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Activity 27
The Internet: Whose Point of View

Adapted from "Technology in the Classroom, A Global Perspective on Virtual Reality," in Issues in Global Education.  New York: The American Forum for Global Education, June 1997, No.142.

Grade Level

Secondary

Introduction

The Internet is a valuable resource for giving students multiple perspectives.  The example used in this activity deals with any current issue in the news.  Examples include the status of the Russian government, the plight of refugees in Africa or recent elections in another country.  This same activity could also be used to sample newspaper views of local, state or national issues.

Teacher/Student Objective

The goal of this lesson is to provide an experiential view of the news as it appears on the Internet in a variety of sources and from various points-of-view; in the process, the students will reinforce their Internet skills through finding web sites and evaluating information.

Gauging Student Understanding

The progress indicators cited reflect desirable end goals.  Teachers should be prepared to use a wide variety of observational, testing and authentic achievement evaluation measures in judging the progress of students.

By examining and evaluating a current issue in the world press (terrorism, financial troubles, peace negotiations, etc.), the students will demonstrate mastery of computer search skills by researching various points-of-view regarding the news event chosen.

By brainstorming and evaluating the possible value of sources of information (newspapers, journals, live interviews, etc.), locating viewpoints in such sources, and examining the potential of the Internet to give access to similar information, the students will demonstrate their ability to compare and contrast sources of information.

Suggested Materials

• Students must have online access.  Ideally, this lesson will take place in a classroom or computer room.  If no computers exist in the classroom, small groups of students may be sent to the library or media center to complete this activity and then return to the classroom for discussion.  Given the fact that so many students now have computers at home, some consideration might be given to making this a homework assignment for discussion the following day.

Initial Data for Consideration and/or Process

The class should be divided into work groups and assigned the following:

• Using a search mechanism on a browser locate an index of worldwide newspapers, select three countries, states, etc., relevant to the issue.  You may need to hold a brief discussion to remind students of the nature of "conservative," "liberal," "middle of the road," and other possible kinds of bias.  The group will need to find three different news accounts of the selected issue from three totally different sources (countries, regions, etc.).
• Print out the three news reports and read each.  For each of the reports record the specific source, a summary of the news story, and the point-of-view expressed.

After each group has completed its task, reconvene the full group and debrief findings.  Discuss and analyze differing points-of-view.

Other Possible Activities

The students' attention should be drawn to their own tendencies to express bias when engaged in writing, talking or in general discussion.  Specific issues for the students might be used to illustrate this situation and drive home the need to be very careful in accepting viewpoints casually or at face value.

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