Questions for discussion

9/11 – 10 years on 1. How many years ago did the September 11 attacks happen? 2. Which terrorist group were responsible for the September 11 attacks? 3. In which city was the World Trade Centre? 4. What is the American Defence headquarters also known as? 5. What are some changes that have occurred in Australia as a result of the

September 11 attacks? 6. Which country is Al Qaeda’s base? 7. What happened after the September 11 attacks? 8. How did security change in airports after 9/11? 9. How were followers of the Islamic religion treated after the attacks? 10. How important is it for us to remember what happened? Explain your answer.

Test your knowledge in the online 9/11 quiz. Go to the BtN website and follow the links. Post a message on the Behind the News Guestbook http://abc.net.au/btn/guestbook.html

Dangerous dogs

1. Discuss the main issues of the BtN story with another student. 2. About how many people each year go to hospital because they have been

bitten by a dog? 3. Which animal did dogs evolve from? 4. Any breed of dog is capable of biting someone. True or false? 5. As a result of the recent dog attacks, the Victorian Government is going to

crack down on dangerous dogs. What are the new rules? 6. What do supporters of the new laws say? 7. Some people say it is unfair to single out breeds because… 8. Experts say it’s important to socialise a dog when they are young. Give

examples of what that means. 9. How should people behave around a dog? 10. What do you think should happen to dangerous breeds of dogs?

`Should people be banned from keeping dangerous dogs?’ Vote in the BtN online poll http://www.abc.net.au/btn/.

On the scene

1. Briefly summarise the On the scene story. 2. What is a `live cross’? 3. Why do journalists report on location? 4. What does credible mean?

EPISODE 25

6TH

SEPTEMBER 2011

5. Why do news organisations want to be seen as credible? 6. What point was Nathan making in his examples of live crosses? 7. What did Channel 9 news do recently in two live crosses? 8. Describe what happened when a journalist was reporting live during hurricane

Irene. 9. What do you think makes news credible? 10. Post a message about this story on the BtN Guestbook

http://abc.net.au/btn/guestbook.html

Watch a television news bulletin and take note of any live crosses done in a news story. What did the live cross add to the story? Did it make it more credible? Why or why not?

Old computers

1. What was the main point of the Old computers story? 2. Who is the co-founder of Apple? 3. Describe the early computers. 4. What functions did they perform? 5. What is a floppy disc? 6. How has the memory of a computer changed over time? 7. Complete the following sentence: `Today’s memory sticks can hold more

information than the computers that…’ 8. How have computers changed your life? Give at least two examples. 9. What functions do you think computers will be able to perform in the future?

Make some predictions. 10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BtN story?

How have computers changed the way we work and live? Think of both positive and negative impacts.

Sprint science

1. How has the way people start a sprint changed? 2. What do sprinters use so they can push off with even more force? 3. Phase two is all about the _________________. 4. A sprinter needs to stay low at the start. True or false? 5. In phase three, what should a sprinter do? 6. Usain Bolt’s average step length during a race is

a. 1.44 metres b. 2.44 metres c. 3.44 metres

7. Why do sprinters `dip’ when they reach the line? 8. What type of muscle fibres are sprinters often born with? 9. What do these fibres give sprinters? 10. Why is upper body strength important?

Illustrate an aspect of the Sprint science story.

Dangerous dogs Focus Questions

1. Discuss the main issues of the BtN story with another student. 2. About how many people each year go to hospital because they have been bitten

by a dog? 3. Which animal did dogs evolve from? 4. Any breed of dog is capable of biting someone. True or false? 5. As a result of the recent dog attacks, the Victorian Government is going to crack

down on dangerous dogs. What are the new rules? 6. What do supporters of the new laws say? 7. Some people say it is unfair to single out breeds because… 8. Experts say it’s important to socialise a dog when they are young. Give examples

of what that means. 9. How should people behave around a dog? 10. What do you think should happen to dangerous breeds of dogs?

Dangerous dogs

Watch the BtN story Dangerous dogs. Summarise the story in your own words.

