Leisure and Entertainment - JOURNALIST

Write a story
Social Media bans for young people!? Should it happen?
"Pale, Male & Stale" - is this the state of Sports Commentators?
"The" Science Journalists or Communicators - Prof. Brian Cox, David Attenborough and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki: a comparison!
Inquest Reports: the hidden costs (also under the Coroner)

Write a story

Primary Middle  Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

It was dark everywhere. I couldn't see Hamish and for some reason he wouldn't come when I called. I could hear something in front of me moving around but it wasn't my dog...

Finish off this story. How would it end if it was a scary story? How could you make it funny? Could it be a story about friends? Or should it be spooky? Try them all! How would you present this story in the school's newsletter?

How could you make it into a Newspaper story? What twists would you introduce?

Social Media bans for young people!? Should it happen?

 Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Information and Communication Technology Capability
Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking
Australian Curriculum General Capability: Personal and social capability
Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

Cooperative Learning Activity

1. Read the following articles from The Conversation and analyse their content

a. Educating young people about social media would be far more effective than a ban - Finland can show us how

Nov 22 2024
Susan Grantham, Lecturer in Communication, Griffith University; Aida Hurem, Lecturer, Southern Cross University

b. Banning under-16s from social media may be unconstitutional – and ripe for High Court challenge

Nov 25 2024
Sarah Joseph Professor of Human Rights Law, Griffith University

2. Brainstorm and Mind Map your analysis of each article remembering to keep in mind the title of this activity:

3. Write a Blog - only 3 paragraphs, analysing both articles; a paragraph for each article and then your summation.

4.

Compare and contrast your blog with another student.

Was their blog very different to yours? Why? Why not?

Try to find a totally different blog or aspect to your thoughts.

Discuss with the writer.

Reflection.

Would you now write something different in your blog? Why? Why not?

What did you learn about yourself in this process?

"Pale, Male & Stale" - is this the state of Sports Commentators?

Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Ethical Understanding

Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

Philosophy

Cooperative Learning Activity

Introduction

1. In groups of 3 - 4 students, read the following background information from 10 Daily News February 2020. 

Six of the country's greatest sports commentators have been honoured in Australia Post’s new stamp collection [February 2020].

The household names of cricket, rugby league, AFL and football have been celebrated in the series 'Word of Sport'.

"The six acclaimed and much-loved communicators featured in this stamp issue were household names in their respective sports," Australia Post wrote in a statement.

"The many thousands of Australians who avidly follow various sport codes rely on the insights of experienced sporting commentators to inform and entertain through television, radio, print and digital media."

The collection includes Richie Benaud, Les Murray, Reg Gasnier, Lou Richards, Jack Dyer and Bob Davis.

Cricketing legend Benaud retired from Test cricket in 1964 before embarking in a marvellous career in journalism and commentary that spanned decades. His catchphrases have gone on to become part of the vernacular of the cricketing world.

Rugby League Immortal Gasnier was forced into retirement with injury in 1967 after a celebrated career for St George and as captain of the Kangaroos. 'The Prince Of Centres' then began a career in media and broadcasting, most notably providing expert analysis for ABC Grandstand.

Murray coined the phrase 'The World Game', which went on to become the name of SBS' flagship football program.

Richards, Dyer and Davis were the legendary 'Three Wise Monkeys' on Channel 7's program 'League Teams' for nearly two decades in the 1960s to 1980s. They previously played for Collingwood, Richmond and Geelong respectively in celebrated careers in the VFL [Victorian Football League - before it became the AFL]. (Source: 10 Daily)

2. Do you know of any of these Sports Commentators?

What are Benaud "catchphrases"? [Ask your Sports teacher]

This video might give you some ideas...

https://youtu.be/4qqA-5yRt04

3. In your group, read The Conversation 13 February 2020

Pick out 2 - 3 points discussed in this article that resonated with you personally.

As a group, write up all the points from your group. Do NOT discuss at this point.

4. Read ABC News 9 February 2020

Research

Here is a list the female sports commentators from the first article. Have you heard them at all? Heard of them? Know their voices and style of commentary? Which sports do [did] they cover? As a group, split up these Sports Commentators so you are researching four [4].

Research each one and find a photograph of them. Share with your group.

The three attributes - "pale, male and stale" has now changed to "pale, female and exciting [not stale]".

What can be done about "Pale"?

Do you know of any Indigenous Sports Commentators? Male? Female?

6.

Discuss as a class

How could young female Indigenous sportspeople be encouraged to become Sports Commentators?

"Pale, Male & Stale" - is this the state of Sports Commentators?

"The" Science Journalists or Communicators - Prof. Brian Cox, David Attenborough and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki: a comparison!

Middle  Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Ethical Understanding

Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability Priority

Cooperative Learning Activity

1. In groups of 3 - 4 students, you are to view the following (or parts of the following videos) and make a "Compare and Contrast" analysis [Look at this page to see what is required of you].

2. As you describe Prof. Brian Cox, David Attenborough and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, focus on what made each Science Communicator unique, similar, the challenges each faced, the lengths they went to to describe their subject, and what each has achieved. What brought each of them to this Science Communicator path?

3. What do you think is the most important difference between these 3 Science Journalists or Presenters. Discuss within your group.

4. You need to defend your own position within your group and then with another group of students.

5. Now that you have compared these three Science Journalist, list the characteristics you have to become a Science Journalist. What do you need to do to get onto the path of becoming a Science Journalist? [We have only looked at TV Science Journalists - also think about creating blogs or being on the radio!]

Brian Cox explains why time travels in one direction - Wonders of the Universe - BBC Two
https://youtu.be/uQSoaiubuA0

Prof. Brian Cox Explains Why Ghosts Aren't Real | Lorraine
https://youtu.be/FUbJEUQYjKk

Top 5 David Attenborough Moments | BBC Earth
https://youtu.be/-tvA3Ezqjl8

Great Moments in Science - with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
https://youtu.be/XXaXXak5SG0

Dr Karl: Contrails, Mars, and the dearth of critical thinking
https://youtu.be/D9BLtsbdGb4

Inquest Reports: the hidden costs

Found under the "Coroner" - Classroom activities.

  Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy 

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Personal and social capability

Cooperative Learning Activity

Websites, Games & Apps

School Newspaper Unit Primary Middle  Secondary Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy Scoop it! Easily Publish a Magazine - Free Primary Middle  Secondary Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy Australian Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability	The New York Times - Less is More: Using Social Media to Inspire Concise Writing Secondary Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy Local Copy - Word doc
	Media News Education
Right on Time? (Old!) Now Archived at: NYTImes Middle Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy	Intro to Journalism (a Research Assignment, not a WebQuest as stated) Local copy - updated May 2025 with Australian resources Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy Australian Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability