Journey of the Journalist WebQuest - for all those interested in Journalism and online newspapers.
Focus Question: "How Can I Be A Journalist?"
Click on a link on the above table.
Good Luck, Journalists of Warwick West State School.
The Warwick West State School Online Newspaper needs you now! Sign up today . . .
During this WebQuest you will research what a journalist does, how a newspaper is created and how to write newspaper articles.
Then you will use that information to become a member of the journalist team who will create the first ever Warwick West State School online newspaper about interesting events within the school in 2003.
There will be times when you will work on your own and times when you get to work with others. The research tasks will be completed in groups - your teacher will tell you what group you are in.
By the end of the WebQuest you should be able to answer the Focus Question: "How Can I Be A Journalist?"
Good luck in your Quest to find information that will help you become a great journalist.
Finding the Information
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Using the Resources Page your group will need to locate information and complete each of the following activities: |
Newspapers in general - In your group, find information and then print out and fill in a Y Chart for newspaper.
Examples of newspapers – Make a poster that shows the Names and Addresses of Newspapers, both online and paper.
Online versus print newspapers - Fill in a SWOT Analysis for both Online and Print Newspapers
Purposes of a newspaper - Add to the poster "Purposes" on the whiteboard listing the purposes of the newspaper
Sections of a newspaper - Add a section to the Model Newspaper on the whiteboard that you have found in real newspapers
The job of a journalist - What do they have to do? Write a job description in Word.
Inverted Triangle - Find a picture of this and put it in your Learning Log.
Writing articles – Design a plan for your article - it must have the 5W's and the inverted triangle.
Editing articles – Add to the poster "Being Accurate" - write 1 reason each of why we need to have accurate information.
How do they make a newspaper - draw a diagram and place it in your Learning Log
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In the chatroom talk about your answer to the Focus Question: "How Can I Be A Journalist?" |
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Write your personal answer in your Learning Log. |
Use the Information
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You need to write an application letter, using Microsoft Word, to the editor stating why you think you should have a position on the School's first online newspaper (need help - go to the Process Page) |
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Now send your application to your teacher (need help - go to the Process Page) |
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You will then receive a reply stating what your position will be and what is expected of you |
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You will need to collect data, take photos and plan a news article for the newspaper (need help - go to the Process Page) |
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All work will be kept in your Learning Logs |
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Take your plan to the editor for proofreading or email it to your teacher |
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You will then turn your news article plan into a web page for the newspaper (need help - go to the Process Page) |
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All webpages will be published on the school’s Internet Website |
Australian Newspapers: http://www.nla.gov.au/npapers/npapers_state.html#qld
Learning Network - http://www.nytimes.com/learning/
News Hour - http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/
Scholastic - http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/
Student News - http://www.studentnewsnet.com/index.php?fuseaction=home.pencilreports
Parts of a Newspaper Page - http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/creuss/ppnewspaper_files/frame.htm
How Newspapers Work - http://www.howstuffworks.com/newspaper.htm
About News - http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/newspaper2.htm
How Newspaper are distributed - http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/newspaper5.htm
How a newspaper is made - http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/newspaper4.htm
Writing Articles - http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/handouts/broadcast_news/news_article_formula.cfm
Ask a Journalist - http://sundaystartimes.newszone.co.nz/links/newszone_1_6.php
Links updated 1 October 2007, Mrs O
This section provides you with more information about how to do tasks on the Task's Page. If you are having difficulties completing a task check here first for more information. If you still need help - see your teacher.
Writing an application letter in Word
Here is an example of how to set out your application letter - example letter
Your letter should include: Opening, reference to the job you want, why you want the job, why the editor should give you the job, polite ending and your name.
Want even more information? Check this website out: http://www.helpyourself.co.nz/files/LetterOfApplication.pdf
Sending an email to the Editor
When sending your letter by email, you still need to be formal in the email message. You will have to identify yourself and explain what you have attached and why.
