School is Easy Tutoring

Tutoring Agency

  • Home
    • Our Offerings
  • Subjects
    • English
    • English
    • Maths
    • Maths
    • Science
    • Science
    • ESL
    • ESL
    • Social Studies
    • Social Studies
    • ACT Prep
    • Special ED
    • SAT Prep
    • FSA Test Prep
    • Language Studies
    • Language Studies
    • Test Prep
    • Test Prep
    • Spanish, French, German
    • Irish / Gaeilge
    • Music
    • Music
    • Chess
    • Computer Programming
    • Computer Programming
    • Tutoring Services
  • Location
    • Canada - British Columbia
      • Burnaby
      • Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam
      • Delta/White Rock/Tsawwassen
      • Maple Ridge
      • New Westminster & Port Moody
      • North/West Vancouver
      • Richmond
      • Surrey
      • Vancouver
    • Canada - Alberta
      • Edmonton
      • Leduc
      • Sherwood Park
      • St. Albert
      • Northwest Calgary
      • Southwest Calgary
      • Northeast Calgary
      • Southeast Calgary
    • Canada - Ontario
      • Mississauga East
      • Nepean
    • USA
      • California - Los Angeles
      • California - San Diego
      • California - San Fransisco
      • California - San Jose
    • Dubai
      • Downtown Dubai
    • England
      • Lichfield & National Forest
      • Solihull
      • Sutton Coldfield & Tamworth
    • Scotland
      • Glasgow South
      • Stirlingshire
    • Ireland
      • Cork
      • Dublin / North Wicklow
      • Swords
    • Kosovo
      • Pristina
  • Reviews
  • About
    • Blog
    • School is Easy in the News
    • Awards
    • Community Impact
    • Become a Tutor
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Our App
    • App
    • Terms of Service
    • Contact & Support
  • Franchise
sie-img1

Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (10): citizen journalism

Susan Cumberland September 22, 2017

hand taking photo with smartphone - article image for teaching kids citizen journalism

See our other articles on this series below:

  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (1): understanding the fundamentals of media
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (2): the elements of a news story
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (3): learning to write news copy (part 1)
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (3): learning to write news copy (part 2)
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (4): learning to research and identify sources of information
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (5): learning to critique the media and spot ‘fake news’
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (6): tips and resources for fact checking
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (7): covering magazines and feature stories
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (8): desktop publishing, design and layout training
  • Teaching kids how to start a newspaper (9): photojournalism

The importance of teaching kids about citizen journalism

In this series on teaching kids how to start a newspaper, we realize the goal of these lessons is not to produce career journalists out of our students. Instead, it is to help them become media literate.

It is important, as kids mature into adults, that they understand they are being given curated and selective messages in the media. This can affect what they believe to be true, or the biases they maintain. And, this is not just about understanding propaganda like the North Korean government-controlled media. Or war propaganda, which they may learn about in history class. Media messaging can be subtly biased, without being out-right propaganda.

Today, with the advent of mobile phones and easy-to-publish tools (like online blogs), it is the citizens who can do much of the reporting of what happens. This has brought about debate; there are pros and cons to citizen journalism.

In a way, though, some of the responsibility of making information accessible now lies on us – citizens – as opposed to editors, journalists and media conglomerates.

And so, are our children aware of these issues? Are they able to discern stories that need to be told to a wider audience? Do they know when to turn the camera on, and when to leave it off? And, can they identify the difference between quality journalism, and unprofessional reporting?

Showing kids examples of citizen journalism, and how it has made a difference so far

One of the best ways to learn is by example. In your class, group tutoring session or homeschooling lesson, you can show kids how citizen journalism has affected media coverage until today.

While not citizen journalism per se, the recent 2017 solar eclipse that travelled across North America brought about a citizen science project. People everywhere could record images of the solar eclipse, and its effects, thus helping scientists gather more data. This is the type of thing you can get your students to participate in, and teach them a science lesson about it too!

This article on CNN.com gives several examples of citizen journalism, and some may resonate with kids too. And this article, about the citizen reporting of the Ferguson riots, can get kids thinking about the way in which our cameras and mobile devices play a part in democracy and civil rights.

Although, we would advise that you use caution when presenting cases to certain age groups or personalities, as they can bring about some other serious talks, which parents may want to have with their kids.

Teach kids about the limits of citizen journalism

As this article explains, our kids of today need to understand how to be citizen journalists in a responsible way. The role of journalists in the recent past was to report on events with training, and an understanding of the laws and moral implications of doing so.

