalism.
What makes this webinar series especially relevant for journalists and communicators today? What is the biggest advantage of using Google Sheets in today's journalism?
Daniela Czibener: The use of this tool allows you to process, organize, consolidate and visualize data in order to support journalistic investigations. Also, the fact that the different actors in the data team can collaborate simultaneously makes work and communication faster.
