media use through interviews, literacy diaries during a month period, questionnaires, and home observation with 62 families. I have asked students nearly every semester about their news reading habits. Have students think about how important it is to give accurate news and how the wording they use plays a role in how the writing is received. Media literacy is more important than ever in a shifting media environment; this is especially true for undergraduate students, many of whom have little experience in learning how to locate, evaluate, and critically analyze the information they should be consuming about the world. For the foreign language class, literacy activities based on a reading text can be especially useful. Donations are voluntary and not required to download the e-book - your link to download is below. However, with technology tools continuing to shape and change the way students live and learn, another skill falls into play as a necessity: media literacy. Plus, the vast majority of today’s careers require at least some digital skills (which include anything from complex skills like coding to simpler ones like composing and sending emails). © 2021 K-12 Teachers Alliance. Teach students why media literacy matters. In the first place, the use of false news stories to attempt to say voter behavior in the 2016 US elections is not just the matter of public debate; it is also central to legal investigations into Trump administration connections to Russia. Video clips, educational games, and virtual simulations are just a few examples of technology resources you can use to engage and educate in the classroom. Giving students suggestions about 3-4 quality news sources they should consider following can be a good starting point for developing good habits of daily news reading. Many of us (rightfully) believe that the classroom is a place to teach students the most innovative research, arguments, and theories in our respective fields. The training highlighted some examples of fake Media Literacy Find and share resources to help students learn to analyze, evaluate, and communicate in a world with countless media sources and constant access to powerful computers. The media literacy classroom expands the traditional definition of literacy to one that includes “reading” print, screen-based and electronic media, and “writing” or producing a variety of texts in the English classroom. Media literacy— that is, the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms—has become increasingly complex over recent years. Below are five strategies for communicating and teaching better media literacy in our political science and international relations classrooms: 1. Extension: have students design their own classroom or personal logo. Bringing Digital Literacy to the Classroom My journey to embedding digital literacy in my classroom has been one of small steps, starts and stops, and lessons learned. Whether digital or in paper format, newspapers act as the main form of news for many adults. In political science, we can spend more time talking about recent research trends related to the effects of the media on the public. Students learn literacy knowledge and skills as they engage with Within media literacy students learn how to effectively access, evaluate, and produce different forms of media. However, it brought into class discussion the issue of how we might know that this coverage is legitimate and trustworthy. Below are five strategies for communicating and teaching better media literacy in our political science and international relations classrooms: 1. Integrate Current Event Assignments in the Classroom:Many professors who teach political science or international relations integrate current events into their classrooms. Below are a few examples you can use today. and practices. Students are exposed to a vast array of visual media. Additionally, recognizing point of view is another reason media literacy is important. However, communicating news literacy to students is not antithetical to these concerns, nor is it outside the boundaries of instruction. Teaching media literacy is essential for today's students. Here are 5 easy ways to bring literacy into your art classroom today. What is the old saying, two heads are better than one? 4. Use Social Science Research to Show Students How Media Affects Political Beliefs and Behavior: Finally, we can do what we do best as social scientists and educators. I recently attended some excellent training on media literacy in the classroom, which was hosted by the US Embassy and delivered by Damaso Reyes of the News Literacy Project. bandwidth bills to ensure we keep our existing titles free to view. Use the activities above to start teaching media literacy in your classroom. What do you see when you look at an image? Media literacy is the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages that media is sending (Common Sense Media). in EdTech, Concordia University St. Paul, MN, Determining whether something is credible. Media Literacy is a book written for teachers, researchers, and theo rists who have grown up in a world radically different from that of the students they teach, study, and theorize about. Here are the most effective ways to help bring literacy into any classroom: Use different media to reinforce your text In the same way strong houses are made from a variety of materials, literacy can be reinforced through different media. According to Media Smarts , a Canadian-based organization for digital and media literacy, this allows students to critically understand the nature, techniques and impacts of media messages and productions. In the second place, the expansion of internet media sources has exacerbated this issue simply through the ease of access and ease at which actors disseminate false information. Whether this situation sounds familiar or you’re able to dedicate a unit to it, below are 10 engaging activities that teach media literacy. First off, it teaches kids to think critically about the media they are using. Being able to understand the author’s perspective and where they are coming from helps students sort through media to determine the influence it may have. I am not an expert on Snapchat; perhaps Snapchat has great news coverage. With discussions abounding regarding the role of professors in activism and political engagement on the one hand and neutrality on the other, there are things we can do to better teach students to use critical reasoning skills, know more about the world they are studying, and become better citizens. If we want students to learn about the world, how it works, how structures and processes are connected, this requires students to engage with news media. This type of assignment forces students to consider these issues before sharing news and analysis in class discussion. Have students work together to create a class newspaper as they experience what it takes to research and write news. Media Literacy is an important part of education and there are many different ways to incorporate it into the classroom. Teaching Visual