Program
What grades are involved?
Sixth through 12th.
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Does the project replace existing classes?
No. The project is a unit of six to 10 classroom sessions that is incorporated into existing social studies, history and English classes.
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How can I get involved?
Anyone, including students, can contribute ideas through the site’s blog or by contacting the project’s staff. Journalists can obtain a form to sign up and enter the project’s directory of volunteer fellows. School administrators, teachers and prospective financial supporters can fill out a form to express their interest in participating or learning more about the project.
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What tools are students being given to help them distinguish verified information from unverified?
Students are being given guidance to determine whether the information is news, opinion, gossip, advertising or propaganda. If it purports to be news, students are being encouraged to look at from several perspectives: who created it; what sources are cited for any claims; whether there is documentation to back up assertions; whether it reflects bias, and whether it is fairly presented.
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Is the program dealing primarily with mainstream media?
No. Since most students get much of their information online, the project has a major focus on digital media. Wikipedia, blogs and Google are among the topics that it addresses.
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Is the goal of the project to create future journalists?
The project has chosen to focus on students who are not in journalism classes. But it is using the tools of journalism to teach students how to verify information and to increase their understanding of how the news media works. And it aspires to light a spark of interest in consuming news and information that will make students better informed citizens and voters.
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Since most journalists are not teachers, what are you doing to ensure they will be effective?
Most journalists have considerable experience and expertise to offer. We provide orientation and training as well as the project’s curriculum materials and structure. We encourage the journalists to work with our staff and teachers to make their presentations as engaging and effective as possible. We’re also giving the journalists feedback to help them improve with each classroom visit.
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Is news literacy widely taught in public schools in the United States?
No. Some middle schools and high schools offer courses in media literacy, but it is not generally part of the basic curriculum.
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What is the difference between “media literacy” and “news literacy”?
Media literacy looks at popular culture, entertainment and advertising as well as news. News literacy focuses on one branch of media literacy.
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How will you know if the project is succeeding?
We will measure whether students have learned key ideas and assess whether their participation in the project has changed their attitudes or their news media habits. In addition, all participants will be asked to provide feedback.
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