More than 5,000 high school journalism students and advisers learned about Ball State's J-Ideas at the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association's fall convention Nov. 20-23.

J-Ideas, the Institute for Digital Education, Activities and Scholarship, was created through a grant to the journalism department from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The grant will allow students to learn about journalism through interactive activities and layout exercises, Web-streamed lectures, virtual tours of professional newsrooms and chats with industry professionals.

On the last day of the convention, J-Ideas sponsored a summit in which Ball State faculty brainstormed ideas with other journalism educators and industry professionals about the future of scholastic journalism.

Gene Policinski, acting director of J-Ideas and a former USA Today managing editor, said the group discussed how J-Ideas can digitally connect students with online information. He was joined by Christi Girton, J-Ideas assistant director, and Jerry Pierce, integrated media lab administrator.

"Our summit was also a smashing success," Policinski said. "We met with more than 25 groups with interest and involvement in high school journalism, which was a great start for the new J-Ideas effort."

J-Ideas also had a booth at the convention and asked students and advisers to share journalism memories on camera. Pierce recorded their responses, which will be used on the J-Ideas Web site.

"I thought that the reaction from the students to the program of digital information and technology was very enthusiastic," Policinski said.

Marilyn Weaver, Ball State journalism department chair, spoke with students and advisers at the convention.

"This was a great recruiting opportunity for Ball State and the department," Weaver said. "Students from across the country are more aware of the resources and programs Ball State has to offer."

Mark Herron, director of media workshops, critiqued and judged student publications and participated in the Student Press Law Center Advisory Board meeting. He organized the department's media workshops booth.

"The chance to be a part of such a national education program is not only a learning experience for us, but a great chance to show off all that Ball State and the summer workshop programs really have to offer," Herron said.