NewsU has launched a new course called Leading an Online Newsroom: What You Need to Know. The course is taught by Susan Karol, executive director of the Suburban Newspapers of America Foundation, and funded by Knight Foundation.

The course consists of five ‘classes’, each with tips and commentary from editors on best practices for online newsrooms. There are also interactive activities that simulate running an online publication and respond to news events:’class participants’choose which staff members to send to cover a story, and learn how to adjust their workflow for breaking news.

It also features a ‘Case Study Showcase’ of seven online news organizations’ successes and challenges. Participants can also add their own newsroom to use as an example.

The NewsU team is working on its third course, which will be on innovation in community news, and will hold two webinars this month. Check out’a list of NewsU courses (.pdf), which’are free for everyone who registers on the web site.