Literacy: How to teach film, video games, picture storybooks and advertising in the classroom. Digital literacy is changing reading--not at its core necessarily, but certainly at its edges as it expands to include new kinds of 'reading.' (These maps are The wager here is that more informed students will be better prepared to fight, resist, and respond to bad information, bad arguments, and false narratives. The literacy-rich environment emphasizes the importance of speaking, reading, and writing in the learning of all students. Students learn to ask questions about why a certain media was created, why certain aspects were included or why particular information was left out. 1. A simple Google search of “drawings with hidden images” gives a variety of options as does using famous art. Your donations allow us to invest in new open access titles and pay our Sure, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication all continue to land at the top of the charts. Media in the classroom engage students in learning and provide a richer experience. Divy up the content, having some students write fiction pieces and others non-fiction. Many thanks! The library at my institution, for example, offers students free access to the New York Times online. This media has evolved since their parents’ time and includes everything from text messages to social media, viral videos, video games, and memes. What I have done in introductory political science courses, for example, is have students research a news story they want to talk about, and, before presenting the story for class discussion, requiring the student to describe to the class which outlet the source is from, and give a few reasons why this outlet should be considered a credible source. Pew Research Center conducted a global survey about public trust in news media. When asked whether the news media are doing very/somewhat well at reporting political issues fairly, only 47% of Americans responded affirmatively. All rights reserved. Introducing Everyday Digital Literacy Practices into the Classroom: An Analysis of Multi-layered Media, Modes and their Affordances La introducción de prácticas de alfabetización digital cotidianas en el aula de clase: un análisis de los medios y modos “multiestrato” y sus potencialidades Battling Fake News and (In)Security during COVID-19, Technology and Tyranny: Social Media and the End of the Liberal World Order, How to Stay Grounded in the Age of Information Overload, Hacking Westphalia: ICT Infrastructures, Fake News and Global Politics, Considering the Whole Ecosystem in Regulating Terrorist Content and Hate Online, Cultivating Your Silence in the Classroom. All Rights Reserved | Site by Rootsy. All content on the website (with the exception of images) is published under the following Creative Commons License, Copyright © — E-International Relations. Far beyond the traditional media such as newspapers, television, and radio, children take in a wide array of other media. Each child is given a turn to pick out two words that rhyme. Media literacy's "inquiry process" transforms teaching and frees the teacher to learn along with students -- becoming a "guide on the side" rather than a "sage on the stage." Have students watch short clips or short shows and have them identify the central message. 3. Media literacy is important for several reasons. It also, in another way, helps to develop broad-based analytic skills necessary for college-level study. The model of progression, and the classroom examples we use here, are based on the ’Developing Media Literacy’ research, which was conducted in eight schools with children of different ages. She concludes that global media has a funda- This involves the selection of materials that will facilitate language and literacy opportunities; reflection and thought regarding classroom design; and intentional instruction and facilitation by teachers and staff. What is media literacy, why is it so important, and what are some examples of how to teach and practice media literacy in the classroom? But defining exactly what media education and media literacy are – and how best to integrate them into the classroom – isn’t always straightforward. Students also learn that not all media is factual, and that it is important to fact check sources. These numbers are not shockingly different from other countries like the UK or France, as well. Using the four dimensions of critical literacy—disrupting the commonplace, considering multiple viewpoints, focusing on the sociopolitical, and taking action—as a springboard, I focus on how purposeful questioning, discussion Create a list on the board. Dillon Stone Tatum is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Geography at Francis Marion University. According to These are media literacy skills. Here are 9 ways you can integrate different types of media and technology into daily lessons. Use this activity to show students how news can get altered based on how the person looking at the scene, or photo, perceives what they are viewing. While teaching my lecture series called “Introduction to Political Science” this past semester, one of my students told me (and others reaffirmed) that she gets most of her news from Snapchat. amount, in any currency, is appreciated. Media literacy is an important skill needed in this 21st century. This section has been created to clarify what media literacy is all about, and to offer practical suggestions to help you make media … E-IR is an independent non-profit publisher run by an all volunteer team. Before you download your free e-book, please consider donating to Students will enjoy and learn from taking a closer look into the media they use and reflecting on its purpose. Developing literacy skills so that students become active, critical readers should be a key part of educational programs at all ages. This article describes how digital and media literacies are woven into a fourth-grade classroom. It has…, What is Proficiency-Based Learning? While these forms of media are all different, they were created purposefully by someone and for a particular reason. The key to health literacy is to make it fun and engaging for learners Karen: One of our challenges is going to be taking ourselves out of the dryness of the notions of what health, health literacy and health promotion are, and to bring to young people a diverse set of activities, ideas, case studies, vignettes and opportunities to explore the world of health literacy in a really engaging way. Determining whether something is credible is an important skill to have. Social media in the classroom, while not perfect, has its benefits. Though many teachers are (perhaps wisely) forbidden to “friend” students on facebook, that doesn’t mean that facebook, pinterest, social media at large are without merit in education. Literacy Writ Large Indeed, there are so many new forms of ‘literacy’ as the types of media content, mechanisms for generating them, their almost universal accessibility, and viral nature of content has overhauled traditional media. Interactive media, such