Media awareness is just as important for the students of today as understanding history and mathematics. Despite its essential role in the modern education, media literacy is not a traditional subject with the same resources and guidelines for teachers as with other subjects. Also, because of the constantly-changing nature of media, teaching media literacy can be very different from year to year. There are plenty of resources, from websites to books on media and culture, that are available for teachers who want to integrate media literacy into their lesson plans.
The Importance of Teaching Media Literacy
Being media literate is being able to think critically and to evaluate and analyze news and information; it is knowing how to access media from a variety of sources; and, it is being capable of conveying information through different media. It is the foundation of communications in a media driven society.
Students should be able to draw their own conclusions when watching the news, to be aware of the marketing campaigns directed at them, to seek answers and varying opinions, and to place their own creative works into different media formats. Children deserve and need media literacy skills in order to thrive in the future.
Teaching Media Literacy Resources — Center for Media Literacy
The Center for Media Literacy (CML) is an invaluable resource for teaching media literacy. The organization is a continuation of the publication, Media&Values, which was in print until 1993. The archives of this magazine are available on the CML website. The Center for Media Literacy is one of the first major establishments to champion media literacy in education.
The Center for Media Literacy online offers literally hundreds of articles written over the past three decades addressing media awareness, the media and culture, and studies on teaching media literacy. They have a downloadable packet, called the CML MediaLit Kit, which offers a blueprint for how to integrate media literacy into classrooms of all ages. Whether just stepping into the world of teaching media literacy, or already having years of experience, the Center for Media Literacy has something to offer all educators, parents, and anyone interested in media education.
Teaching Media Literacy Resources — Media Awareness Network
The Media Awareness Network is another leading resource for teaching media literacy. It is a non-profit Canadian organization, which has been promoting media awareness and education since 1996. It has divided its informational website into two main sections. The first one is directed towards parents. It gives ideas for discussing media awareness with children, and tips for making media in the home a stimulating and educational experience, rather than a commercialized one. The second section is for educators. It has informative research on media issues, educational games, and lesson plan ideas.
Books on Media Education, Awareness, and the Effects of Media on Culture
Aside from studying how to teach media literacy, there are a number of excellent books on media education. Researching this subject is a great way to gain foundational knowledge on the subject for teachers who are new to teaching media literacy, or simply to delve deeper into the issues surrounding media awareness.
David Buckingham's Media Education: Literacy, Learning, and Contemporary Culture is a great resource for educators. The book examines the conversation on media studies, practices today, and concepts for the future. Buckingham is an expert with over twenty years of experience in the field.
Pedagogy of Indignation, the last book penned by Paulo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, takes a hard look at the vitally important role of educators to bring children to their full potential intellectually. Paulo Freire also presents the positive social and personal changes that may come from giving children the gift of critical thinking.
Teaching Youth Media: A Critical Guide to Literacy, Video Production, & Social Change, by Steven Goodman is another essential book for educators researching media awareness. The author writes about his experiences teaching media literacy to urban youth.
Teaching media literacy and bringing awareness of media issues into the classroom can be an extremely rewarding experience for the both students and the teacher. Use the many resources made available by organizations whose mission it is to support media literacy education, and by people who want to share their experience and passion for teaching children how to think for themselves.
Sources:
"Critical Media Literacy: Some Recent References." (I Resist)
Brenna Coleman - Brenna is a freelance writer focusing on natural health and beauty. She has written hundreds of articles, helping readers find ways to ...
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