|
All
the News Too Fit for Print
Project URL: http://www.teachnet-lab.org/mbhs/scragg/contents.html
How it works:
This program can serve as the introductory unit to an online
journalism class in which students produce their own online
magazine, "Background Source" (www.angelfire.com/ny4/scragg).
The students learn the basics of journalism: doing research, writing a
headline and a lead, news judgment, interview skills, objectivity, and
avoiding plagiarism. They complete activities to practice these
skills, and then put the skills to use by producing their own
publication. This course would not have been possible without current
technology, as the students create an online publication. Not only is an online
publication more "current"-- it is also comparatively
inexpensive compared to printing a magazine! Using the Internet, students
link directly to professional articles, read the daily
headlines, and actually do research on the spot. They learn the value of working with primary
sources and are enlightened by
seeing the media from the ground up. In this way, students gain a working
knowledge of media literacy, a crucial skill in today's
society.
Standards addressed:
The students read and comprehend informational materials, research
online documents, gain media and technology literacy, produce an
informative report and a narrative account, participate in group
meetings, make informed decisions about TV, radio, and film, analyze a
public-speaking performance, analyze and revise work to improve its
clarity and effectiveness, respond to non-fiction using interpretive
and critical processes, produce work in at least one genre that
follows the conventions of that genre, and critique and produce
public documents.
Materials
used:
One computer with Internet connection and a word processing
program is required for each student.
The students:
This Journalism class was an English elective course, so
participants were more motivated than the average student. Most had a cursory
knowledge of computers, e-mail, and Web navigation; only a handful of
students had more complex technological knowledge. Students had to
have passed the New York State English Regents to participate, so they
had to be competent writers.
Overall value:
Most of my students had never looked critically at the media
before. To me, this is the best feature of the course--using available
technology to allow students to see what goes into the making of a
publication. Students also learn how to make their own Web pages
and see their stories (with their byline) online, which is extremely
rewarding for both themselves and their families.
Tips:
Bring in current publications for students to look through. Relate
your lessons to current stories and allow students to see more
traditional sources of news as well as their online counterparts.
Require students to watch the news. You will notice a new
sophistication in the way they interpret what they see. Students need
to write and find information on the spot. This immediacy is valuable
because it mimics the real world of journalism with its deadline
pressure. You may want to require that students can type fast
enough to keep up with the exercises.
|
About the teacher:
Sandy Scragg is in her second year of teaching at Murry
Bergtraum High School in New York City. Prior to entering the teaching
profession, Sandy worked in both television production and magazine
publishing. She received her M.A. in English Education from New York
University in May 2000.
E-mail:
sandy@sandyscragg.com
Subject
Areas:
English
Technology
Grade Levels:
10-12
|