Watch the story again and listen carefully. Circle each of the following words as

you hear them. Record any unfamiliar words.

crackdown dangerous evolved

illegal muzzle destroyed

restricted registered territorial

socialise unpredictable aggressive

Ask students to write what they think is the meaning of each word (including

unfamiliar words). Swap definitions with a partner and ask them to add to or

change the definition. Check these against the dictionary definition. Ask students

to write their own sentences using the key words.

Students may have some key questions to research or could choose one of the following investigations.

Students will research the issue of whether dangerous dogs should be banned.

Encourage students to investigate both sides of the debate before arguing for or

against a ban. Arguments need to include practical and moral/ethical reasons to

EPISODE 25

6TH

SEPTEMBER 2011

Learning Area

Society and Environment

Key learning

Students will investigate issues about the banning of dangerous dogs and what it means to be a responsible dog owner.

support their case. Students can present their argument as a persuasive argument or

hold a mini debate about the issue.

What is meant by `responsible dog ownership’? What does it mean for those people

who own a dog that has been classified as `dangerous’?

Choose a breed of dog and create a profile. Include information about physical and

behavioural characteristics.

Create a community service announcement that educates kids about how to behave

around dogs.

What sort of dog best suits your family? The following website helps to match your family’s needs to the best breed of dog http://selectanowner.goodownersa.com/ Brainstorm the responsibilities of owning a dog. Interview dog owners about the breed of dog they have, why they chose to get a dog, what they like and don’t like about it.

Related Research Links

ABC Behind the News – Dangerous dogs

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2724466.htm

ABC The World Today - Dangerous dogs

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3305464.htm?site=sunshine

Department of Primary Industries – Dangerous dogs

http://www.pets.dpi.vic.gov.au/02/sdd_danger.htm

Delta Dog Safe – Dog safety for kids

http://www.deltadogsafesa.org.au/facts-for-kids.html

Good Dog Good Cat – Understanding how dogs think

http://www.wearefamilysa.com.au/WeAreFamily/UnderstandingourbrnbspnbspD

ogsandCats/Howdodogsthink/tabid/89/Default.aspx

Old computers Focus Questions

1. What was the main point of the Old computers story? 2. Who is the co-founder of Apple? 3. Describe the early computers. 4. What functions did they perform? 5. What is a floppy disc? 6. How has the memory of a computer changed over time? 7. Complete the following sentence:` Today’s memory sticks can hold more

information than the computers that…’ 8. How have computers changed your life? Give at least two examples. 9. What functions do you think computers will be able to perform in the future?

Make some predictions. 10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BtN story?

Old computers

Negotiate with students how many activities they will need to complete from each section. Remember and understand

Choose five key words from the Old computers story and explain what

each means.

Recall as many facts as you can in the BtN Old computers story and write a

true or false quiz.

Create a timeline showing significant events in the evolution of computers.

Apply and Analyse

Think about and respond to the following questions about computers:

Why do people need computers?

What do you think the first one looked like?

How have they changed?

How could computers be improved?

What might they look like in the future?

Present your answers to a small group of students. Invite them to respond

to your answers to get their opinions.

How have computers changed the way we work and live? Think of both

positive and negative impacts.

EPISODE 25

6TH

SEPTEMBER 2011

Learning Area

Design and Technology

Key learning

Students will develop a deeper understanding of the evolution and future of computers.

Respond to the following statement: `Computers will be without problems

in the future.’ Create a persuasive text stating whether you agree or

disagree with the statement.

Evaluate and create

Redesign a computer to make it easier for people to use. Draw a diagram or make a model of your design. Describe why your design is an improvement on a current computer. Who would benefit from the design?

The Old computers story has some interviews with people in 1969 giving their opinions about the future of computers. Conduct your own short interviews with a range of people about what they think is the future of computers. Record the interviews on video or audio and share with other students. What was surprising about the views of people interviewed?

Think of five different jobs or careers related to the computer industry. Select the one you would most like to have and give at least three reasons for your choice.

Related Research Links

ABC Technology and Games – Steve Jobs resigns from Apple

http://www.abc.net.au/technology/articles/2011/08/25/3301756.htm

ABC News – Steve Jobs: A revolutionary nerd

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-25/steve-jobs-timeline/2855158

Australian History – IT Timeline

http://www.australianhistory.org/technology-timeline

Library Thinkquest – Computers: Past, present and future

http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113882/homepage.shtml

BtN: Episode 25 Transcript

06/09/11

On this week's Behind the News.

