Empowering j-students to think and write in a 'flat' world

Australian journalism education has progressed from its vocational model. predominant in the '70s and '80s. to a somewhat hybridised form where theoretical explications sit comfortably with skills training. The past decade or so has seen a distinct body of Australian journalism practice-led research emerging, with applied journalism texts authored by local educators used widely in undergraduate and postgraduate classes. The journalism education paradigm may well soon shift, with the useful features retained and less useful ones discarded. This commentary explores some of the useful features.