as SMART Boards, allow students to move items around on a screen for illustrative purposes, a definite plus for those Asking students simple questions like “Who created this,” “Why did they create this,” “Who was this intended for,” “What details may have been left out,” or “How does this make you feel?” are all good ways to help kids think about the media they are accessing. A few startling statistics highlight this problem. Any Receive the latest in education news and lesson plans via email. The examples below identify some of the elements that are related to learning activities in digital media literacy. Below are a few examples you can use today. That is why it is important that students understand the purposes behind the creation of content as well as why media literacy has been added to the list of 21st-century skills. As technology continues to shape the way students live and how they will participate in the world as they enter into the job field, it is important that they understand the way media influences and shapes perceptions. Media Literacy in the Classroom Works Cited Missing Media literacy is defined as "the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate messages in a variety of forms" (Know TV). 3. Invite Campus Resources to Come Speak with Your Courses: Many campuses have resources related to media literacy; take advantage of these resources. Often I hear math teachers complain about standardized tests…, Writing across the curriculum has been touted as an essential component of literacy…, With so many different types of learners in classrooms, possibly one of the…. Then have students write their own short story or act out a skit that has a theme or message that classmates can figure out. Giving students reasons about why media literacy matters in politics creates further incentive for students to engage in more disciplined research into sources. Literacy in the Preschool Classroom - 9 C I R C L E T I M E Rhyme Time Board: This activity is used every day to end circle time. This is an important part of many of the seminar sessions I hold, for example. These are media literacy skills. Complemented by a thorough explanation of why media literacy matters, use the activities that best apply to you and keep the … The skills needed to succeed in school and in future careers look a little different in this 21st-century age than they did decades prior. 2. Teach Students Skills about Locating Good Sources:There are a variety of good infographics and tutorials on locating good news sources (here and here are examples I teach with, though with modifications). Integrate Social Media Because students already spend so much of their time on social media, integrating its use into your classroom is among the most innovative ways to use technology in the classroom by connecting His research and teaching interests are in international relations theory, the history of liberal internationalism, and critical security studies. Use a Google search to pull up pictures of these logos. Only 56% of that same sample responded affirmatively when asked if news media are reporting news accurately. The problem is: many students do not know that this exists at their universities. Examples of media, mass media communications and media literacy will be explained and evaluated in order to form an understanding of why media literacy … Ask students to brainstorm various logos they are familiar with (Under Armour, Apple, McDonald’s, Starbucks, etc.). EdTech teacher; M.A.Ed. Also, simply cropping a photo you have and creating your own “unclear” picture can be a good starting point. My friend Ira posted on Facebook that there’s a spider that lives in your toilet and will bite you as soon as Integrate Current Event Assignments in the Classroom: Many professors who teach political science or international relations integrate current events into their classrooms. In this activity, students will look at various images and write about what they think they are looking at. What does it make you feel? However, rather than simply asking the class “What’s in the news today?” or presenting news stories yourself, attempt to fashion these activities in ways that engage students in the process of locating and justifying choice of sources. Teachers can also build many of the other elements of particular key skills into their classroom … All students have to do is ask the library for log in credentials. Disney movies, for example, have many examples of courage, loyalty, friendship, and determination. Most media has underlying messages that are communicated to the audience. Media Literacy Examples to Try in the Classroom Media Literacy is an important part of education and there are many different ways to incorporate it into the classroom. Integrating these into your lecture or seminar periods can increase the quality of current event assignments, and provide students with the tools to find quality news. Many of them have told me that they would like to be more informed, but that it is overwhelming at times to mediate between so many sources. 8. Politically, this is an issue as well. Media Literacy in the Library: A Guide for Library Practitioners November 2020 5 “I’m looking for information about spiders. Ask students questions like, “Would you have still recognized this logo if it were a different color, if different shapes were used, or if it was in a different font?” Have students reflect on how important it is for companies to use the exact same logo every time, and how this logo influences consumers. Every creator has a perspective and is creating content based on their opinions, beliefs, or assumptions. As an extension, have students take their own close up pictures of objects around the classroom and see if classmates can figure out exactly what the picture is of. Examples could be interviewing the principal on why she wanted to go into education, researching a current event, or writing about the history of the town. When someone is not sure what they are looking at, how can that alter the news? It is not a far jump to conclude that this lack of trust has to do, at least in part, with media literacy—if news consumers are not educated on how to locate and critically analyze news sources, this could lead to a higher level of distrust in politically partisan or factually inaccurate reporting. This does not necessitate partisanship. By focusing on process skills rather than content knowledge , students gain the ability to analyze any message in any media and thus are empowered for living all their lives in a media-saturated culture. Some libraries will come and talk to students about doing media research, and may even have resources for students free of charge. support open access publishing. Background on how a teacher and school brought new literacies to students through the use of technology is revealed so that other teachers can engage in similar instructional support. Literacy presents those aspects of the Language and Literacy strands of the Australian Curriculum: English that should also be applied in all other learning areas.