- Students discuss
the contents of the videos, their answers to questions, vocabulary,
and projects, and also their own feelings about the issues raised
in each video. Discussions should allow students to express their
ideas about these issues and also identify interesting questions
which can then provide opportunities for further research, learning,
discussion, and reports.
- Ideally, instructors
will have in-class access to computers with projection facilities.
- However, getting
a copy of TV Nation #2 and a VCR/monitor is a good alternative
for classrooms without computer projection facilities. With or without
classroom computers, the whole class will benefit by watching segments
of TV Nation #2 to accompany their out-of-class assignments;
segments not included on the CD are also worth viewing and discussing.
- The
second part of the course (inspired by the ideas of Reciprocal
Teaching)
is
the part I like best because it is more open-ended and challenging
while building on and extending the work students do in the first
part. Students divide up into teams and watch different videos
in
order to write "reasonable" exercises and vocabulary
and expressions and projects, and then their classmates/instructor
give
them feedback (on the coherence and accuracy of their work without
seeing the video) and ultimately do those exercises the same way
they did the exercises provided by the CD.
- Writing
these exercises enables student collaboration, a deeper attention
to
and
understanding of the language and ideas in each video segment,
and also a process of writing, revision, editing, and "public" presentation.
A central belief behind these student-written exercises is that
such work with appropriate instructor/peer feedback will
result in greater English fluency and accuracy. Please let me know
if your classroom experiences support or disconfirm my beliefs.
Summary
of videos:
-
TV
Nation tells the story of an African-American who has trouble
with the local police department. Themes: crime, discrimination,
attitudes of police and others toward "minorities"
-
Chicago
Tonight tells the story of a professional athlete who was
suspended for using steroids, a drug that is legal but banned
by American professional football leagues. Themes: athletes using
legal and illegal drugs, organizations that penalize the use of
legal substances
-
TV
Nation tells a story identified as corporate crime - a bank
that received millions of dollars in tax breaks and then fired
several dozen workers. Themes: crimes and punishment, crime prevention.
-
Chicago
Tonight tells the story of Southern Baptists planning to
seek converts in Chicago, and the reaction of Chicago religious
leaders to this campaign. Themes: religious freedom, proselytizing
and avoiding having missionaries.
-
Chicago
Tonight tells the story of a Cuban boy whose mother dies
trying to leave Cuba and reach the USA. Themes: parental rights,
attitudes toward Cuba, using children for political purposes.
-
TV
Nation does a satirical piece on slavery because the state
of Mississippi did not abolish slavery until 1995. Themes: local
and national laws, attitudes towards slavery and discrimination.
-
TV
Nation attempts to challenge the right of a Connecticut community
to own and control a local beach. Themes: private versus public
property, tactics for challenging laws.
-
A
local news station has a Special Report on a bride and groom whose
wedding reception occurred during a power outage. Themes: wedding
customs and traditions, corporate and legal responsibility, when
are events newsworthy and why.
-
TV
Nation explores a decision by local government to increase
revenues, tourism and jobs by building public aquariums. Themes:
local government responsibilities, economic issues.
-
Politically
Incorrect explores what the government of New York City is
doing to homeless people. Themes: homelessness, attitudes toward
and policies about homeless people.
-
Politically
Incorrect discusses
the causes of divorces in the United States. Themes: marriage,
divorce, local wedding customs and traditions, expectations
about marriage.
TV
Nation exposes a company that produces baby walkers,
a product considered unsafe by many pediatricians.
Please
feel free to distribute this CD to colleagues and classmates,
but
remember
it's a free, educational, work-in-progress program for classroom testing
purposes only.
Please send comments and suggestions to dsorsa@depaul.edu Thanks.
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