Press Conference

Historical figures face reporter questions

25–45 min12–35 studentsPanel table at front with microphone area, press corps seating

At a Glance

Duration

25–45 min

Group Size

12–35 students

Space Setup

Panel table at front with microphone area, press corps seating

Materials

Character research briefs
News outlet role cards (with bias angle)
Question preparation sheet
Press pass templates

Bloom's Taxonomy

ApplyAnalyzeEvaluate

SEL Competencies

Social AwarenessDecision-Making

What is Press Conference?

The Press Conference methodology is a high-engagement active learning strategy where students take on the roles of experts or historical figures to answer spontaneous questions from a 'press gallery' of peers. This approach works by leveraging social accountability and role-play to deepen content mastery, as students must synthesize information rapidly to respond to unpredictable inquiries. By shifting the teacher from the primary source of knowledge to a moderator, the strategy fosters a student-centered environment that prioritizes critical thinking and oral communication. It is particularly effective because it requires 'experts' to demonstrate high-level Bloom’s Taxonomy skills (specifically analysis and evaluation) while 'journalists' must practice inquiry-based learning by formulating investigative questions. Beyond content acquisition, the method builds essential soft skills such as public speaking confidence, empathy, and the ability to handle cognitive dissonance when faced with opposing viewpoints. It transforms passive reading or lecture material into a dynamic, social performance that increases long-term retention through the generation effect.

Ideal for

Understanding historical figures' decisionsDeveloping questioning and interviewing skillsExploring media bias and framingMaking historical events feel urgent and newsworthy

When to Use It

Grade Bands

K-2 –3-5 ✓6-8 ★9-12 ★

Subject Fit

Math –ELA ★Science ✓Social Studies ★SEL ★Arts ✓

How to Run a Press Conference

Assign Roles and Topics

Divide the class into 'Expert Panels' (3-4 students) and 'Press Corps' (the remaining students), assigning each panel a specific perspective or historical figure.

Conduct Research Phase

Provide 15-20 minutes for experts to master their content and for journalists to draft investigative questions based on the lesson's learning objectives.

Set the Stage

Arrange the classroom with the Expert Panel at the front behind a table and the Press Corps in rows facing them to simulate a professional media briefing.

Deliver Opening Statements

Allow the Expert Panel to give a brief, 2-minute prepared statement outlining their position or key findings before opening the floor.

Facilitate the Q&A Session

Moderate the session as the Press Corps asks questions, ensuring that the experts rotate who answers and that follow-up questions are permitted.

Conduct a Fact-Check Debrief

Lead a whole-class discussion to verify the accuracy of the answers provided and clarify any misconceptions that arose during the role-play.

Research Evidence

Barkley, E. F., Cross, K. P., & Major, C. H.

2014 · Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series, 2nd Edition

The authors categorize role-play activities like the Press Conference as essential for developing perspective-taking and the ability to apply abstract theories to concrete, real-world scenarios.

Prince, M.

2004 · Journal of Engineering Education, 93(3), 223-231

This meta-analysis confirms that introducing activity into the classroom, such as interactive questioning and student-led discourse, significantly improves student engagement and long-term knowledge retention compared to traditional lecturing.

Topics That Work Well With Press Conference

Browse curriculum topics where Press Conference is a suggested active learning strategy.

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Historical and Geographic Inquiry Capstone

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Grade 10 · Language Arts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Press Conference teaching strategy?

The Press Conference is an active learning strategy where students act as subject matter experts or historical figures to answer questions from their peers. It promotes deep inquiry and requires students to synthesize complex information into concise, verbal responses.

How do I use Press Conference in my classroom?

Assign a specific topic or persona to a small group of students and allow them time to research and prepare their 'platform.' The rest of the class acts as journalists, researching the topic to prepare challenging, open-ended questions for the live event.

What are the benefits of the Press Conference method?

This method increases student agency and improves public speaking skills while ensuring high levels of cognitive engagement. It forces students to think on their feet and view content from multiple, often conflicting, perspectives.

How do you assess a student Press Conference?

Use a rubric that evaluates both the 'experts' on their factual accuracy and professional delivery, and the 'journalists' on the quality and depth of their questions. Peer feedback forms can also be used to assess how well the experts handled difficult or unexpected inquiries.

Is the Press Conference strategy effective for shy students?

Yes, because it provides a structured role and a 'shield' of a persona, which often reduces the anxiety associated with traditional public speaking. Teachers can also place shy students in small expert panels to provide a supportive group environment.

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