Topic: Mass Media (Exercise)

In exercise for this topic we focus on skill: Communication

Television, illustrative stock photo.Television, illustrative stock photo. (Source: Tomáš Benedikovič)

This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy. It is part of the Spectator College programme and it is linked to the articles: Watchers expect media freedom to drop and Celebrations held for public-service broadcaster.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

CONTENT
EXERCISE 1: Watchers expect media freedom to drop
EXERCISE 2: Celebrations held for public-service broadcaster
Recommended Usage and Format for exercises

EXERCISE 1 linked to the article: Watchers expect media freedom to drop

Lesson Objectives
-Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)
-Analyze position
-Respond to argument and work with evidence

SkryťTurn off ads

1. Read article (10 minutes)

  • Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.

2. Understanding: (5 minutes)

  • Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.

3. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)

  • What are the main threats to free of the media in Slovakia. Please use evidence from article to support your position.

4. Focused Free Write: (5 minutes writing, 5 minute discussion)

  • Prompt: Social media, “fake news” and the rise of nationalism across the globe make freedom of media more important for those countries striving for democracy. Explain either why you agree or disagree with this statement.

5. Discussion (10 minutes)

  • Find common views and dissenting views about freedom of media and its importance to a democratic society.

EXERCISE 2 linked to the article: Celebrations held for public-service broadcaster

SkryťTurn off ads

Lesson Objectives
-Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)
-Analyze position
-Respond to argument and work with evidence

1. Read article (5 minutes)

  • Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.

2. Understanding: (5 minutes)

  • Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.

3. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)

  • What is the role of RTVS is Slovak society? How has it changed over its lifetime (90 years for Radio and 60 years for TV)?

4. Focused Free Write: (5 minutes writing, 5 minute discussion)

  • Prompt: RTVS for the first time was ranked by as the station perceived to be most objective in a survey conducted by Median SK. It is essential for Slovakia that RTVS is not only perceived to be objective, but is factually objective. Agree or disagree with this statement and explain why you are taking this position.

5. Discussion (10 minutes)

  • Find common views and dissenting views about the importance and role of RTVS in Slovak society.

Recommended Usage and Format for exercises

We believe a discussion-based format is best for achieving the learning objectives. We also believe that using the technique Writing as Thinking helps students to formulate their ideas and practice their writing in advance of the discussion. The degree of facilitator and adult involvement will vary according to student background and secondary objectives.

Writing
Model by being willing to write along with students and also to share your writing with the class.
Let them know before writing if they will be asked to share their writing out loud.
Here writing is first thoughts, so poor spelling, punctuation or conventions are not the focus.
Focus on engaging with ideas.
They do not need to apologize for the quality of their writing.

Discussion
Set expectations for active listening and body language
Engage introverts and extroverts, be mindful of dominant voices
Be mindful of how much you are speaking
Manage time
Encourage students to respond directly to each other, and not through the facilitator, using evidence- I agree with Igor’s point because…
Encourage everyone to draw from evidence in the text to support their points, avoid generalizations

  • Can you point to a line in the text…
  • Can you help me to understand…
  • Could you give an example…

Use techniques to encourage other voices

  • Let’s hear some other thoughts…
  • Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t contributed yet...

Techniques for managing time/discussion

  • Put this in the parking lot and move on…
  • Let’s pause here…

Parts of the lesson
Focused Free Write- an opportunity for students to write freely, but about a specific prompt.
Reflection- an opportunity to think about the lesson, what they have learned and hopefully how it will help them or how it connects to their life
Underlining words- this strategy is a good habit for students and it also allows them more ownership of their vocabulary.

This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy and it is part of the Spectator College, a programme created by The Slovak Spectator.

Top stories

Slovakia marks 20 years since joining NATO.

Slovakia marks 20 years in the Alliance.


Daniel Hoťka and 1 more
Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad