My school had fifteen minutes of extra time, which we called Channel One time, from sixth grade to senior year. This was the period where everyone was suppose to sit quietly and watch fifteen minutes of news. In reality everyone would talk or do their homework during that ‘free time’. Some of the teachers would even turn the TV on mute, so that it would not be a distraction to anyone.
Advertising has the ability to get on a lot of people’s nerves. Channel One is not in that category. There are about ten minutes of news, which forces students to know what is going on in the world, and about five minutes of advertising. The advertisements are about the negative connotations of drunk driving and drugs, along with a few commercials. For the most part, the advertisements are for a good cause.
There is advertising everywhere, but people have the ability to not be sucked into them. They can change the channel or the radio station. It is worth watching fifteen minutes of advertisements and news with the payoff of schools receiving new technology. It would be terrific if schools could collect funds without having to add channel One, but for know I think it is a good alternative to receiving no benefits at all.
