Knights In Training

Knights In Training
 

Even In D.C., Form Follows Function

10:44 am

September 8, 2010

 

Credit: Brian Naylor / NPR

Many of D.C.'s finest buildings are examples of how American architects and engineers adapted classical European examples to suit the needs of a new and growing American democracy.

Good Knight, And Good Luck

04:46 pm

April 6, 2010

 

by Knight Trainees

Over the last two years nearly 400 NPR employees were involved in multi-day, often multi-week, digital literacy and skills training sessions to learn better ways to serve our audience in the digital space. This undertaking was made possible by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The grant is coming to an end, which also means the adjournment of the Knights in Training blog.

Our blog has documented reporters, producers and editors who've experimented in the digital space since the beginning of the "Knight" training in May 2008. Scroll through the posts and you'll see the many successes and challenges of our "Knights." You'll also see how the training evolved and adjusted to fit NPR's mission and priorities. This will be the last post for the foreseeable future. Thanks for following.

And check out our end of Knight training interactive.

All the best,
Kim Perry, Knight Training Coordinator
Becky Lettenberger, Knight Training Cheerleader (aka Assistant Trainer)

Adam Laye - Guitar Hero

04:18 pm

November 24, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

Hunt or Gather

04:16 pm

November 24, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

The Toiling Toddler

11:00 am

November 6, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

  • A sunny fall morning. Ian is just 18-months-old. The rake, however, is a 4-year veteran — with the rust and duct tape to prove it.
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    A sunny fall morning. Ian is just 18-months-old. The rake, however, is a 4-year veteran — with the rust and duct tape to prove it.
  • It's big, loud and red; What toddler wouldn't rather wield the leaf blower than a dusty old rake?
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    It's big, loud and red; What toddler wouldn't rather wield the leaf blower than a dusty old rake?
  • Just don't...
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    Just don't...
  • ...get on the...
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    ...get on the...
  • wrong side of the blower.
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    wrong side of the blower.
  • The last remnants of what was once a burst of fall colors.
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    The last remnants of what was once a burst of fall colors.
  • Even after a long morning of hard work, the ground is still padded with a clutter of leaves.
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    Even after a long morning of hard work, the ground is still padded with a clutter of leaves.
  • It's critical when raking leaves to save some time for fun!
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    It's critical when raking leaves to save some time for fun!
  • The whole family came out to help clear the yard this year. Here, grandpa loads the bag Ian just toppled.
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    The whole family came out to help clear the yard this year. Here, grandpa loads the bag Ian just toppled.
  • During a brief time out from raking, Ian picks up a gardening shovel...
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    During a brief time out from raking, Ian picks up a gardening shovel...
  • ...and decides the dirt might make a yummy midday snack.
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    ...and decides the dirt might make a yummy midday snack.
  • The leaves are raked, blown and bagged and a very tired Ian takes a well-deserved break in grandpa's arms.
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    The leaves are raked, blown and bagged and a very tired Ian takes a well-deserved break in grandpa's arms.

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Tango and Kate

11:00 am

November 6, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

Jim Z

10:59 am

November 6, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

Maine Avenue Fish Market

03:35 pm

October 30, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

  • Pa Hali A Jammeh Jr. stops by the Maine Avenue Fish Market on his wedding morning. He and his cousin want barracuda for the evening feast, but they settle for mackeral.
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    Pa Hali A Jammeh Jr. stops by the Maine Avenue Fish Market on his wedding morning. He and his cousin want barracuda for the evening feast, but they settle for mackeral.
  • Fish on ice.
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    Fish on ice.
  • Patrick Donahoe sorts a bushel of crabs at the Jessie Taylor Seafood stand.
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    Patrick Donahoe sorts a bushel of crabs at the Jessie Taylor Seafood stand.
  • Crab commerce.
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    Crab commerce.
  • The big ones come from Florida.
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    The big ones come from Florida.
  • The box says it all.
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    The box says it all.
  • Reggie Green makes time for morning soup. He works on the wharf cleaning fish.
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    Reggie Green makes time for morning soup. He works on the wharf cleaning fish.
  • Phantom crab gloves.
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    Phantom crab gloves.
  • Charles Tucker and his mother Endia Thomas load up on cooked crabs for the weekend.
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    Charles Tucker and his mother Endia Thomas load up on cooked crabs for the weekend.
  • Julian Thomas is a regular at the raw bar. The man likes his hot sauce.
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    Julian Thomas is a regular at the raw bar. The man likes his hot sauce.
  • ... and his oysters.
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    ... and his oysters.