To attach your letter, in Outlook, simply open a new message and go to the insert menu. Then select attach (has a paperclip next to it) and select your application letter from your H: drive.
To attach your letter, using Webmail, open a new message and select attachments. Locate your letter and click on attach.
Collect data and photos for your article "Doing the Leg Work"
To collect information for your article - take notes of what you see, talk to people and ask them questions, take photos using the digital camera (ensure you ask a teacher first), find other newspaper clippings and collect pieces of work from the classes.
Writing a plan for your news article
This website will help you with the setting out of the article: Writing an article - http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/handouts/broadcast_news/news_article_formula.cfm
If you still require help you will need to see your teacher for advice.
Turn your article into a Webpage
Now for the exciting part . . .
Using FrontPage, which makes webpages and is similar to Word, create your document. You can add pictures, animations, a background theme and sounds. Don't worry about Navigation as a few of you will get to do this when all the pages are put together.
Self Evaluation
Use this Criteria Sheet to assess how well you have done or how you can improve your work before handing it in.
Teacher Evaluation
The teacher will be using this criteria sheet to assess your pieces of work.
Congratulations. You have completed all the activities and created the first online newspaper for Warwick West State School. It will an interesting read for all the students, teachers, parents and anyone who reads it on the Internet.
You have learnt about the job of the journalist, how a newspaper works and created your own newspaper. However, most importantly you have answered the question: "How Can I Be A Journalist?"
You should be proud that you have succeeded so well and created such a great piece of work. Maybe you will be a part of future editions of the Warwick West State School online newspaper, or maybe start other newspapers at other schools, or maybe, just maybe, you might end up as a journalist in the community one day.
Once again, Congratulations!
This WebQuest was designed for the students of the Warwick West State School 2003 E-Club Group 1 by Mrs S. Owczarek.
Entire List of Tasks for the Unit "Journey of The Journalist"
Identify the Need
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Complete a Multiple Intelligence Survey - discover student's strengths and weaknesses |
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Search for information on Journalism and Newspaper: make a list of useful sites - observe students ability |
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Chatroom discussion about Journalism and Newspaper - what do student know already? |
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Create a Learning Log (on computer and in print form) |
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Create a Vocabulary Sheet - start with words like: caption, headline, by-line, feature, editorial, logo, advertising, Internet, webpage, e-mail, journalist, newspaper and journalism |
Focus Question
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Introduce the question "How Can I Be A Journalist At Warwick West State School" |
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Write an individual and immediate response in Learning Log |
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Brainstorm ideas of what this might mean as a group – Using a concept map, what would we need to find out? |
Consider
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Introduction to the WebQuest – “Journey of the Journalist” on the Internet |
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Organise students in working teams and explain group member roles |
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Students participate in the WebQuest locating and recording in various ways information regarding to: |
Newspapers in general
Examples of newspapers – online and print
Online versus print newspapers
Purposes of a newspaper
Sections of a newspaper
The job of a journalist
Collecting information – interviewing, observations, photos
Writing articles – 5Ws and 1H – Structure – Inverted triangle
Editing articles – why be accurate
Publishing articles
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Collected information should be kept in students' Learning Logs in whatever form they see fit (may be a list of favourites, a list of addresses, actual information, notes etc), as well as the completion of the above tasks. |
Main Idea
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Make conclusions and generalisations through discussions and Learning Log entries |
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Participate in discussions in the chatroom and add a copy to Learning Log |
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As an end to the chatroom sessions students will discuss a group answer to the Focus Question |
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An independent answer will then be recorded in Learning Logs |
Inquiry
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Students apply for a position on the new online school newspaper team |
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Students send application letter via email to teacher |
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Students take up assignments within the school (eg. Sports, music or a particular year level) |
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Students collect data, take photos and plan a news article for the newspaper |
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All work will be kept in Learning Logs |
Presentation
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Students transform news article plan into a web page for the newspaper |
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All webpages will be published on the school’s Internet Website |
Reflection
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Within a chatroom discussion students will discuss: |
