Common Sense - This Just In Digital Media Literacy 8th Grade

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This Just In!

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP | GRADE 8

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Essential Question

How should we react to breaking news?

Define breaking news and understand why individuals and news outlets want to be first to report a story.

Analyze breaking news alerts to identify clues of false or incomplete information.

Reflect on the consequences of reacting right away to breaking news alerts.

Learning Objectives

l

2

3

Poll

Have you ever seen this type of sign before?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

What do you think "Breaking News" means?

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KEY VOCABULARY

Breaking news

Information being reported about an event that has just happened or is currently occurring

Poll

When you have seen something like this, how has it made you feel?

• Curious or Interested

• Nervous

• Indifferent

• Concerned

• Anxious

Open Ended

What are the benefits of being the first to "break" news,
For Individuals:
For News Outlets:

• Have more viewers/readers

• Make more money because of higher ratings/more advertisers

• Be well-known or famous

• A reporter wanting to be promoted or gain recognition

News Outlets

• Gain more followers, "likes," and shares

• Be viewed as important or more knowledgeable

• Excitement of the moment; being in the know

Individuals

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KEY VOCABULARY

24/7 News Cycle

24-hour, seven-day-a-week investigating and
reporting of news via television, radio, print, online, and mobile app devices

Immediacy vs accuracy

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Analyze the social media and news posts

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Analyze the social media and news posts

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ACTIVITY: BREAKING DOWN BREAKING NEWS

Alerts No. 2 and 3 are not from established
news organizations. News organizations
follow professional standards and practices
to verify news reports and make
corrections when they get facts wrong.

Alert No. 1 uses words
and phrases that show
there's likely more
information to come.

Alert No. 3 is presenting the story in a
particular way, as if it is connected to
something that happened several years
before. The author of this post wants people
to believe that their rights are being taken
away. This is an example of bias.

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KEY VOCABULARY

Bias

Showing a strong opinion or preference for or against something or someone

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Let's check the news update

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What I thought vs. what was missing or wrong...

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ANALYZE: CRITICAL EYE FOR BREAKING NEWS TIPS

Before reacting, slow down and ...

Check the source. Is the news from a reliable news organization?

• If not, it may be questionable. See if other news organizations are reporting the sme thing.

Look to see if there's more information to come. Does the article mention important details that aren't yet known?

• If so, it may be better to wait for the whole story before deciding what to think or sharing.

Analyze for bias. Does the author or source organization have an agenda or purpose for talking about the story?

• If so, look for a different source.

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