By Amy Webb, IJNet Digital Media Consultant --

Every news organization is making some effort towards using digital media, whether it's to build a website, apply social networking tools such as del.icio.us or Facebook, or even to launch video footage. But for most, the motivation to use digital media comes from trying to stay relevant and solvent in our ever-changing media landscape, rather than because of a genuine enthusiasm to try something new or to learn more about emerging technology.

In reality, many journalists are terrified to try new technology, or they see it as a threat to the way they've historically practiced their craft. As news organizations make the inevitable shift to include digital media in daily operations, staff training becomes necessary, and in many cases, job duties need to change, too. Feelings of insecurity or fear will automatically start your staff off on the wrong foot. They will approach any digital initiative with outright skepticism and resistance rather than with an open mind and the urge to continue exploring digital media after your training program has completed.

Here are five tips and hands-on learning exercises that any newsroom trainer can use to motivate staff to use and embrace technology. I'll offer another five next week.

1. Take apart a computer together
There's a reason that tech support is so expensive: most consumers are afraid to take apart their own computers. One easy way to demystify the machines we rely on is to hold a short session where staff "dissect" a computer together. A good way to begin this session is to tell a story about dissecting a frog during a high school biology class. Relate that to taking apart a computer - stress that nothing will be damaged, and that the best way to understand how a computer works is to take a peek at its guts.

Adapt It: Use an older desktop computer. We strongly recommend that you DO NOT use a laptop. Undo the plastic outer shell. On most computers, it will easily snap off. Remove the memory. Point out what each part is and what each part does. Remove as much or as little as you'd like. Allow everyone to each to touch, feel, hold all of the parts. Pass them around. Provide a vocabulary list and definitions - make sure to call all of the parts by their proper names. Make the session fun by inviting all of the staff to take apart and put back the equipment.

Outcome: Staff will feel more comfortable once they have a better understanding of what's inside the box they use. They will approach new technology with less fear and insecurity.

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2. Set realistic expectations and goals
Even the very best trainer will not create a Photoshop expert out of a new user. Not everyone will have the aptitude or creativity to do web or multimedia work. At the same time, some staff may surprise you and will learn and use new techniques much faster than you may anticipate.

Adapt It: Keep in mind that everyone learns and understands in his or her own way. Multimedia/web ability has little to do with age, gender or demographic, so it's important not to make any assumptions. You might begin a training initiative by having staff fill out a self-evaluation form. You might even consider creating a skills challenge (we advise against calling it a "test") to evaluate where each student is before starting your training. It's important to set challenging, but realistic, goals.

Outcome: The more that you can tailor training sessions to each staff member, the better. If each staff learns to his/her potential, your newsroom should see maximum benefit.

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3. Build an office intranet
An intranet is a website or portal that is usually password-protected and contains information specifically for the people working within a company. It can be used for posting staff contact information, sharing resources, hosting a meeting calendar and more.

Adapt It: Many news and other organizations already have intranets, but they aren't used for continuous learning. Trainers should consider using the office intranet to post training modules, tipsheets, practice exercises and even weekly puzzles. Discussion boards can be used for staff to post questions or comments on topics they're learning. Important note: This blog is intended as a non-threatening practice space for staff and should be used only for practice and should be viewed only by the organization. It should not be made available on the organization's website.

Outcome: If training resources are readily available, constantly updated and easy to access, your staff will more likely make use of them.

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4. Create a staff blog
Blogs are typically seen as venues for gossip mongers or political columnist imitators. In reality, a blog is really just a publishing platform that enables any user to quickly and easily post any kind of content to the web. For that reason, a blog can be a fantastic place for staff to learn how to use digital media tools and technology.

Adapt It: Start a training blog for staff. You can either build out a new blog using your newsroom's content management system, or you can register for a free blog with Blogger.com. We strongly recommend keeping this particular blog private and requiring a password to access it.

You can have each staff be responsible for covering their own newsroom or topic of choice for a week. S/he should write an entry at least once every day for a set number of days, and s/he should try to also upload and post photos and embedded video. You might structure the weeklong coverage period using a series of exercises. Examples are below - we recommend that you provide training worksheets along with clear explanations and a contact person for help when it's needed. It's important, too, to create a system for feedback and positive reinforcement.

DAY ONE: Post text entry
DAY TWO: Post text with at least three hyperlinks
DAY THREE: Post text, at least three hyperlinks and a photo
DAY FOUR: Post text, at least three hyperlinks, and a centered photo with caption
DAY FIVE: Post all of the above plus an embedded YouTube video

Outcome: Starting an internal blog with a structured plan of exercises will make learning web/ multimedia editing less threatening. Staff may be more willing to contribute more multimedia for the organization on their own.

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5. Start an internal mentoring program
Providing staff with a friendly mentor is a good way to nurture teamwork and continuous learning in any organization. It is also an excellent way to start an internal peer network.

Adapt It: Identify those in your organization with advanced digital media/ technology skills. Approach each to see if s/he would be interested in mentoring other staff. We recommend strongly that the program uses one-on-one relationships so that the mentor can provide maximum attention and support.

Many mentoring programs fail because they lack structure. It would be good to set expectations early. Consider holding a one-time group meeting, where mentors can connect and talk about how they'd like to proceed. We recommend that mentor pairs meet once a week for a set time period (eight weeks, six months, a year) informally to discuss projects and troubleshooting.

Outcome: Sometimes problems arise, or creativity is stifled, because staff are afraid or unwilling to ask questions. A mentor relationship is an easy, low-cost way to provide ongoing training for your entire staff and to help organizations work together in groups.

To read all of Amy Webb's Webb on the Webb columns, click here.

Amy Webb is a digital media consultant and head of Webbmedia Group, LLC. Find more multimedia tips and ideas at her blog, http://www.mydigimedia.com. Webbmedia Group is a vendor-neutral company. Any opinions expressed about products or services are formed after testing, research and interviews. Neither Amy Webb nor Webbmedia Group or its employees receives any financial or other benefits from vendors.