Take advantage of a full schedule of computer-assisted reporting classes designed for all skill levels, whether you're just getting familiar with spreadsheets, need to beef up your database basics, or need tips to write your own Web scripts. You'll learn by sitting down at a computer and working with these tools in sessions led by IRE's experienced training staff and CAR practitioners.

Regular hands-on classes are open on a first come, first served basis and the price is included in your conference registration. Only courses in the CAR Mini-Boot Camp and the Web Frameworks Boot Camp are restricted to participants who signed up before the conference.

CAR Mini Boot Camp

Please note, the CAR Mini Boot Camp is now full.

In this track for CAR beginners, special morning panels will be coordinated with hands-on classes in the afternoon. The combination will give participants a mini-boot camp experience with plenty of opportunity to apply what they learn to reporting and writing news stories.

Participants are pre-registered for a series of classes, modeled on the IRE and NICAR 5-day CAR Boot Camp curriculum. This will offer 10 hours of hands-on instruction in Internet, spreadsheets and database management.

There is no extra charge to reserve a seat in the Mini-Boot Camp but, due to its limited availability, please sign up only if you will attend all sessions. Pre-registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. (Similar beginner-level classes—open to all conference attendees —are offered at various times on the main hands-on schedule.)

Web Frameworks Advanced Boot Camp

You've heard all the hype around web frameworks like Ruby on Rails and Django. Now see why. In this new advanced boot camp, we'll take you from the basics to a fully functioning data-driven application in Django, the web framework that drives award-winning projects like EveryBlock, PolitiFact, and The Washington Post's congressional votes databases. Editors and producers know this work is hot. You know it’s the next step for your CAR skills. Now learn how in these hands-on sequential classes.

Because it’s an advanced sequence, please plan to attend all of the Web Frameworks classes. And please make sure you meet the following prerequisites before signing up:

• Fluent in SQL
• Skilled in SQL Server, MySQL or another database program beyond Access
• Familiar with relational concepts

Please note that the track is designed to build skills sequentially so you must attend all sessions. Only 20 seats are available and there is an additional $50 registration fee. Pre-registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. (IRE may request more information about your experience with the required skill set.) Sign-up is on the main conference registration form.

Caspio training

Caspio will offer free training at the CAR Conference. These hands-on sessions will provide in-depth training to empower participants with the latest tools and insights to create complete end-to-end web applications efficiently and maintain them with ease. The hour-long classes will be held on Saturday, March 13. Each is class limited to 18 participants on a first come, first served basis. You must be registered for the 2010 CAR Conference prior to registering for this training. To register for a session click here.

Caspio Training Schedule

Instructor: Ed Garcia, Caspio Training Manager

• 10 – 10:50 a.m. — Tips and Tricks for User-Generated Data and Apps
• 11 – 11:50 a.m. — Make Every Record Count with New SEO Deployment
• 2 – 2:50 p.m. — Make Every Record Count with New SEO Deployment
• 3 – 3:50 p.m. — Map Integration and Geo-Coding Services