Help children have a broader vision with free teaching resources from Global Education

The Centre for Global Education at York St John University has produced a series of teaching resources to help achieve that broader vision through a close look at media stories. These resources are free and downloadable from a special area on the NATE site.

The activities cover all kinds of texts: print, web-site, still image, video and sound. The aim is to develop in students an awareness of how the media influences their view of global issues.

With a focus on close textual analysis, the resources will be useful in both English and Media Studies. The approach steers students away from making quick judgements about what they think they see or hear. By isolating elements of media texts, such as: sound, visuals, or sections of the narrative, students are more able to concentrate on how key elements work and can be read by audiences.

The materials integrate practical skills with critical, analytical and creative approaches and can be adapted for different ages and abilities. There are sixteen topics, ranging from Child Soldiers to Mobile Phones in Kenya. Some units, such as the UNICEF website analysis can be covered in a lesson or two; others such as the ‘Radio Project’ could be used over half a term.

Each unit comprises a Teachers’ Page plus supporting material, from worksheets to web-links. Some lessons will need Internet access but others can be used in any classroom. There will be a more detailed article in the next Classroom but in the meantime do take a look.

Browse the resources on this special section of the NATE site:

• Re-viewing the world: Teaching resources from Global Education

Find out more:

• Visit the Centre for Global Education website for more information about the organisation