9/11 ten years on we look at the ways the world has changed since terrorists attacked America.

Tougher rules on dangerous dogs but should we be allowed to keep them at all?

And as an important tech guru retires we look at what computers were like back when your parents were young.

Hi I'm Nathan Bazley, welcome to Behind the News.

Also on the show today we look at the science behind sprinting and find out that there's more to it than just being able to run fast. But before all that the big story this week has been the collapse of the Australian government's deal to send asylum seekers to Malaysia. The High court decided that it was unlawful leaving the Government red faced. Kirsty has the details in the wire.

The Wire

It's back to the drawing board for the Federal Government over what to do with asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat. The government had made a deal with Malaysia to send 800 asylum seekers there in return for 4-thousand approved refugees over the next four years. But that's been blocked by the High Court which ruled that it would be unlawful for Australia to send people to another country where they couldn't guarantee their safety and fair treatment.

The Opposition says the government should introduce new law so that offshore processing can happen.

But all of this looks like it's hurting the PMs reputation. There were reports that her leadership was in doubt.

JULIA GILLARD - PRIME MINISTER

“I will be leading the Labor Party until the next election every day between now and then I will be fighting for Labor values.”

The asylum seekers that were due to be sent to Malaysia will now have their applications heard here.

9/11 Anniversary

Reporter: Nathan Bazley

INTRO: In a few days time the calendar will hit the 11th of September. But the date might not mean much to you unless I say it in a different way 9/11. On this date ten years ago the worst terrorist attack of the modern age took place in America. Let's take a look at the event that changed the world in so many ways.

NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: It was an attack designed to shock the world, an attack designed to create fear, and an attack designed to kill thousands of innocent people.

Ten years ago, on the morning of September 11th, while office workers arrived at work and tourists gathered in New York to see the sights, extremists working for a terrorist group called Al Qaeda hijacked planes and caused this.

The targets were the World Trade Centre buildings in New York and the American Defence headquarters, known as the Pentagon in Virginia. Another plane was also hijacked, before its passengers fought back and caused the plane to crash.

By the end of that horrible day, nearly 3000 people had died at the hands of the hijackers.

While America mourned, the thoughts of their government had already turned to finding those responsible and holding them to account. Their investigations showed that Osama Bin Laden and his terrorist group Al Qaeda was behind the attacks. So America's next move was to target their base in the country of Afghanistan.

Soldiers from America and allied countries including Australia flooded the country as war was declared. But things didn't just change in far-off countries overseas.

Security in America and even Australia changed dramatically after the attacks. You'd be used to seeing scenes like this at an airport; security scanning for dangerous objects.

But before the attacks, American passengers could sometimes take pocket knives on flights and kids could visit the plane's cockpit. Now the doors are locked and bullet-proof. And all the while in Australia, the government was warning us of the possibility of a similar attack happening here, with ads like this.

AD: Be alert, not alarmed.

There were also effects for some religious groups too. The terrorist group Al Qaeda are extremists who follow the Islamic religion. But even though most followers of that religion didn't support the attacks in any way, some were punished by members of the community all the same. Some of their mosques were burnt down or vandalised, and innocent people were hurt or abused in the street.

Ten years on and many of the effects of the September 11 terrorist attacks are still with us. The war is still grinding on in Afghanistan, security is still tight in airports, and sadly, some still have negative feelings towards Islamic people.

But out of such devastation, there have been glimmers of hope too. The spirit of caring, sacrifice and pride that the American people showed in the hours and days after the attacks, is still being shown today. And as families gather each year to pay tribute to those lost during the attacks, those are the images they will remember most.

Dangerous Dogs

Reporter: Natasha Thiele

INTRO: There have been a few stories in the news recently about kids being badly attacked by dangerous dogs. It's led one state government to bring in new laws to try to crack down on certain breeds of dogs and their owners. And it's raised questions about whether people should be allowed to keep dangerous dogs at all. Here's Tash.

