When teaching SSI such as global warming and biofuel production, an important skill to teach students is the ability to question the media, and back their reasoning with scientific knowledge. This is where classroom debates regarding SSI is a useful assessment activity to do in the classroom.
Ekborg, M., Ottander, C., Silfver, A., & Simon, S. (2013). Teachers' experience of working with socio-scientific issues: a large scale and in depth study. Research in Science Education, 43(2), 599-617.
Klosterman, M., Sadler, T., & Brown, J. (2011). Science teachers’ use of mass media to address socio-scientific and sustainability issues. Research in Science Education, 42(1), 51-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11165-011-9256-z