Mass Media Studies Unit: Nine Lesson Plans & Prezis

Mass Media Studies Unit: Nine Lesson Plans and Prezis for eight media – books, newspapers, magazines, radio, sound recording, television, movies and the Internet – and an introductory topic that gives students a historical context on how the media developed. The historical topic can be downloaded free at my store if you wish to preview this material. Each topic contains a timeline, in-class discussion questions and activities, videoclips, additional “if-time” materials, and an optional written assignment.

The lesson plan does not rely on any specific textbook, but looks at key moments in the history each medium, the economics, and the challenges at various times, including today. The topics are appropriate for a unit in a journalism, technology, or history class. Although a textbook is not necessary to use the lesson plan material, some portions of each lesson plan are taken from “The Dynamics of Mass Communication” by Joseph R. Dominick and “Converging Media” by John V. Pavlik and Shawn McIntosh. These textbooks are credited whenever they are used at length.

The lesson plans are color-coded with videos, group activities, and important examples in blue, and questions for class discussion in orange. (This helps to make sure the class is broken up well.) Additional “if-time” material is provided at the end that can be added into the class if desired, and suggestions are provided about where they might be best added. A written assignment is also provided that can be assigned before the class (recommended) or afterward.

The Prezi includes videos, pictures and illustrations most often taken from YouTube, SimpsonsWorld.com or public universities and museums in accordance with fair use laws. (Note: because Prezi links to pictures and videos online, they may be removed at any time by the source who originally posted them and it will leave a blank space in the slide…there is no way to have any control over that but I have provided a description in the lesson plan to help you to replace the item should that happen.) The Prezi movements are meant to be straightforward rather than dizzying, and the colors are kept simple. Questions and activities are marked to stand out. Instructions for using the videos (some of which cannot be embedded) are included in the lesson plan.

Lesson plans are also available in my store individually but the package offers a significantly reduced price equivalent to getting two free, and offers the ability to edit the historical context Prezi, which is not available on the free download.

A “Read First” document in the folder contains detailed instructions and suggestions. Directions for accessing and using the Prezi or for getting a copy of the Prezi that can be edited are available in each lesson plan document upon purchase.