NATASHA THIELE, REPORTER: People are starting to take aim at some of these dangerous dogs! There's the pit bull, the Rottweiler, Doberman and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Dangerous dogs have been in the news again for all the wrong reasons and now they're the ones in the line of fire.

Every year around one hundred thousand people, mostly kids, end up in hospital from a dog bite. And that can be from any kind of dog, not just the big dangerous ones.

BEV, DOG TRAINER: Even a friendly dog could become dangerous in a split second if something happened to the dog for example if it got its tail trapped in the door it might bite you. That doesn't make it a dangerous dog, but every dog has teeth so potentially even the friendliest dog might bite you in the right circumstances.

Dogs evolved from wolves, so they've all got a bit of a wild side somewhere in their DNA. And some of these dangerous dogs were bred for hunting or even for fighting against other animals like bulls. That's illegal now, but it gives you an idea about what they're capable of.

After some horrible attacks on children recently, the Victorian Government has decided it's going to crack down on dangerous dogs. It's giving people who have pitbull terriers or pitbull crosses, until the end of this month to register them. They'll have to put a muzzle on their dog in public and keep them behind a gate so they can't escape. Under the new rules, if one of these dogs is found on the streets, it will be destroyed.

Some people say the new law are a great idea, because it should reduce the number of serious dog attacks. There are already five breeds of dogs that can't be imported into Australia. And most states say restricted breeds like American Pit Bulls have to be registered and de-sexed and in some places you're not allowed to own them at all.

Others say it's unfair to single out breeds, when other types can attack too. They reckon well-trained pit bulls can be great pets and they can be really good guard dogs. But what do you think?

GIRL 1: Maybe they should be restricted and if they do have bitey dogs.

BOY 1: I think what makes a dog dangerous is probably if it's being territorial and you're in its land and it gets angry and tries to attack you.

GIRL 2: It's different if you have a dog for safety, so if you're an elderly person you might have a dog to bark or keep you aware.

BOY 2: If they're not teached, taught well, and they don't get fed by like from their owners, then they're gonna be aggressive and bad.

No matter what breed of dog you have, experts say it's important to socialise them when they're young like taking them to puppy school so they get used to being around other dogs and people. And while some dogs might look more dangerous than others, it's important to remember any dog can be unpredictable!

Online Poll

OK let's make that our poll this week.

The question is:

Should people be banned from keeping dangerous dogs?

To vote just head to our website.

Last week we asked you if it's OK for girls to wear high heels. It was a close vote. 44 per cent of you said yes. But a majority 56 per cent said no, it isn't OK for girls to wear high heels. Thanks for taking part.

On the Scene

Reporter: Nathan Bazley

INTRO: Three journalists have been fired for making it look like they

were reporting from a helicopter above the scene of a news story

even though they were nowhere near it. In one case they were just on

a helipad outside the studio. So why would journalists try so hard to

convince you that they're at the scene? And why does it even matter

if they've already got all the details of the story? Let's find out.

NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: Every night on the news, you're likely to see scenes like this, but why? When journalists are researching stories, a lot of the groundwork is done on the phone.

And when the reporter does have to go to the scene to get pictures, most of the time the event has well and truly finished by the time the news goes to air that night. So why bother reporting on location?

Well the main reason is for credibility. Which means, we're more likely to believe what the reporter is saying, because they look like they are a part of the action. And if a news team is credible, you're more likely to tune in to see them each night. But that doesn't mean that everything on the news is exactly as it seems!

JOHN, NEWS PRESENTER: Good evening and welcome to Real News, I'm John Johnson. First up tonight, to a breaking story on a new highway. Mike Mikeson is there.

MIKE: Yes, I'm standing here by a road while talking about a new highway. The road behind me isn't the new highway, nor is it anywhere near it. By standing in front of a road, it just makes me look like I'm part of the story. Also, I didn't even bother to put proper pants on, because I knew the cameraman would film me from the waist up. Back to you.

JOHN: Thanks for that report Mike. Now we're just hearing word that two men have been charged with murder. So we've got reporter James Jameson down at the court with more.