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Fireman For A Day With Rockville's Company 3

03:22 pm

October 30, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

  • Rockville, Maryland's Fire Company 3 combines a volunteer force with full time firefighters. The gear includes a fire engine, ladder truck, rescue truck and ambulance.
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    Rockville, Maryland's Fire Company 3 combines a volunteer force with full time firefighters. The gear includes a fire engine, ladder truck, rescue truck and ambulance.
  • The day begins at 7am sharp with a meeting for full time firefighters and medical technicians to discuss new regulations, schedules and assignments.
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    The day begins at 7am sharp with a meeting for full time firefighters and medical technicians to discuss new regulations, schedules and assignments.
  • The day chief lays out the schedule every morning on the white board. Each unit must have a minimum number of crew members based on local regulations.
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    The day chief lays out the schedule every morning on the white board. Each unit must have a minimum number of crew members based on local regulations.
  • After the morning meeting, firefighters and EMTs check their vehicles and gear and test their equipment.
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    After the morning meeting, firefighters and EMTs check their vehicles and gear and test their equipment.
  • A central dispatch handles emergency calls and sends location details to stations via radio and computer. Each alarm that sounds in the firehouse signals a specific emergency.
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    A central dispatch handles emergency calls and sends location details to stations via radio and computer. Each alarm that sounds in the firehouse signals a specific emergency.
  • Once an emergency call comes in, every member of the assigned crew jumps into action and heads for their vehicle.
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    Once an emergency call comes in, every member of the assigned crew jumps into action and heads for their vehicle.
  • The trucks often head out in pairs to ensure enough personnel are on the scene to handle any emergency.
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    The trucks often head out in pairs to ensure enough personnel are on the scene to handle any emergency.
  • The driver and unit leader take the front seats. In the back sit the medical specialist, other crew members (and visiting photographers).
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    The driver and unit leader take the front seats. In the back sit the medical specialist, other crew members (and visiting photographers).
  • Four team members respond to a medical call at a Rockville credit union. Every firefighter is also trained as a medical technician. The paramedics arrive in an ambulance shortly after.
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    Four team members respond to a medical call at a Rockville credit union. Every firefighter is also trained as a medical technician. The paramedics arrive in an ambulance shortly after.
  • In between calls, firefighters and medical technicians try to relax by reading, working out or sleeping. Day shift workers are on duty for normal business hours. Others work 24 hours in the fire station, then 48 hours of duty.
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    In between calls, firefighters and medical technicians try to relax by reading, working out or sleeping. Day shift workers are on duty for normal business hours. Others work 24 hours in the fire station, then 48 hours of duty.
  • Every call on this morning is medical related, rather than a fire emergency.
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    Every call on this morning is medical related, rather than a fire emergency.
  • It gets very quiet inside the truck once a call comes in.
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    It gets very quiet inside the truck once a call comes in.
  • The majority of emergency calls turn out to be false alarms or — in this case — extra units arrive just to hear their support isn't needed.
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    The majority of emergency calls turn out to be false alarms or — in this case — extra units arrive just to hear their support isn't needed.
  • Back at the station, gear is left in position for the next call. Boots stick out of pants, hoods lay on top of boots, and jackets often hang from truck doors or seats.
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    Back at the station, gear is left in position for the next call. Boots stick out of pants, hoods lay on top of boots, and jackets often hang from truck doors or seats.

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Waiting at Union Station

03:08 pm

October 30, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

Lexington Market

02:26 pm

October 30, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

  • The Lexington Market in downtown Baltimore is open daily from 10am to 6pm. It's endured two fires in its long history, and today is an open air market with hundreds of vendors.
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    The Lexington Market in downtown Baltimore is open daily from 10am to 6pm. It's endured two fires in its long history, and today is an open air market with hundreds of vendors.
  • The stalls of the main market space vary in size and type. Everything from liquor to produce to ready-to-eat chinese food is for sale here.
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    The stalls of the main market space vary in size and type. Everything from liquor to produce to ready-to-eat chinese food is for sale here.
  • An employee of a plant stall bags two house plants for a customer.
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    An employee of a plant stall bags two house plants for a customer.
  • A customer pays for his produce.
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    A customer pays for his produce.
  • Fresh fish is in abundance at Lexington Market, in a city known for its seafood — particularly crab cakes and lake trout, shown here.
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    Fresh fish is in abundance at Lexington Market, in a city known for its seafood — particularly crab cakes and lake trout, shown here.
  • The fish stalls are not for the weak-stomached.
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    The fish stalls are not for the weak-stomached.
  • Lunch is the busiest time of day at the market. Here, a cook grills meat and onions for cheesesteaks.
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    Lunch is the busiest time of day at the market. Here, a cook grills meat and onions for cheesesteaks.
  • Fresh oysters are shucked-to-order at Faidley's Seafood.
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    Fresh oysters are shucked-to-order at Faidley's Seafood.
  • Pizza is one of many delicacies served at Lexington Market.
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    Pizza is one of many delicacies served at Lexington Market.
  • A customer pays for her order of Chinese food before the lunch rush begins.
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    A customer pays for her order of Chinese food before the lunch rush begins.
  • Customers eat in the market's two-level food court.
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    Customers eat in the market's two-level food court.

