WebQuest: Advertising in SchoolsMs. Stern Bronx School of Law and Finance

 

 

Introduction:

 

Text Box: After summer vacation you come back to school to find televisions in every room.  Great!  Maybe you’ll watch videos everyday and won’t ever have to hear Ms. Stern say another word! 

Text Box:

At the sound of the late bell, the televisions automatically turns on but instead of a video, commercials start to play for candy, music and other things you love!  After about two minutes of commercials, you watch a short newscast on current events. 

 

Text Box: The television goes off and Ms. Stern explains that you will start each school day by watching the newscast.  You could really care less.  After all, who would complain about watching T.V. in school? 

 

Text Box: However, when you see you best friend second period she is outraged, “How can they do this to us! They are forcing us to watch advertisements in school!  Schools are for learning, not for indoctrination by evil corporations! In the time we spend watching advertisements we could have been studying for our Regents exams!”

 

Your friend can be a little dramatic at times but does she have a point?  She convinces you to investigate the situation. 

 

Task:

As a group, you are going to study the issue of advertising in schools and take a position either for or against it.  You will present your opinion in a letter to the principal of your school.

 

Process:

1)      Gather information about advertisements in schools.  Be sure to keep a log of the sites you visit!

a.       Some websites and articles you might explore include:

                                                               i.      Expel Channel One from Our Schools!

                                                             ii.      School District to Vote on Giving Naming Rights to Highest Bidder

                                                            iii.      Commercial Alert

                                                           iv.      National Institute on Media and the Family: Advertising in Schools

                                                             v.      PBS NewsHour: Ads in Schools

                                                           vi.      Citizens Campaign for Commericial-Free Schools

 

b.      Some search engines you might use include:

                                                               i.      Google

                                                             ii.      Yahoo!

                                                            iii.      Mamma

                                                           iv.      Dogpile

                                                             v.      Ask Jeeves

 

2)      Create a pro/con chart and organize information for and against organization in schools.

3)      Come to a consensus within your group on whether you do or do not support advertising in schools.

4)      Draft a letter to your principal explaining your group’s position.

 

 

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Points

 

Group Work

Helped to lead the group and tried to make sure that every group member was equally involved in the assignment.  Helped the group maintain focus.

Contributed greatly to the assignment but did try to make sure that every group member was equally involved.

Contributed to the group but lacked enthusiasm or effort.  At times, may have distracted the group.

 

Did not contribute to the group or exhibited behavior that made it difficult for the group to work together.

 

 

 

Research

At least five websites with varying positions were reviewed.  At minimum two of the websites were original sources obtained through a search engine.  

At least four websites with varying positions were reviewed.  One of the websites was an original source obtained through a search engine.  

At least three websites were reviewed. 

No more than two websites were reviewed.  

 

 

Chart

Chart has a minimum of four points per side of the chart (pro and con).

Chart has a minimum of three points per side of the chart (pro and con).

Chart has a minimum of two points per side of the chart (pro and con).

Chart has no more than one point per side of the chart (pro and con).

 

 

Letter

Contains all elements of a professional letter, clearly takes a position and supports it with at least three points.

Contains most elements of a professional letter, clearly takes a position and supports it with at least two points.

Clearly takes a position and supports it with at least two points.

Takes a position and supports it with at least two points.

 

 

 

Text Box: Standards

 

New York State Social Studies Standard #5: 

 

Students can take, defend and evaluate positions about dispositions that facilitate thoughtful and effective participation in public affairs.

Students can understand how citizenship includes the exercising of certain personal responsibilities, including voting, considering the rights and interests of others, behaving in a civil manner, and accepting responsibility for the consequences of one’s actions.

 

English Language Arts Standard #3

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.
As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral and written language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.

Conclusion:  You’ve learned about some of the reasons for and against advertisements in schools and you’ve successfully argued your position.  Congratulations!  The research skills and persuasive talents you’ve demonstrated will serve you well in the future.  If the topics of advertising and marketing interest you, take some time to explore the links below. 

 

Additional Links: