In an era of Big Data, artificial intelligence and computer-assisted data visualization, along with unverified information coming at us from all directions, editors can’t afford to hate math. We don’t have to love it, but we need to be able to edit it.
It’s time we all got comfortable with numeracy. As editors, we need to accept numbers, math, and data as important parts of the stories we help tell.
Too often, writers and editors (word people) switch off their brains when they see a number. Too often, writers and editors defer to the subject matter experts when it comes to quantitative information, assuming incorrectly that those who are comfortable with numbers never make mistakes. Even meticulously researched and checked data can be transcribed incorrectly, and even intimidatingly clever math users sometimes get muddled.
This course is designed for editors who want to be more comfortable working with numbers, data and mathematical relationships.
General information
This is a self-directed course; you may work through it at your own pace. It should take about 1-2 hours to finish.
This course consists of a series of videos, text lessons, and pop-up activities that test your knowledge. Activities within the course have right and wrong answers, but these activities are for practice only and will not impact your completion of the course.
To complete each course, you must pass a test at the end that consists of 10 questions. You will have 20 minutes to complete each course test once they have begun. You must answer at least eight of the 10 questions correctly to gain a score of 80% or higher to pass the course and get credit toward the certificate.
You are allowed three attempts to pass the evaluation at the end of each course.
If you are still unable to pass the evaluation with an 80% or better after three attempts, please contact our customer service department at info@poynter.org.
This course is part of the Poynter/ACES Intermediate Certificate in Editing, though it can be taken on its own, independently of the certificate. The certificate consists of seven courses, seven end-of-course tests and an overall final assessment covering material from all seven courses.
To earn the Intermediate Certificate, you must pass a final assessment at the end of all seven courses.
The certificate’s final assessment consists of 30 questions drawn from material throughout all seven courses. You will have one hour to complete this final certificate assessment and three chances to pass with an 80% or better.
If you are still unable to pass the final assessment with an 80% or better after three attempts, please contact our customer service department at info@poynter.org.
We recommend that before starting the Intermediate Certificate, you first complete the Poynter/ACEs Introductory Editing Certificate, though it is not a prerequisite.
Questions?
If you need assistance, email us at info@poynter.org.