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Public Art

02:04 pm

October 27, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

  • Artists Judith and Tulio won a nationwide competition to install their tile mural on a busy street in Rockville, MD.
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    Artists Judith and Tulio won a nationwide competition to install their tile mural on a busy street in Rockville, MD.
  • Three large archways will be filled with vibrant, handmade tiles. Judith hand crafts each tile, Tulio helps with the design and cutting. An outside contractor finishes the grouting work.
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    Three large archways will be filled with vibrant, handmade tiles. Judith hand crafts each tile, Tulio helps with the design and cutting. An outside contractor finishes the grouting work.
  • It took Judith a full year to design and create each element of the mural.
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    It took Judith a full year to design and create each element of the mural.
  • The artists drove the tiles down from their home in Massachusetts. Each section of the mural is pre-arranged on large wood palettes and glued onto the wall.
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    The artists drove the tiles down from their home in Massachusetts. Each section of the mural is pre-arranged on large wood palettes and glued onto the wall.
  • Working on a busy, noisy city sidewalk makes this one of the most difficult jobs they've undertaken. The installation should take about ten days.
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    Working on a busy, noisy city sidewalk makes this one of the most difficult jobs they've undertaken. The installation should take about ten days.
  • Judith marks each of the spacer tiles that will be placed around the central elements of the mural.
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    Judith marks each of the spacer tiles that will be placed around the central elements of the mural.
  • Tulio then takes the marked spacer tiles and cuts them to fit the scene.
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    Tulio then takes the marked spacer tiles and cuts them to fit the scene.
  • Judith uses a special wrench to fine-tune the cuts and then uses mortar to affix the tile to the wall.
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    Judith uses a special wrench to fine-tune the cuts and then uses mortar to affix the tile to the wall.
  • Tulio keeps a watchful eye on the design, and is always ready to lend a hand.
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    Tulio keeps a watchful eye on the design, and is always ready to lend a hand.
  • It will be at least another week before Judith finishes all three sections of the work, and the pair head to their next project.
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    It will be at least another week before Judith finishes all three sections of the work, and the pair head to their next project.

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Pumpkin Fest 2009

05:40 pm

October 26, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

  • Butler's Orchard in Germantown, MD, was packed with families on a recent Sunday afternoon.
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    Butler's Orchard in Germantown, MD, was packed with families on a recent Sunday afternoon.
  • Ian and his mom, Heather, missed the nearby sign that instructed, "No climbing or walking on pumpkins."
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    Ian and his mom, Heather, missed the nearby sign that instructed, "No climbing or walking on pumpkins."
  • After picking the perfect pumpkin, Ian heads to the Butler's Orchard Halloween Pumpkin Fest.
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    After picking the perfect pumpkin, Ian heads to the Butler's Orchard Halloween Pumpkin Fest.
  • Goats may eat almost anything, but this one seems to prefer animal feed from tiny hands. Here, the goat is happy to gobble every piece Ian offers.
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    Goats may eat almost anything, but this one seems to prefer animal feed from tiny hands. Here, the goat is happy to gobble every piece Ian offers.
  • Ian's first pony ride cost roughly $1 per minute.
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    Ian's first pony ride cost roughly $1 per minute.
  • Ian ran back and forth inside the pumpkin tunnel until his dad chased him out.
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    Ian ran back and forth inside the pumpkin tunnel until his dad chased him out.
  • The John Deere tractors came in toddler sizes, and kids raced them around the gravel track.
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    The John Deere tractors came in toddler sizes, and kids raced them around the gravel track.
  • The Twisted Maze promises a 10-15 minute adventure. After 15 minutes, Ian was lost... and unhappy.
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    The Twisted Maze promises a 10-15 minute adventure. After 15 minutes, Ian was lost... and unhappy.
  • After a long day at the pumpkin patch, Ian pops in a binky and readies for a nap.
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    After a long day at the pumpkin patch, Ian pops in a binky and readies for a nap.

1 of 9

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Morning Routine

05:38 pm

October 26, 2009

 

by Knight Trainees

 

1 of 9

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About Knights in Training

The Knights in Training blog is used to document our progress learning digital storytelling tools and to seek feedback from the public.

This blog is no longer active. You can find a list of current NPR blogs at npr.org/blogs.

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