FAQs

Technology FAQs

What browser should I use to view this site?
This site is best viewed using Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, with a minimum screen resolution of 800x600.

Why can't I watch the video?
The videos can be viewed in QuickTime, and you may not have a plugin. If you don't, you can download one (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/). If you have a plugin but the video is still not viewable, your computer may be blocking the window from being shown for security reasons. In that case, you will need to change your security settings to allow for the blocked content.

A link is dead. What should I do?
Even with periodic updating, it is easy for web pages to develop "link rot". If a link you need is missing, there is a list of recommended resources on the Links page. Other resources may be available at one of those sites. Alternatively, you may try completing an advanced search to find similar or related materials.

Content FAQs

How do I find the page I want?
The fastest way to get to any page on the site is through the site map. You can also click on the name of the module you want to find the student version of any page. To find out more about site navigation or finding an lesson for a particular objective, see the For Teachers page. Teacher support material is available using the site map.

Who is the intended audience of this site?
Teachers and students in typical secondary English classrooms are the intended audience.

Can I teach this as a course the way it is written?
The lessons and modules are a good starting point for a course in Journalism Studies. However, they represent too many hours of content for one course. In addition, many of the lessons are built to be used in partial isolation and do not adequately scaffold skills and assessment without modification. These lessons are a resource to support a course, not the course itself. See the Units page for additional information.

Why is there no final exam?
There are two major final projects instead of an exam. My Way is a reflective project that students add to and revise throughout the year. The final module, On Assignment, requires students to apply their learning from the entire course through an experiential process. Since all of the key concepts and skills are graded through the projects, a final exam would be redundant. If you choose to use the materials from this site but would like to use a final, you may choose to eliminate My Way and scale back Module Three - On Assignment.

I would want to use a video from a specific lesson, but now I can't find it again. Where is it?
All of the additional resources like audio clips, videos, and print material from other sources are found on the Support Materials page. Sample versions of a number of types of evaluation are found there also.

Why are there so few objectives listed for My Way?
My Way meets many of the curricular objectives, but it does so differently depending on many student choices. The objectives that the project will have to meet are listed, but other objectives will vary. Like a final exam, My Way tests student skills and understandings across a wide variety of areas, but because it is so flexible, it is difficult to predict what they will be for each student.

Why does the site have a selective glossary?
Lessons often require students to build their own meaning for journalistic terms through concept attainment and context. For this reason, only certain terms are highlighted in the glossary.