JAMES: Yes thanks John. Two men were charged with murder here about 5 hours ago now, but I'm still standing here trying to make it look like it's just happened. In fact, I'm not even standing in front of the courts. I'm just in front of this old-looking building near the studio that I think kinda looks like a court. Back to you.

JOHN: Glad you were there James. Next up, we're hearing word that a big politician has just quit dramatically, so let's cross to Dave Davidson in the newsroom with the exclusive.

DAVE: Yes John. We got word a politician has just quit via text, and because we couldn't get out to his house in time to stand in front of that, I'm here in the newsroom looking like I'm right on top of the story. Even though the newsroom is only about 20 metres from the studio you're in right now, it makes me look like I'm on top of any developments as they come to hand.

JOHN: Great exclusive. Finally tonight to the weather and our weatherman Nicholas Nickson has the forecast.

NICHOLAS: Yes the forecast for tomorrow is 15 degrees and fine and even though I got this information from a website back at base, I've come out here to make it look like I'm such a good weather man, I just stare into the sky and instantly know what's going to happen tomorrow.

JOHN: Brrr, sounds chilly Nick! Well that's all we have for you tonight, tune in tomorrow for more of the same. Bye for now!

All these tricks make the news seem more exciting and fresh. But sometimes, real news companies can do things a bit dodgier.

In Brisbane, Channel 9 news did two live crosses to reporters in a helicopter. On screen, they said they were above the scene of the story, but in one instance they were already nearly home, and in the other they were just sitting on the helipad outside the studio. They had done the crosses to make it look like they were there as they story was happening, but they were found out!

So in the end, credibility only works for a news team if they are telling the truth.

Although there are times when no one knows the truth!

This man was reporting live during Hurricane Irene in the US, and wanted to get right out in the action as sea foam whipped onto shore. Little did he know at the time that it wasn't sea foam, it was raw sewage! Now that's credibility!

Presenter: Disgusting day in the office.

Old Computers

Reporter: Kirsty Bennett

INTRO: Steve Jobs is a name that you might not know but it's pretty likely you've seen his products. He's the co-founder of Apple and recently stepped down as the company's boss. And he played a big role in making computers what they are today. But what were they like in the early days? Kirsty takes a look!

KIRSTY BENNETT, REPORTER: The year is 1969. The fear computers.

REPORTER: Excuse me, what do you think of computers?

LADY: I'm terrified by them.

MAN: I think they're here to stay definitely.

MAN 2: This plastic society we live in man it needs a scapegoat and it goes to computers. Wild.

LADY: Computers? What are they?

KIRSTY: When this TV show was made they'd just put a man on the moon. But the idea of computers still seemed alien to most people. This is how they started out. Computers were big, bulky and heavy. They filled up entire rooms. But even a computer as big as this would only have enough power to perform the simplest of tasks by today's standards. At first, computers weren't built for fun, they were used to do calculations and were used in businesses like factories and banks.

DOCUMENTARY NARRATION: The computer will note the branch number, the account number the serial number and the amount of each cheque. The banks are so busy nowadays that without computers their work would never get done.

KIRSTY: Telling the computer what to do was nothing like today. Instead of keyboards here, people punched holes into cardboard! The computer would read where the holes were and that told it to do something.

DOCUMENTARY NARRATION: The holes represent digits and the machine does the translation. For example when a name is typed it automatically appears on the card in the appropriate code.

KIRSTY: Fast forward into the 70s and 80s to a time when your parents might've looked like this. Their clothes were daggy and the technology was well kind of the same! They used floppy discs to store info. But it was all high tech in its day but even then some old computers could only display 16 colours on the screen. And so when it came to playing video games, they were basic not that people minded.

KID 1: Whoa check out this man.

KID 2: Whoa that is so cool.

KIRSTY: And whether the games were played off floppy discs or even cassette tape, they would often take forever to load up. And this is what happened. Imagine having to listen to that for too long! Portable computers back then were more like desktops this one weighed 25 kilos!

COMPUTER ADVERTISEMENT: It's helping a lot of people do their work more productively.

