Lesson Plan

Printable Version (PDF)

Title

The Influence of Media on Decision Making: Exploring Ideas of Bias in Media with a Committee of the Legislative Assembly

Audience

Social Studies 11

Required Background

• Legislative Assembly of British Columbia brochures:
  How a Bill Becomes a Law, Parliamentary Committees and The Role of Government and Opposition
• Committees of the Legislative Assembly
• An understanding of the role of special interest groups

Objective

Students will:

• develop and express appropriate responses to issues or problems;
• assess the influence of mass media on public opinion;
• develop, express, and defend a position on an issue, and;
• demonstrate the ability to think critically, including the ability to define an issue or problem and develop a hypothesis and supporting argument.

Activities and Method

• Identify Issue: student or teacher initiated.
  For Example:
     Student/school: school uniforms, dress code, vending machines
     Community: skateboards, curfew, recycling
     Provincial: raising driving age, environmental issues.
• Assign roles and provide role cards to each group. (Appendix 1).
• Break into role groups and develop position statements. (Appendix 2).
• Legislative Select Standing or Special Committee of MLAs meet to hear presentations of citizen groups which provides an opportunity for discussion/debate/persuasion.
• Press will listen to the debate from within each group to develop a “News Flash.”
• News Flash:
  At 5 minute intervals (called by teacher), one member of press will provide “Newsbreak.”
  MLAs and citizens will respond to News Flash (Appendix 3).
• Select Standing or Special Committee of MLAs vote on the issue.
• Class Debriefs:
  Begin by completing reflection in Appendix 2 for MLAs and Citizen Groups.
  Discuss student experience in simulation.
  Assess influence of mass media on MLAs and Citizen Groups.

Materials and Resources

Websites:
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner: www.oipc.bc.ca
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia: www.leg.bc.ca
Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner: www.coibc.ca
B.C. Youth Parliament: www.bcyp.org
House of Commons: www.parl.gc.ca
National Library of Canada: www.nlc-bnc.ca
Quick Facts about B.C.: www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/bcfacts.asp

Publications:
The Canadian Encyclopedia
The News Media and Parliament: The Role of the Fourth Estate Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Vaive, Robert. Parliament and the Press Gallery Canadian Parliamentary Review, Autumn 1995

Terminology:
bill
committee
report
opposition
show-of-hands vote
Member of Legislative Assembly
free vote

Role cards:
Copied for participants from following pages

Evaluation of Activity

1 . MLA and Citizens’ Groups Members:

Complete worksheet provided in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3.

Appendix 2: Position is clearly stated and student offers reasonable, plausible reasons for the position. Reflection is thoughtful and defended.

Appendix 3: Worksheet is completed fully and includes reasonable comments.

Use table for each News Flash.

2. The Press:

The News Flash reflects the reporter’s role. It is a biased summary of the discussion reflecting the reporter’s role. The reporter is convincing and dramatic.

Use table for each New Flash.

3. Class:

Write a paragraph (100 - 150 words) evaluating whether or not the media has an influencing effect on decision-making. Position is clearly stated. Paragraph includes 2-3 examples from the class supporting the position.

4. Observation:

Students will be evaluated on their ability to work in role for this simulation.

(Tables are adapted from Critical Challenges in Social Studies by John Harrison, Neil Smith and Ian Wright)

Submitted By

Wendy de Candole, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Victoria
Maria Paccagnella, School District #73 (Kamloops-Thompson)
Phillip Pitre, School District #52 ( Prince Rupert)
Carla Salituro, School District #73 (Kamloops-Thompson
Garry Taylor, School District #33 ( Chilliwack)

NOTE: The ideas and opinions expressed in this classroom activity belong to their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The Public Education and Outreach office only edits for clarity.

Appendix – Handouts

Printable Version of Appendix 1 (PDF)

Appendix 1 – Role Cards

Printable Version of Appendix 2 (PDF)

Appendix 2 - Developing a Position and Argument of Support

Printable Version of Appendix 3 (PDF)

Appendix 3 - News Flash

At 5-minute intervals, the teacher will assign a reporter to give a brief (1-2 minute) report on his/her observations of the work being done in Committee.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Observe/listen attentively to the discussions within the Committee
2. Report on your observations remembering to utilize your assigned position to persuade the audience towards your position.

News Flash Responses (Print many News Flash Responses for distribution)