Bob Schieffer once said, "I think journalism is a great way to do public service, to have an impact on your community." My students are challenged with having real world technology that would enable them to create a digital school newspaper to bring them closer to their community.
We are a rural community covering a wide band of our county in central Ohio.
Our community is very spread out and includes three or four small towns. Therefore, it can be a difficult thing communicating our school needs to the community, as well as communicating what goes on in our school on a day to day basis.
Our school district has about 2000 students in total, many that are in the free and reduced lunch program. Our middle school where I teach has approximately 530 students and two part time computer labs to share. Our school district has not had the funds to purchase up-to-date technology.
I have students who are very bright but difficult to motivate. My students may have electronic game systems at home, but many of these same students lack technology at home such as Internet or even a computer to develop 21st century literacy skills.
My Project
These resources will give my students opportunity to gain 21st century literacy skills using real world technology. They will gain visual literacy skills using pictures, research and Internet skills as well as word processing skills with the computer and software. I have set up a Wikispace for students to use for a school newspaper. I would like to see students interviewing teachers, students, and community members and report their findings. I would like students to dig deeper and report their findings to their community about things they are learning about in school and even interviewing community experts to add to their learning. I envision the students being reporters, editors, photographers, researchers, artists, and other roles. This will be an area where students can question and find answers about topics of their choice of which their audience will be interested. Students will broaden all of their writing and literacy skills with this project.
It is vital for students to have real world experiences like this and to be able to use real world technology.
This project will motivate students to become thinkers and practice good citizenship. It will help my students feel connected to the community and the community to feel connected to them.
More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
This project will reach 85 students.
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