Section outline

  • Week 5:  Critical Thinking & Myths – How TV often Slants Evidence to Sell a Product

    Success Criteria

    Students will gain an understanding of the business model that TV shows operate on and the tendency to sensationalize their programs to sell a product. This week we will examine the famous Don Decker ‘Rain Man’ case. It has been the subject of several TV programs including Unsolved Mysteries. These programs suggest that Mr Decker has supernatural powers. While many people have considered this event to be one of the best cases of the paranormal ever documented, when I investigated this case with American detective Joe Nickell, we found that the TV programs had left out key information and twisted facts to make it appear that something supernatural was going on, when there was no credible evidence to support their claims.


    EXPLORE / TŪHURA

    EXPLORE / TŪHURA learning intentions:

    • We are EXPLORING the concept of myths, legends, fables, and fairytales and their meaning. Students will become familiar with key vocabulary on this subject. We are EXPLORING the concept of myths and legends that are prominent in Maori culture involving the exploits of Kupe and Maui. We are EXPLORING the concept of urban myths and their meaning. Specifically we will explore the urban legand of 1) The Kentucky Fried Rat, ‘Alligators in the Sewers,’ and the 2016 Clown Scare in New Zealand. Students will also become familiar with key vocabulary on this subject. We are EXPLORING the concept of how the entertainment media (specifically TV shows) sensationalize information about supernatural claims in order to sell a product. We will focus on the example of the famous Don Decker ‘Rain Man’ case which been the subject of several TV programs that have left out key information and twisted facts to make it appear that something supernatural was going on, when there was no credible evidence to support their claims.