This lesson, the fourth in a series of six, explains the art of presentation and how to share your news safely with a worldwide audience.
We also have a pick and mix section where teachers can pick out resources to create bespoke lessons for their pupils.
And the special Teacher Essentials section includes lots of extra information and advanced resources.
Please note: this lesson is designed to run for an hour, but all timings (except for video durations) are approximate and can be expanded or reduced as required.
OBJECTIVES
To develop presentation skills
To understand that news is not news unless you share it with an audience
To develop an awareness of the issues surrounding sharing news online and to become responsible digital citizens
OVERVIEW AND RESOURCES
1 - Video - Broadcasting news - 2 mins 30 secs (+ 2-3 mins to recap/discuss) Resources required: Internet access
2 - Video - Presenting masterclass - 3 mins 30 secs Resources required: Internet access
3 - Activity - How many people have read it? - 20 mins Resources required: Internet access
4 - Video - Web masterclass - 3 mins 30 secs Resources required: Internet access
5 - Activity - Using the internet safely - 20 mins Resources required: Printable worksheet
6 - Quiz - Broadcasting news - 10 mins Resources required: Internet access or printable worksheet/answer sheet
ACTIVITIES
Video: Broadcasting news (2 mins 30 secs + 2-3 mins to recap/discuss)
Broadcasting news (duration: 2 mins 30 secs)
BBC newsreader Huw Edwards explains what's involved in broadcasting the news.
Whether it's standing in front of the camera, talking into the mic or publishing a written story on the web, broadcasting is when you tell everyone your story.
Video: Presenting masterclass (3 mins 30 secs video + 2-3 mins to recap/discuss)
School Report's presenting masterclass (duration: 3 mins 30 secs)
Presenting is not as easy as just standing in front of a camera and reading an autocue!
To be a top presenter that viewers want to watch takes some work and preparation.
Practising your script so that you are familiar with any tricky names or difficult words will help you feel more confident.
And don't forget - everybody gets nervous and everybody makes mistakes from time to time, even experienced BBC presenters. Sam advises what to do if you do trip up on a tongue-twister!
Watch BBC Three's Sam Naz in action (duration: 1 min)
And this short clip shows Sam putting her tips into practice as she presents 60seconds.
You can read the script for this episode of 60seconds in the below worksheet to get an insight into how much information Sam can cram into a short bulletin.
If you have time, why not try presenting the script yourselves to see how difficult it is.
Your teacher has placed a news report somewhere in the classroom. Find it.
NOTE FOR TEACHERS
Teachers, print off a new story from either the BBC News, BBC Local, Newsbeat or CBBC Newsround website and place it somewhere in the classroom for students to find.
Now answer the following questions:
1. How many people do you think have read it?
2. How many people do you think you would have read it without being told it was there?
3. How many people do you think would have read it if you placed it on a notice board in reception?
4. Where could you place it so that the maximum number of people could read it?
Broadcasting is all about getting your news out there putting it in places where your audience can access it. It's also about sharing your news, in other words, letting people know that it's there.
Placing your news on your school website and telling people that is there is a good way to broadcast your news. And you can increase the number of people who read it by placing it elsewhere.
However big your potential audience is, your reports should always be accurate and legal.
Now research and answer the following questions:
5. How many people visit your school website each month?
6. How many people read your local newspaper each month?
7. How many people listen to your local radio station each month?
8. On which of these platforms could you place some of your reports?
9. On which other platforms could you place your reports?
Video: Web masterclass (3 mins 30 secs video + 2-3 mins to recap/discuss)
School Report's web masterclass (duration: 3 mins 30 secs)
Senior broadcast journalist Iain Mackenzie is in charge of the BBC News Online technology index, and writes and edits stories for the website every day.
But writing for the web is not as simple as typing out a few sentences and then hitting publish.
If you want people to pay attention to your reports - and hopefully come back for more - then there are a few tricks of the trade to think about.
Find out how much you know about broadcasting the news and sharing it with your audience. Are you across all the final checks that are needed before going live?
1.) Media law
You are the editor. One of the reporters in your team has used a song by a famous band in his report. Is he allowed to do this?
Yes, because he downloaded it legally.
Yes, because he is crediting the band.
No, because he doesn't have permission.
2.) News values
A report contains this sentence: Jake Jones from Year 8 said he was upset that Year 9 pupil Chris Carter hadn't won the race. What's wrong with it?
