The idea of using newspapers in education is not a new one; in fact, recorded references go back as far as the 1890s. During the first half of the 20th century educators and newspaper people increased the awareness of how current materials could maintain an important place in the school curriculum. Influential publications during this period…

Describes the use of a satellite TV "reportage" in a post A-level French language laboratory, and outlines follow-up speaking activities in two small-group classes. The "reportage" helped improve students' comprehension levels, provided speaking opportunities in different contexts, introduced French legal terms, and informed…

Suggests that students can learn to recognize media bias by studying media reports of current events or historical topics. Describes a study unit using media coverage of the second anniversary of the Palestinian uprising against Israel. Discusses lesson objectives, planning, defining bias teaching procedures, and criteria for determining bias. (DK)

Describes an upper-level undergraduate psychology course in which students applied psychological research to contemporary social issues. Students presented two reports on a controversial issue: one based on media reports and the other based on their own research. Reports that the experience gave students a better understanding of the strengths and…

Focused conversation is a method of collecting observations, emotions, interpretations, and decisions from groups that have shared a significant experience. This article reports how the author used focused conversation to discuss the events of September 11 with students in three sections of a master's-level organizational change class in the week…

Case study exercises, based on newsworthy current events, have been written for a biochemical audience that include elements of both "content" and "conflict." The cases have been written in such a way as to teach students basic biochemical principles. At the same time, a dilemma is posed to the students, who must use what they have learned about…

The effects of using newspapers as adjunct materials in education have been documented in recent research. Research results indicate that students are seriously deficient in civic knowledge, and that the newspaper can serve as a bridge between home, school, and community by educating youth about the real world and by influencing their knowledge of…

Describes a program to help secondary school students develop speech skills by exploring social issues through role-playing. Notes that this method motivates discouraged students, reduces communication anxiety, improves research skills, fosters appropriate verbal and nonverbal skills, and stimulates affective learning. (JG)

Discusses the importance of writing activities in the social studies, stating that teachers must plan assignments which provide opportunities for students to communicate their own understanding of the subject matter. Provides guidelines and examples of works of poetry, historical fiction, letter writing, and current events. (GEA)

Proposes sharing mathematics-related newspaper stories as a classroom method to illustrate the importance and relevance of mathematics in the students' lives. Provides examples of appropriate stories and ways they can be used in the classroom. (18 references) (MDH)

Reports on study of teacher decision making regarding instruction about Gulf War. Finds teachers were influenced by student grade level, number of students in class from another culture, and their own knowledge of Middle Eastern history and geography. Concludes that local and state curriculum officials should provide more flexibility so teachers…

Maintains that traditional social studies education materials such as textbooks and maps are ineffective when compared with the tools of information technology. Describes the equipment and software necessary to set up online technology for communications and database searching. Includes descriptions of several classroom projects using information…

Describes the rationale, instructional objectives, and instructional procedures of the National Issues Forum program for secondary social studies. Asserts that the program's content and learning strategies develop and improve student's decision-making skills and knowledge of significant contemporary issues. Contends that business and corporate…

This paper outlines a project that provides a framework for engaging students in current events in such a way that they develop and improve critical sociological thinking through regular and structured writing assignments. Though this paper describes a news-analysis project that is similar to many that have been used in sociology classrooms both…

Incorporating newspapers into a science course encourages students to take control of their learning. Assignments related to newspapers facilitate active learning in a classroom environment focused on the learner. Several different types of assignments are described for three different general education science courses. (Contains 3 tables.)