The Newspaper as a Learning Tool -- Education Teaching

Newspapers have a long history of being regarded as a useful educational tool, and their use in a classroom setting dates back further than most might expect. Take, for instance, this quotation: "Much has been said and written on the utility of newspapers; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publication has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools, and by the children in families?newspapers are plenty and cheap ? the cheapest book that can be bought, and the more you buy the better for your children, because every part furnishes some new and valuable information! (Cowen 1)" Although this statement reads like an educator or newspaper publisher of today might have said it, it comes from an article printed in the EasternHerald, June 8, 1795, in the state of Massachusetts. Exemplifying the fact that newspapers have long been viewed as informational tools, this statement also speaks to the tenure of newspapers as an institution. Actual recorded uses of newspapers in the classroom are dated in the 1890s, and in 1911, "The Volume Library" gave great attention to the value of teaching with newspapers. There are many events throughout the twentieth century that also helped develop the prevalent use of newspapers we see in classrooms today. The outbreak of World War II lead to a greater number of students reading the newspaper, both for informational and instructional purposes. In 1929, Richard S. Kimball published a book titled Current Events Instruction. This book was widely accepted by educators of the time, and because it contained suggestions for incorporating current events in the classroom, also became used extensively. Part of Kimball?s instruction for students becoming strong citize... ...A Manual for Teachers and Newspapermen on the Use of Newspapers in the Classroom. New York: American Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation, 1967. Brody, Jeffrey H. and Robert G. Picard. The Newspaper Publishing Industry. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1997. Cowen, Marlene Stone. "History of the Newspaper in Education Program." American Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. ERIC Digest, Washington DC. 1978. DeRoche, Edward F. The Newspaper: A Reference Book for Teachers and Librarians. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO Inc., 1991. Newspapers In Education. Partnerships in Education, The Buffalo News. 13 Nov. 1998. . Shipley, Barbara. "Integrating Mass Media Instruction: ?Connecting? NIE and TV Programs for the 21st Century." Annual Conference on Newspapers in Education and Literacy. ERIC Digest, Florida. 15-17 May 1991.