It includes the surnames of people under the age of 18.
It doesn't give their ages.
It shouldn't have given their year group.
3.) Social networking
How old do you have to be to use most social networking sites?
11
13
14
4.) Checking
It's 1.30pm on News Day and you are putting the finishing touches to your story. Who should check each item one last time before the 2pm deadline?
Your head teacher
The camera operator
Your teacher or the person they've asked to be the editor
5.) Taste and decency
When sharing content online, you should post...
Things that would make your friends laugh.
Things that you wouldn't mind your teacher seeing.
Anything that will get people's attention.
6.) Running order
Your reports are done and they are about to be put on your school website. Which story should go first?
The story your teacher likes best.
The story that is most important to your audience.
The longest story.
7.) Media law
Another School Reporter has found a nice picture using an image search engine and asks you if he can use it in his web story. What's your advice?
Yes, because it's online
No, you can only use pictures you've taken yourself.
Maybe, depending on the source of the picture.
8.) Media law
Someone on your team wants to cover a court case and interview his classmates. He wants to ask whether the defendant is guilty or not. What should you do?
Go ahead. If people want to talk about it, let them.
Don't do it. The case isn't over.
Do it, but with some who say he's guilty and others who say he isn't.
9.) Media law
A major news website has this headline on their front page: Footballer paid to throw matches. What type of law should you think about before reporting this story?
Copyright
Defamation
Contempt
10.) Sharing
You've made a great video report but technical problems mean you can't put it online. What should you do?
Publish your script directly onto the school site.
Adapt your script into a written article.
Wait until the technical problem has been solved, then get the video online.
11.) Sharing
As well as uploading to your school website, you might like to share your news, by placing it on other platforms. Which of these might NOT be a good place to post?
Your school newsletter.
A free video sharing website.
A partner school's website.
Answers
He can't use the song because he doesn't have permission - unless that it is, he's written to the band and they've given their permission in writing. Copyright laws protect people's work and you could get in trouble for using something you're not allowed to.
It includes the surnames of people under the age of 18. If you were editing this piece, you should remove the surnames of both boys from the story. One of the BBC's news values is about safeguarding children and that includes protecting the identity of young people.
You have to be at least 13 to use most social networking sites. Remember to be careful about what you say and never post any personal information, like your phone number or address.
Your teacher or the person they've asked to be the editor should check each story before it goes out. Remember, check that you haven’t used surnames and watch out for any spelling mistakes!
You should only post things you wouldn't mind your teacher seeing. Remember, when you put content online, anyone can see it. So something you might think is funny could be extremely offensive to someone else. Think carefully before you publish.
The story that is most important to your audience should go first. Hopefully, you'll be able to grab their attention and they'll stick around to see what else you have to offer!
He might be able to use it depending on the source of the picture. Make sure you have the permission of the person who owns the photo, which is usually the person who took it, before using it. Some photo agencies have already given their permssion for School Reporters to use their images, but only if they are already being used on the BBC News website and have one of the following credits in the bottom right hand corner: AP, PA, AFP or Getty.
You shouldn't do the story as the case isn't over. Legal stories are very difficult to report and should be avoided unless you have been giving proper training. Journalists at the BBC would not report others commenting on an ongoing case as there is a risk it could influence the jury. And that could get a journalist in a lot of trouble.
Defamation is the law you need to think about before you report this story. Defaming someone means publishing or broadcasting something that would make people think less of a person. The fact it has already been reported already doesn't mean you can publish it too. Be sure of your facts before reporting this kind of story.
You should adapt your script into a written article. Even if you've written an amazing script, it might not work without the pictures that went with it. But since you've already done the report, you know the story and should be able to adapt it to make a great written piece! News involves deadlines and if you wait for the technical problem to be solved, your news may no longer be new.
It might not be a good idea to publish your news on a free video sharing website without checking what else is on there. That's because many free video sharing websites contain adverts and recommend other videos that might not be suitable for young people. The good news is there are some video sharing websites that are suitable; ask your teacher.
Your Score
0 - 3 : Keep working at it
4 - 7 : Good but could be better
8 - 11 : Well done!
This multiple-choice quiz is designed to test your knowledge of how to write scripts and stories.
NOTE FOR TEACHERS
The online test gives you the answers at the end of every question. If you are using the quiz worksheet, the answers can be found here:
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