Mass Media in the UK WebQuest

Welcome: Mass Media in the UK WebQuest
Description: Mass Media in the UK WebQuestIntroductionThis webquest is devoted to Mass Media in the UK. The media in the United Kingdom consist of several different types of communications media: television, radio, newspapers, magazines,and Internet-based Web sites. In this course you will be able to learn about the leading TV channels, newspapers, radio station and so on.TaskWhat types of Mass media are in the United Kingdom? To answer this question you will need to work in small groups and complete tasks and assignments designed by your instructor.ProcessFor the seminar on Mass media in the UK the whole class will be divided into several groups. Each group will get one aspect of the UK Mass Media. Your task will include the following:A. PRE-CLASS PREPARATION:- study Web-based materials using links suggested;- do additional Internet search for information on the target issue, if necessery;- answer the questions;- (equally) divide the material between all team members for presentation in class for the members of other groups;- prepare your presentations (reports).B. IN-CLASS ACTIVITY:- report to the whole class what you have learned on the topic for your group activity.Phase 1 - Background InformationFor this seminar I decided to break the mass media of the United Kingdom into four parts. Each group will need to study only one part and inform the whole class about its major featuers and subjects.Phase 2 - RolesYou will be working in teams. It will be up to you to divide roles in each team. For efficiency, there should be a team leader, who will organize the work and divide the issues within each topic to make sure everything is covered and there is no overlap. However, all team members are responsible for presenting information in class, regardless their role in pre-class preparation process.Group 1: Television in the United Kingdom:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_in_the_United_Kingdomhttp://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/englishbroa/englishbroa.htmhttp://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Factsheets/factvchip.htmlQUESTIONS:1. What are three major networks in the United Kingdom?2. What is the role of public television in the United Kingdom?3. What is ВВC?4. How was the development of the English television influenced by BBC?Group 2: Radio in the United Kingdom:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_in_the_United_Kingdomhttp://www.psu.edu/dept/inart10_110/inart10/radio.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_broadcasting_in_the_UKQUESTIONS:1. How many national radio networks did the United Kingdom have by 1928?2. What were the four divisions of radio content?3. How can you characterize the modern radio broadcasting companies?4. Who invented the stereo FM radio?Group 3: Newspapers in the United Kingdom:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers_in_the_United_Kingdomhttp://www.theworldpress.com/press/unitedkingdompress.htmhttp://www.uktoday/com/http://www.theguardian/com/QUESTIONS:1. What are the major newspapers in the UK?2. What types of newspapers are in the UK?3. What is the aim of local newspapers?4. What is the primary source of newspaper revenue?5. What makes The Times one of the largest newspapers?6. What makes The Guardian one of the most popular newspapers in the UK?Group 3: Magazines in the United Kingdom:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Kingdom_magazineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:English_political_magazineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:English_magazinesQUESTIONS:1. What is the United Kingdom magazine industry?2. What are three leading weekly news magazines?3. What English magazines can you name? What is their audience and purpose?Phase 2 - Reaching ConsensusThe most difficult problem is to decide whether the mass media effects badly or not on young generation. The question of ranking the mass media as one of the source of getting knowledge is one of them.Work in your groups. Discuss the following questions and be ready to participate in the whole class discussion. How does the mass media in the UK effect children and the way they perceive reality? Why is it disputed?Can the mass media give knowledge? Give your examples.Can you give the examples of negative influence of the mass media in the UK?You may need to do independent Internet search, if necessary.ConclusionNow that you have learned about the mass media of the UK, what seemed the most interesting for you? What topic would you choose for additional in-depth study for a course paper in English Country Studies? Why?
Grade Level: College / Adult
Curriculum: Foreign Language
Keywords: United Kingdom, Mass Media, Web sites,TV channels, communications media,radio networks,broadcasting companies, primary source, newspaper revenue, weekly news magazines
Author(s): Elizabeth Sychugova