Learnnewsdesk
THE NEWS GAP
In a world where media formats proliferate and increasingly compete for a share of our attention, it may be challenging for young people to connect with the world and develop an informed opinion. The Guardian wanted to be able to introduce current affairs and world news to youngsters in a way so that they can successfully grow into a full comprehension of mature newspaper content.
LINKING CURRENT AFFAIRS WITH THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
The Guardian set up Learnnewsdesk.co.uk - an online news portal where the content is specifically directed at 9-14 year olds. It provides direct links between what is going on in the world and what the readers are currently learning about at school.
The site is managed by a team of journalists who post world news articles, written entirely with this age group in mind, every day. Stories are written in a calm, factual and friendly manner and supported by a large range of other material, including a specially written activity with links to schools curriculum. A story about an important person in politics may be supported by a biography of that person and how they came to be important. When writing for younger readers, the team provide information in the form of background stories, remembering that they may not be old enough to have learnt first-hand about an issue or person when it was in the media previously.
Stories are also linked to curriculum areas and supplementary information is developed for teachers to help them discuss the news with pupils. This may offer the opportunity to use a story about football to clarify a maths problem. Lesson packs, which explore big news issues through Guardian articles, are written by teachers, in conjunction with the Learnnewsdesk journalists.
LESSONS LEARNED
The Guardian wants pupils to grow in confidence and self esteem and to make the most of their abilities - Learnnewsdesk.co.uk does just that by encouraging children to think about themselves as citizens of the world.
The site fosters a daily reading habit, which readers should hold on to as they grow into mainstream media. Its links with curriculum subjects all teachers to help foster an understanding of how the stories are put together and what impact the stories make.
Readers are able to write their own articles and comments and submit them for inclusion into the site. By interpreting the events in their own way and creating their own versions, the children begin to see how media is subjective and enable them to compare their own work critically with others. Children can also post podcasts and spoken articles, increasing the understanding of the different ways media accesses their lives.
The site also provides subject discussion forums – allowing the children to express their views of world events and see how others have interpreted it.
See www.learnnewsdesk.co.uk for more information.
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