This project was originally created to collect stories for SRL's digital special, "Our New Normal," in January 2022 exploring how young people are reimagining their educational experience, what they want to see changed, and how they are seeking stability during and after the coronavirus pandemic.
For example, how does news and current events influence what you’re taught in school? How do students wish their educational experience was different? How is your school spending federal funds to implement COVID safety plans? How are certain rules impacting students differently and why? What does student representation look like?
Go HERE to complete the assignment.
If you plan on having a classroom discussion before assigning this challenge, use this Classroom Conversations Guide to help students feel prepared and supported.
A subject or problem that people are thinking and talking about
Investigating and explaining, in a critical and clear-eyed way, how people try to solve widely shared problems. Solutions journalism focuses on responses to problems.
In news, it’s a story’s point or theme. It's the lens through which the producer or writer filters the information they have gathered and focuses it to make it meaningful to viewers or readers.
A conversation between two or more people where the purpose is to gather information and facts. The interviewer asks questions and the interviewee provides information based on their knowledge about a specific topic or issue.
An account of past or current events. In journalism, stories are presented with a combination of people, facts, and typically includes a beginning, middle and end.
A person or other physical being in a narrative. Stories are made up of different characters who provide information and help shape the narrative with their knowledge, experience and perspective.
A description of what your story might be and WHY it’s important. An outline of your story idea and the steps to achieve your goal. A summary of what you hope to accomplish in your story
A document with transcribed (written-out) soundbites and voiceover narration. A VIDEO script is a two-column document with the audio (soundbites and voice over) in the right-hand column and a description of what the audience sees (visuals) in the left-hand column.
Narration and/or voiceover (VO) with a host, commentary, research, personal experiences, explanations, infographics, nats (natural sound), music, entertainment.
A short extract or clip from a recorded interview, chosen for its relevance to the story, pungency or appropriateness.
The primary video and audio that drives your story from beginning to end.
An investigation into and study of sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
A word-for-word document of what was said in a conversation or interview
The supplemental footage used to visually support your A-ROLL.
Search: broll.
Explain points of agreement and disagreement experts have about interpretations and applications of disciplinary concepts and ideas associated with a supporting question and explain how supporting questions contribute to an inquiry and how, through engaging source work, new compelling and supporting questions emerge. (NCSS D1.3.9-12 - D1.4.9-12)
Whether students are constructing opinions, explanation, or arguments, they will gather information from a variety of sources and evaluate the relevance of that information. (NCSS D3.1.9-12 - D3.2.9-12)
Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals. (ISTE)
Historical understanding requires recognizing this multiplicity of points of view in the past, which makes it important to seek out a range of sources on any historical question rather than simply use those that are easiest to find. It also requires recognizing that perspectives change over time, so that historical understanding requires developing a sense of empathy with people in the past whose perspectives might be very different from those of today. (NCSS D2.His.4.9-12 - D2.His.8.9-12)
Journalism
Video Production
Civics
Education
Digital Literacy/Citizenship
History
Active Prompts
Intermediate
Advanced
Mic
Camera or Mobile Phone
Computers
Internet
Notebook
Light Kit
Online Worksheet
4-6 Weeks
After you decide which format you want to pursue, choose your path below and follow instructions.
We suggest creating a folder and keeping all documents related to your story in one place.
Estimated time to complete step: One day to one week
Associated SRL Lessons:
If you don’t have a compelling story in mind, write down all the possible education stories to help identify your character.
Themes to consider:
Estimated time to complete step: A couple days to one week
Associated SRL Lessons:
Your main character can be a classmate, teacher, artist, athlete, counselor, principal, coach, janitor, etc. Who is willing to tell their story? Do research and fill out the SRL Pitch Sheet. Chat with potential interview subjects to confirm that they are willing and able to participate. Take good notes. If you contact someone and they don’t seem like the best fit, ask them to give you suggestions about who else to reach out to.
You can weave together several characters that have different points of view about the same topic.
Questions to think about:
Estimated time to complete step: One to three days
Associated SRL Lessons:
Avoid yes or no questions. Start questions with: Tell me; Describe; Explain; Identify; Help me understand. Have an idea of what you want to hear, but let the conversation flow. Make sure to schedule your interviews.
Estimated time to complete step: A few days to one week
Use Level Up tutorials for ideas about how to set up your camera, frame your shots, find strong lighting and capture good audio. B-ROLL, LIGHTING, Principles Of Photography (Teachers - assign these worksheets to help build skills.) Think about the concept of b-roll sequencing and practice shooting good b-roll.
Associated Resources:
How to Conduct Virtual Interviews
The Art of the Remote Interview Webinar
ON CAMERA IDENTIFICATION: For the record, please say and spell your full name (first and last) on camera. Also please describe how you want to be identified in this video. For example, “I’m an 11th grade student at Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, California” NOTE: SRL’S EDITORS NEED THIS INFORMATION AND WON’T BE ABLE TO PUBLISH YOUR VIDEO WITHOUT IT
**MUST DO: Ask subjects under 18 years old to sign this release form.**
Besides your characters talking, what can you or your character film to bring the story to life? Write down the shots you want to gather using this organizer.
Estimated time to complete step: One day
You can do this by hand or use a site that creates a word file of your video like otter.ai. Make sure to GO BACK and listen to fix spelling errors and become more familiar with the material you captured.
Estimated time to complete step: One day
Estimated time to complete step: One to three days
Associated SRL Lessons:
REVIEW:
Your script should include a beginning, middle and end before you start editing. Take a look at this script lesson for inspiration.
Estimated time to complete step: One to three days
Consider whether your story needs voiceover (VO). A voiceover is the connective tissue that holds the parts of your story together. You can also use it to include information that was missing from what your characters said.
Listen to student reporter Mason Baum’s voiceover in this piece on the NewsHour.
Estimated time to complete step: One week
Use the highlighted soundbites to create a video montage on your timeline. If it’s your first time editing, use the SRL Editing Webinar to help you organize your footage, create a project, import, and export your final video.
Estimated time to complete step: Three days to one week
Estimated time to complete step: One day to one week
Remember, an explainer is done with a host who is explaining an issue to camera for an audience. Make sure you feel comfortable with this idea as the host of your video.
If you’re working in groups, make sure to identify the host as early as possible. Explainers often include experts and other interview subjects to provide additional information and expertise. Chat with potential interview subjects to confirm that they are willing and able to participate. Take good notes. If you contact someone and they don’t seem like the best fit, ask them to give you suggestions about who else to reach out to.
Estimated time to complete step: One day to one week
Your script should include a beginning, middle and end before you start editing. You will need to write a complete script before you can record. At this point, you should also schedule interviews with any experts and think about where you want to place them in the story. Think about the b-roll you want to include and determine if graphics or animations will be necessary.
Estimated time to complete step: A couple days to one week
Remember, explainers are fun and conversational. Does the script fit your voice?
Estimated time to complete step: A few days
Find a good teleprompter tool and set up your camera in a space that fits the topic of your video. This is the fun part, but also it take a lot of time! Record as many takes as you need.
Estimated time to complete step: Three days to one week
This challenge does not have an active deadline to submit to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. However, students are encouraged to publish their stories on their school/club/program website or through video/social platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or Twitter and tag Student Reporting Labs. Check with your teacher to find out instructions for class submissions.
FACEBOOK: /STUDENTREPORTINGLABS