KIRSTY: Fortunately for us, computers now look very different and will continue to change. Cassette tapes were replaced by floppy discs, then CDs and now external hard drives and memory sticks. Today's sticks can hold more info than the computers that put man on the moon! While we might all laugh at what our parents thought was cool technology is always changing. So you never know, maybe one day your cool gadgets will look just as lame as those of your parents.

Quiz 1

OK, let's have our first quiz for the day.

The question is:

On a standard computer keyboard which letter is next to the Caps Lock?

L

A

Q

Answer: A

OK it's sport time. Here's Matt with some of the best action in the

Score.

The Score

The top eight teams in AFL and NRL will battle it out this weekend for a spot in the grand final. In AFL Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn, West Coast, St Kilda, Sydney Swans, Carlton and Essendon will play in the first week of finals. Over the weekend the top on the ladder team's Geelong and Collingwood gave fans a preview of what could come in this year's grand final. It wasn't pretty for the Magpies who were thrashed by the Cats by 96 points. At the other end of the ladder, Port Adelaide just managed to avoid the wooden spoon after an 8 point win against the Melbourne Demons. Port's win means the Gold Coast Suns finish dead last in their debut season.

In the NRL Melbourne Storm has come out as the minor premiers despite being thrashed by the Sydney Roosters 40 to 8. Storm will face up against the Newcastle Knights and second on the ladder Manly Sea Eagles will take on the North Queensland Cowboys in the first week of finals this Saturday.

Quiz 2

OK, we're going to have an athletics story soon.

But first let's test your knowledge with a quiz.

The question is: Which of these sports is not in a decathlon?

Triple jump

Pole vault

Shot put

Answer: Triple jump

Sprint Science

Reporter: Natasha Thiele

INTRO: Well, the World Championships of Athletics wrapped up at the weekend and the biggest talking point was the 100m sprint where the big favourite was disqualified for a false start. You might think that to be a top sprinter you just need to be a really fast runner, right? Well, there's a lot more to it than that! As Tash found out, it's a lot about technique and having a good game plan.

NATASHA THIELE, REPORTER: When it comes to sprinting, is there any more to it than running really fast in a straight line? Well, that helps of course but to get to the very top, there's a lot of science and technique involved too. Tayla is a sprinter. She's going to show us the science behind sprinting, by breaking the race up into 4 different phases. Phase 1, the start.

TAYLA: It's all about exploding out of the blocks to get a fast start.

In the old days people would start a sprint standing up like this. After a while they figured out that using your hands and feet to spring was better. Sprinters now use these adjustable footplates so they can push off with even more force.

Phase 2 is all about the acceleration. You need to keep low at the start. The technique's a bit like running up a staircase.

TAYLA: My technique helps me to grip the track more for extra power.

When it comes to phase 3, we're in our stride.

TAYLA: You need to keep you back straight; you knees high and take long quick strides.

To give you an idea about how long, and how quick, let's take a look at Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world.

REPORTER: His average step length in a race is a huge 2.44 metres. So each step is like a jump for somebody like me! And the quickness of these strides is just as mind blowing. He takes at least 4 of these steps every second.

The 4th phase is all about the finish.

TAYLA: A good technique at the finish line can really help you win.

This is what a photo finish looks like. To see who wins, the judges measure whose chest crossed the line first. That's why sprinters dip like this, when they reach the line. But if you dip too early, it can slow you down. Dip too late and you could find yourself out of the medals.

But it's not just technique. The top sprinters have different looking bodies to other athletes. Firstly it helps to be tall for those long strides. And it's not just about having muscly legs; it has to be the right type of muscle. Muscles are made up of lots of different fibres. Sprinters are often born with a high percentage of 'fast twitch' fibres. Whereas a long distance runner would have more 'slow twitch' fibres for endurance. That's because the fast twitch fibres give the leg more power and speed, but the muscle tires more quickly.

And have you ever wondered why sprinters have really muscly upper bodies too? Well, it's to balance out the power and speed of the legs, because your arms and legs need to move in unison.

So being able to run fast in a straight line, well yeah that helps. But to end up on top of the podium, you might need to give some thought to the science behind sprinting.

Closer

Excellent, well that's it for the show. You can jump onto our website if you want to get more info on any of the stories. You can send us your

comments and don't forget to vote in this week's poll. I'll see you next time