Principles for engaging learners in the construction of school newspapers

Abstract

It is imperative that learners leave school with a certain set of core skills, none as important as communication and technology literacy, a key driver for future workplace employment. The critical question is how to motivate pupils to participate in an interesting, challenging and creative project to improve essential communication techniques and capabilities? The rationale of the study is to enable future editors of school newspapers to create a similar environment in which the learners that are members of the editorial team will be involved in the construction of a school newspaper. The rationale of the study relating to the learners, who are part of the editorial team, is to develop 21st Century Skills and therefore enable them to overcome complicated demands that they are exposed to in the Knowledge Age. This dissertation presents a real-life, initiative to encourage active participation in the construction of a school newspaper that will develop learners’ skills and confidence and improve their oral, written and multi-media communication. The findings of this dissertation aim to prove that the group production of a school newspaper can enhance learners’ ability to participate and communicate in a group environment and equip them with essential 21st Century skills.