Final Individual Reflection and Course Survey

CLICK HERE to complete the final reflection on your class and work assignments.
NOTE: This is for the period from November (mid-term) until now.

CLICK HERE to complete the course survey.

Make sure to submit the forms when you have completed them. 

Facing Fake News

Photo Source: https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7005/6641427981_6296af68e1.jpg

Introduction

NOTE: If using Google Docs: Click here to make a copy of the worksheet you will use as you go through each section of this assignment. 

If using MS Word: Click here to view the worksheet and select the text and copy and paste into your MS Word Document.  

Everyone has heard the term "Fake News." Most of us are well aware that much of what we read online might be false information. 

But what happens when the information appears to be coming from a legitimate source, or the information is shared with us from someone we follow on social media? 

Further, it is important to also realize that the idea of "Fake News" is not a new thing. It has actually been around for a long time. 

Fake News can take the form of propaganda (Ramses II of Ancient Egypt or what is called "Yellow Journalism." False information has been used in the past to both misinform the public and make money. 

Now, with the internet, anyone with an agenda can create false information in an attempt to sway your opinion, make money or create doubt and suspicion - just think about all the online conspiracy theories! 

Before you go any further, read about the history of Yellow Journalism (click here). 

Make sure to type your response to this information in your worksheet. Consider what you find interesting, surprising or confusing.  You can also connect it to your own prior knowledge or experiences. 

WikiLeaks and Whistleblowers

We viewed a two-part documentary about Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, and you submitted a response to some of the issues explored in the documentary.

You will now extend on your learning and understanding of whistleblowing. Below are some suggested topics that you can explore, and a few links to help get you started. What you explore is pretty wide open as long as it is related to whistleblowing, WikiLeaks or leaked information.

So select something that you figure you will have some interest in and spend some time online doing some research on your topic.

Once you have read and/or viewed information, make a new Google or MS Word Document and write a reflection about your topic. Include in your reflection:

• An explanation/short summary of the topic (include links to any sites where you learned more about it, even any of the provided links you use)
• Your own reflection on the topic (consider, if possible, relating the topic to the documentary we watched; or if the issue is not easily relatable, provide new thoughts and opinions).
• Discuss how this topic can (or does) connect to the world of journalism. For example, what implications does it have for how the public receives information and how to trust online sources? What challenges do you think your topic raises for journalists and the news media? What struggles might occur when it comes to journalism ethics and standards? 

Don't forget to share your completed assignment with the teacher (allancarterspace@gmail.com or allan.carter@nbed.nb.ca).
Deadline is next Tuesday, December 16. 

Wondering about WikiLeaks

This class activity will be completed on Monday, December 01. If you missed it, then please follow the instructions below to complete the activity. 

CLICK HERE to watch the documentary (NOTE: open up the link below for the handout, so you can consider the questions as you watch)

Using Google Docs: CLICK HERE to access the handout. Complete the handout and share on Google Drive. Please let your teacher know when you have completed it.

Using MS Word: CLICK HERE to view the handout, select the text and make a copy of it your MS Word Document. 

The Interview (Note: For students who missed the class activity)

Below are the details for the class activity (The Interview) that has already been completed in class.
If you missed the class activity, please complete this assignment. 
NOTE: Make sure to let the teacher know you shared your completed assignment.

CLICK HERE to read the notes about interviewing.

Read the small biography on the journalist Barbara Frum. Frum died in 1992, but she is still known today for her talented interviewing style.

One of Frum’s most confrontational interviews was in 1975 when she interviewed Sandra Good a follower of Charles Manson and a roommate of Lynette Fromme who was also a follower of Charles Manson. The interview was held after an assassination attempt by Lynette Fromme on the United States President Gerald Ford.

CLICK HERE to see a breakdown to help explain who is involved.
CLICK HERE (if using Google Docs) or HERE (if using MS Word you can make a copy of them) to complete the questions while (and after) you listen to the interview. Read them over and have them opened as you listen. 
Click here to listen to the interview.

Caught in Lies

Below are links to articles on journalists who have been caught in lies. Read the two articles and complete a written response based on the questions below. Include a creative title for your entry and share with your teacher on Google Drive (allancarterspace@gmail.com) or Microsoft Word (allan.carter@nbed.nb.ca). Remember to look at how your work will be assessed. The assessment is below the questions. This assignment is to be completed and shared by next Monday, November 24. Please Note: Next Monday's class will include an activity and discussion, so you will not have the class time to work on this assignment. 

The articles

• Jimmy's World (you can also read more background information on the journalist here)


• The Wafer Story

Questions to use for your journal reflection:

• Have you ever considered that the news you read (or watch or hear) may be factually incorrect or even fabricated? Explain why or why not.


• What is your reaction to the two articles? Were you surprised to find out that professional journalists have fabricated news?


• Journalist Jack Shafer writes “most liars make things up for the simple reason that they don't have the talent or the ability to get the story any other way.” Do you agree with Shafer's assertion? Explain.


• Given what Shafer says, do you think that colleges and universities should make sure graduating journalism students can handle the responsibilities and pressures? Discuss your thoughts in your entry.


• Do you think when issues of ethics arise that a news ombudsman helps? A news ombudsman is a professional journalist whose sole responsibility is to respond to reader complaints and provide an independent critique of the paper's performance. Explain why or why not. You can read the beginning of this article if you require additional information.

How you will be assessed on the following (5 pts each for a total of 20 pts):

• Overall, the journal entry shows much thought and effort.


• There are fewer than three grammatical errors or sentence structure issues in the entry.


• Each question provided for the entry has been effectively addressed.


• The entry was completed on time and includes a creative title.

Creating and Reviewing Your Midterm Plan of Action

Your team spent some time considering what you will do as you enter into the second half of the semester. Based on that information and the discussions you will have today in your teams, you will come up with a specific plan of action that will include what actions (or steps) you will have to take to reach the goal(s) who will specify. Your team will also consider how to measure your goals. In other words, how often will you strive to complete "a product"? For example, if your team was doing videography, you could strive to complete at least one video product each week as a way to measure your success. 

USING GOOGLE DOCS: CLICK HERE to make a copy of the template you will use in Google Docs to create your plan of action. This Google Document also includes an example that you can use as a guide.

USING MS WORD: If you are using MS Word, CLICK HERE to view the template and you can copy the text and paste the text into Word. Note: Your page orientation should be landscape (click on the "layout" option). 

Make sure to review the work your team previously did and discuss what your team wants to pursue and how you will go about doing that. 

Remember, the purpose of this activity is to help your team focus on what you think would be the best direction to take so your team can improve on what you have been doing already.

Once you have complete your Plan of Action in Google Docs, share it with your teacher. Make sure to re-title the Google document or MS Word document. You can then start or continue your work assignments for this week. At some point this week, your teacher will discuss your plan of action with you and your team.