For instance, kids should be taught about the difference between citizen journalism and an invasion of privacy. They also need to know the potential downfalls of publishing hearsay and rumour, as opposed to hard facts and research. They also need to understand how context changes the meaning and interpretation of a video or photo – the things that happened before and after can tell a new story. And, as we discussed in earlier lessons of this series, kids need to be taught the difference between opinion and fact – and that means recognizing their own bias too (the ones we all think we don’t have, included!).

This page of Wikipedia also explains how citizen journalism differs from other types of efforts, with similar naming. It gives a rundown of the history of citizen journalism, its uses, and its outlets too.

Finding online lesson plans to teach citizen journalism to students

We found a couple of lessons you can use when teaching kids about citizen journalism:

  • The Citizen Reporter – Lesson
  • Journalism Skills for Engaged Citizens

To conclude: students may not turn journalism into a career, but they can still participate in media coverage as citizens

After learning the ins and outs of responsible reporting, we hope that kids can learn the importance of citizen journalism, its dangers, and its role within a democratic society. They may not turn reporting into their career of choice. But that hasn’t stopped many who contribute to society’s storytelling today, still making a difference through mass media.

 

Share

Your kids CAN overcome difficult subjects in school – we believe it!

Get professional, screened, trained and experienced tutors.

Book a Tutor Online Now!

Book a Tutor Online Now!

Filter the blog

  • All blog posts
  • Parent Interests
  • Teacher & Tutor Resources
  • Kid’s Health

Newsletter signup!

Get educational topics delivered to your inbox bi-monthly or less! Unsubscribe anytime.

Thank you for visiting School is Easy Tutoring!

Aspiring to be one of the best tutoring franchise globally, we strive to ‘reach for the moon.’ We are constantly asking for feedback from our parents and teachers. If you have any questions to ask us, or would like to share your thoughts on your experiences with us, use our contact info below.

Mail only address

School is Easy Tutoring Head Office (North America) 100 York Blvd, Suite 400 Richmond Hill, ON Canada, L4B 1J8


School is Easy Tutoring Head Office (UK) 170 Erdington Road, Aldridge, WS9 0RZ

Our Tutoring Franchise

  • Contact Headquarters
  • Educational Resources
  • Our Website Use Privacy Policies
  • Tutor & Parent Blog
  • Blog Contributors
  • Our Tutoring Franchise
  • Career Opportunities

Tutoring Areas

  • Kosovo
    • Pristina
  • Ireland
    • Dublin / North Wicklow
    • Cork
    • Swords
  • Scotland
    • Glasgow South
    • Stirlingshire
  • England
    • Lichfield & National Forest
    • Solihull
    • Sutton Coldfield & Tamworth
  • Canada – British Columbia
    • Burnaby
    • Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam
    • Delta/White Rock/Tsawwassen
    • Maple Ridge
    • New Westminster & Port Moody
    • North/West Vancouver
    • Richmond
    • Surrey
    • Vancouver
  • Canada – Alberta
    • Edmonton
    • Leduc
    • Sherwood Park
    • St. Albert
    • Northwest Calgary
    • Southwest Calgary
    • Northeast Calgary
    • Southeast Calgary
  • Canada – Ontario
    • Mississauga East
    • Nepean
  • USA
    • California – Los Angeles
    • California – San Diego
    • California – San Fransisco
    • California – San Jose
  • Dubai
    • Downtown Dubai

Common tutoring subjects

  • ESL tutoring
  • French Immersion tutoring
  • Math tutoring
  • Science tutoring
  • English tutoring
Book a local tutor Own a Franchise Visit our blog

School is Easy is a proud member of the LaunchLife family.

Copyright © 2023

· School Is Easy Tutoring | 100 York Blvd, Suite 400, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada, L4B 1J8 | 1-855-996-9977 (Head Office)

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

587-355-9755

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

587-355-9755

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

587-355-9755

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

587-355-9755

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

0113 465 0044

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.
* indicates required field

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

+971-58-559-EASY

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

0208 066 1443

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

01727 639500

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

01923 547407

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

613-600-2655

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

1(289)295-1323

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

021 2021199

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

07957 421 885

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

07957 421 885

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

0113 465 0044

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

01422 767 700

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

0208 066 1443

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

03330 151932

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

289 787 0800

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

+383 (0)48 473 279

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

07541 100 425

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

01 5563553

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

03330 151932

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

03330 151932

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

604 283 9914

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

07541 100 425

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

587 355-5735

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

954 395 2507

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

561-463-4000

we'd love to connect with you.

For further information or to schedule a free consultation, please fill in your details below.

we'd love to connect with you.