News

by

BTN- Behind the News

Subject:  Digital technology

Year Level: 4-7

Strand: Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Sub-strand:  Implement simple digital solutions as visual programs with algorithms involving branching (decisions) and user input (ACTDIP011)

Implement digital solutions as simple visual programs involving branching, iteration (repetition), and user input (ACTDIP020)

Link to the resource: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/

Cross curricular priorities and general capabilities: 

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
  • Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
  • Sustainability
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and communication technology (ICT)
  • Personal and social capability
  • Ethical understanding
  • Inter-cultural understanding

Links to learning areas: English, Humanities, Society.

A classroom activity using this resource:

This resource is great for getting students to find out what is happening all around the world; there is a weekly news video posted pitched to the younger generation. This helps open students minds to the world around them, making them think and become aware of worldwide issues. Students can watch BTN as a whole class or individually, then answer and discuss the topics being raised.

BTN is on a variety of social media sites and therefore students can use these to discuss topics with others and find out further information. The website holds weekly polls where the results are shown in the next weeks addition, this gets students voicing their opinion safely on-line, as well as seeing the perspectives of others around the world. There is a weekly live Q&A session which students can also participate in, this would involve students searching the website and opening other links from the site in order to further their knowledge. If there is a particular topic students are interested in they can then do some research on-line and then share this information with the rest of the class.

This is an amazing resource to get students voicing their opinions in a variety of ways, and to gain interest in the news and the world around them.

How to use this resource:

  • Go the the website http://www.abc.net.au/btn/
  • Follow the links provided on the page
  • Explore and interact with a variety of interesting and engaging activities