What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
4+ hours per week. Students will be asked to search multiple media resources on their own, analyze those sources, and share their conclusion with the class. Students will also conduct an interview of an individual, then write a sensationalized version of that interview. Finally, students will compare and contrast news sources, looking for fact, opinion, bias, sensationalism, slant, spin, unsubstantiated claims, and more. Homework should take about 1 hour per day to complete, outside of class. Additionally, students will be asked to watch or read news about current world events so that they may engage in class discussions about the 8 types of media bias.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 10
FAKE NEWS!!! It seems like everywhere we turn there is media screaming at us. But how do you know if what the media is sharing is fact, or fake? During this 4 day camp students will develop the skills to determine how to identify fake news from facts, and analyze the difference. They will learn about the 8 forms of media bias, and students will seek examples of each form in contemporary media sources. The examples of media bias presented with each lesson are fictional examples of media stories, like " Angry reports have been submitted recently from parents' who are demanding more from education now that classes have moved online." This particular topic sentence is an example of mind reading and jumping to conclusions. Students will scour current events to bring examples to their classmates, and interview an individual to draft their own sensational story! Day 1: Introduction to Media Bias - Fact vs. Opinion Day 2: Conclusions, Opinions, Mindreading and Mudslinging Day 3: Spin, Slant, Sensationalism, and Unsubstantiated Claims Day 4: Write and Share your Sensationalized Slant and Unsubstantiated Claims Students should be able to use Google Docs or MS Word, and have a reading and writing level of at least middle school (grade 6 minimum) to enjoy success in this class. Participation IS required, which means students will need to speak and sometimes appear on video during class. **********PLEASE READ************* Outschool has recently changed its policy regarding class cancellations. We know how disappointing canceled classes can be for learners, so we too are amending our policy. In the past we have waited for late enrollees, of which we have had MANY! Unfortunately we can no longer do that. The start of multi day classes will be postponed if enrollment falls below 3 learners within 48 hours before the class is scheduled to begin. Full refunds will be provided for learners who cannot attend the newly scheduled class time. All other refunds will be provided as per the Outschool Limited Refund policy (see below). If for any reason the class does not meet your expectation, you have the confidence of knowing that Outschool has a Happiness Guarantee and will provide a refund upon request via their Customer Support.
Learning Goals
Students will:
Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.
Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis.
Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
News and media by nature may contain topics which some families find uncomfortable. Students will be asked to bring one example of media bias to class each week, and there is a chance the article or story selected could reflect world conflict, law enforcement, violence, racial profiling, economic hardships/poverty, and more.
Supply List
Students will need access to media sources, both online and television.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
1 teacher has a teaching certificate
Ohio Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
1 teacher has a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Education from Lourdes College
1 teacher has a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Auburn University
Mrs. Bixler is a National Board Certified English Language Arts educator who has taught at the middle and high school levels, as well as at the university level. Teaching students how to critically analyze sources has been integral to her teaching practice, and that includes the critical analysis of media sources.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$60
for 4 classes4x per week, 1 week
50 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-16
3-6 learners per class