Keeping An Eye On The Storm A project-based study of hurricanes and photojournalism. Copyright 2011 New Dimension Media

Keeping An Eye On The StormA project-based study of hurricanes and photojournalism.

Copyright 2011 New Dimension Media

Teacher Notes:

Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism that uses images in order to tell a news story. In the context of this lesson, photojournalism refers not only to the use of still images, but also includes the use of video.

Projects must reflect quality standards including:

•Timeliness — the images have meaning in the context of a recently published record of events versus breaking current events.•Objectivity — the situation implied by the images is a fair and accurate representation of the events they depict in both content and tone.•Narrative — the images combine with other news elements to make facts relatable to the viewer or reader on a cultural level.

Projects must not expose students to imminent danger or risk. Please note the standard of timeliness is defined as a recently PUBLISHED record of events.

Create three cooperative groups for completing this lesson. Each group is to design a photo journal answering one of the three essential questions shown on the next slide. Each photo journal must meet the quality standards shown above for full credit. At the end of this lesson, provide student groups with time to present their photo journals to the entire class.

Assessment is a key component of learning. At the end of this lesson, ask individual students to choose one essential question to answer, excluding the question they responded to in their photo journal group.


Enduring Understandings:Weather can have an incredible influence on our daily lives.

It affects the growth of crops and the availability of water.

It dictates which regions of the world are habitable or uninhabitable.

It has a direct impact on our recreational and economic activities, and can pose a serious threat to our health and safety.

It can even cause us to experience physical and mental changes. (Source www.ec.gc.ca)

Essential Questions:1. What have we learned about hurricanes over time that can help us reduce the

devastating impact hurricanes can have?

2. What steps are important to take in the event of an approaching hurricane?

3. How can we inform and educate others about the dangers and risks involved with hurricane events?


Consider this information:

Hurricanes are mind-boggling in their size and strength. Modern technology lets us see how big hurricanes are and track them through satellite imagery, while storm-penetrating aircraft measure their strength, in terms of wind speeds and atmospheric pressure. This technology gives us detailed warnings that people never had a century ago.

Now think about color scheme, photos and messaging that would bring this information to the conscious level and inspire people to want to learn more about how to be well-prepared for the next hurricane season.

Photojournalism takes into account both visual design and information. The purpose of photojournalism is to drive people to action whether it is to warn communities about impending severe weather or to become actively involved in coming to the aid of disaster victims.

Let's use this example to test our knowledge of applying principles of photojournalism. The next two slides show two different approaches to telling the story about hurricanes and today's weather technology.

Which do you think is better? Why?Copyright 2011 New Dimension Media




Click Here to go to

The Nat’lHurricane

Center

Click Here to learn about

DopplerRadar


http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml

http://216.55.87.74/NDM/playChapterFromExternal.action?programID=52813&startTime=00:09:54&endTime=00:19:58&guid=11694762


Analysis of the photojournalist techniques identifies that one image was used, and this image may resonate with people who have visited tropical regions. For individuals who have not experienced a tropical environment, this image would be one that is familiar because of the typical media coverage of hurricanes. However, the messaging below the image talks about the size of hurricanes, the technology we have to measure hurricanes and the fact that we are better prepared to warn people than ever before.



Click Here to go to

The Nat’lHurricane

Center

Click Here to learn about

DopplerRadar

Analysis of this photo treatment reveals four images were used to convey the same messaging. One visual is of a satellite image, another of a specialized aircraft and two icons that invite learners to interact with even more information including a motion media program.


http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml

http://216.55.87.74/NDM/playChapterFromExternal.action?programID=52813&startTime=00:09:54&endTime=00:19:58&guid=11694762

Now that you have a better understanding of what photojournalism is all about, it is your turn to become photojournalists. The topic is hurricanes. Let's review the Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions related to this topic of study.

Weather can have an incredible influence on our daily lives.

It affects the growth of crops and the availability of water.

It dictates which regions of the world are habitable or uninhabitable.

It has a direct impact on our recreational and economic activities, and can pose a serious threat to our health and safety.

It can even cause us to experience physical and mental changes. (Source www.ec.gc.ca)

1. What have we learned about hurricanes over time that can help us reduce the devastating impact hurricanes can have?

2. What steps are important to take in the event of an approaching hurricane?

3. How can we inform and educate others about the dangers and risks involved with hurricane events?


Group One:

What have we learned about hurricanes over time that can help us reduce the devastating impact hurricanes can have?

Roles you might consider:

Researchers - "Over time" indicates that you need to study actual hurricane events that have happened. Make this research factual. Let the narrative writers take your factual information and create text that is objective, engaging and makes people think about ways everyone can improve the management of devastating hurricanes.

Narrative Writers - Your task is to become "marketing" experts through focused and short narrative comments. The visual is what takes priority in photojournalism, but the narrative is critical in helping drive home the "call to action" that the picture is attempting to convey. Messaging is very important in photojournalism.

Photo Editors - Whether you decide to use stills or videos, consider using a variety of different images as you work with the narrative writers and researchers to find the perfect shot or video segment. Professional photographers and video journalists take many pictures and lots of footage in order to find just the right shot to pair with narrative text.

Important Note: In the world of photojournalism, these roles are occurring simultaneously and teams work together to publish the incredible story with a picture that makes the event memorable for a lifetime. The skills of brainstorming and teamwork are essential for projects to be compelling.


Group Two:

What steps are important to take in the event of an approaching hurricane?


Researchers - "Important steps" indicates that you need to study different approaches to prepare for hurricanes. Make this research factual. Let the narrative writers take your factual information and create text that is objective, engaging and makes people think about ways everyone can improve the management of devastating hurricanes.





Group Three:

How can we inform and educate others about the dangers and risks involved with hurricane events?


Researchers - "Inform and educate" indicates that you need to identify key concepts that individuals need to learn about in order to lessen the danger and risks associated with hurricane events. Make this research factual. Let the narrative writers take your factual information and create text that is objective, engaging and makes people think about ways everyone can improve the management of devastating hurricanes.





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Keeping An Eye On The Storm A project-based study of hurricanes and photojournalism. Copyright 2011 New Dimension Media