Five Live has a new format called ‘In Short’ where they include short clips of topical interviews, statements and debates that can be found on BBC iPLAYER. If you need some inspiration, and want something topical, look here for ideas that you could use to inform students to write a knowledgeable speech, or for teaching writing to argue.
I have included a series of the most topical issues as example for you.
Podcast – Convicted Twitter troll: ‘I’m not a bully‘- Duration: 02:34
Twitter troll Isabella Sorley was given a 12 week prison sentence for sending abuse to feminist Caroline Criado-Perez who was campaigning to have author Jane Austen appear on Bank of England banknotes.
Ms Sorley says she was “incredibly drunk” when she sent the abusive messages and describes her actions as “cowardly”.
This clip is originally from Breakfast Monday 20th October 2014.
Should internet trolls be punished with prison?
Female games developer: death threats forced me out of my home – Duration: 03:23
GamerGate is a movement which believes the relationship between some game developers and journalists is too close, leading to poor game reviews.
But the movement has been associated with misogyny after some women working in the industry say it’s lead to them being abused online. Brianna Wu, who created the game Revolution 60, has been forced to leave her home after receiving death and rape threats. GamerGate campaigners say the harassment has been carried out by fringe elements of the movement and is distracting attention from their aim to highlight poor standards of gaming journalism.
This clip is originally from Breakfast Thursday 16th October 2014.
Can sexism in gaming be stopped?
Ched Evans return ‘would bring shame on football‘ Duration: 00:25
Jill Saward, a rape victim, says a return for Ched Evans, who has served his sentence for rape, ‘would bring shame on football’.
This clip is originally from Sportsweek 19 October 20
Pat Nevin ‘conflicted’ over Ched Evans return
Duration: 01:41
Former PFA chairman and Chelsea winger Pat Nevin gives his view on whether convicted rapist Ched Evans should return to football. Evans, who played for Sheffield United before his conviction, was released from prison after serving half of a five year sentence.
This clip is originally from 5 live Sport on 17th October 2014.
Should Ched Evans be allowed to play professional football?
Why has sending naked photos become normal for young people? – Duration: 03:47
Research by the anti-bullying charity Ditch The Label suggests that almost 40% of young people have shared a naked photo of themselves on a smart phone and a quarter of those have had the image shared without their consent. ‘Katy’, not her real name, is one of those victims. She started a relationship over social media when she was 17. Initially Katy responded to requests for naked photos but later refused “he started to get really aggressive with me, threatened to post my pictures onto the internet if I didn’t comply with him…. I got really scared actually” Sending a naked photo has become an expected part of courtship for young people, Katy says “if a guy asks you to send a photo and you don’t, you get a little bit scared he might find someone else to talk to”.
This clip is originally from 5 live Breakfast Wednesday 15th October 2014.
Available since: Last Wednesday
A key role as a teacher is to teach our students about life, and this includes some of the negative aspects of society. Teaching current affairs in an engaging way that students can relate to is essential. Take a quick look at the ‘In Short’ section and you can make your lessons in English and PSHE up to date, relevant and accessible. The straightforward format of the podcast brings topics to life, and adds an extra dimension to teaching current affairs to students.