"In the digital age of communications, journalists need new metaphors. Shining a light works when information is scarce, and it still is, at times. But today news also can be abundant. When everything is already all lit up, a searchlight is just another thing you can't see. …Today, journalists who want to help us see, to help us find our way, must find a way to provide sunglasses to calm the blinding light. We need honest filters. We need journalistic search engines and tools that dig deep for facts. We need digital sunglasses -- technology that can tell you if social media is being generated by software like Twitter Bots or by the public relations people who manage online reputations."

Thus begins Searchlights and Sunglasses, a new online book by Eric Newton, senior advisor to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. In this resource, Newton explores the past, present and various possible futures of news.

One of the most interesting aspects of this free online book is its design. Created in HTML5, it offers interactivity and functionality similar to an app, but is displayed within a web browser. It also features mobile-friendly responsive design. From any page, with a single click, users can access a "learning layer" with access to more than 1,000 links, lessons and resources that developed jointly with the University of Missouri's Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute.

The learning layer shows resources in popup windows, such as this suggested class activity to teach students about the concept of transliteracy (interaction of traditional literacies, such as the ability to read, with new literacies, such as the ability to use digital media):

Select a message and a target audience. Develop and convey that message in three different ways. You might, for example, use a Tweet, a blog and a photo, or perhaps e-mail, video and word of mouth. Compare and contrast. Was one tool or platform more effective than another in terms of reach, understanding and engagement? Why? Would your efforts have had more success had you investigated the interests of your community before sending the message?"

All chapters and exercises are printable, and users can leave comments.

Several journalism educators have been beta testing this book. Two of them have posted to the Knight Blog about their observations and favorite parts: Susan Moeller (Univ. of Maryland, College Park) and Mark Goodman, Kent State University. More from the Beta Test Diaries for this project.