Lesson 8 - Public Policies

Lesson Goals:

By the end of this lesson, students can:

Identify common methods used in representing data and reporting of statistical information in media to support a particular agenda
Describe the efficacy of implementing policies drawn from popular media reports.
Assess the role of statistics and probabilities in calculating insurance premiums and census data.

Content:

Investigate reports of studies in digital media and elsewhere for information on their planning and implementation (ACMSP277)

Critically review surveys, polls and media reports
investigate the use of statistics and associated probabilities in shaping decisions made by governments and companies, e.g. the setting of insurance premiums, the use of demographic data to determine where and when various facilities may be built

Working Mathematically:

Identify, describe and evaluate issues such as the misrepresentation of data, apparent bias in reporting, sampling techniques used, and the wording of questions used to collect data (Communicating, Problem Solving, Reasoning)
Discuss issues to be considered in the implementation of policies that result from studies reported in the media or elsewhere (Communicating, Problem Solving)
Use Australian census data to identify issues for the local area or state and suggest implications for future planning in the local area or state (Problem Solving, Reasoning)

Class Activities:

Pause, think and predict (LIT)

Teacher defines bias in reporting as the "selective revealing or suppression of information". Teacher reads a passage containing selective omissions and emphasis on isolated perspectives. Teacher pauses intermittently and prompts students to ask questions and offer comments upon the nature of the statistics and figures included.

Case Study - Role of media (ICT)

Students are given a topic area frequently reported upon in popular media such as education, health, politics, crime, etc. Students are to research the recent policy changes in these areas and analyse the role of media in reporting of these policy changes. Students are to assess the role of media in exposing the implementation of policy change and its capacity to support both the public and government in achieving effective public policies.

Investigation Activity (ICT)

Students investigate demographic information of certain areas of Sydney as well as their corresponding insurance premiums provided by different insurance providers. Students create a pictorial representation of this data, commenting on the influence of demographics on insurance premiums.

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