Literacy in the general sense is the ability to be able to read (consume) and write (create). Media literacy builds on these two core elements of general literacy. Media literate individuals know how to
1) be wise consumers - to critically analyze media in all of its forms in a variety of contexts (social interactions, political discussions and campaigns, product advertising, etc.)
2) be deliberate message contributors - to use various media to share opinions and perspectives in constructive and creative ways.
Curricula
Grades:
K-12
“[U]sing the CML MediaLit Kit™ as the foundation for organizing and teaching media literacy in the PK-12 classroom, creates a 21st century learning environment in which students gain the communicating, problem-solving, and decision-making skills needed for living all of their lives in a global media culture. “The MediaLit Kit™ documents can be used individually or together, for training workshops, in-services, library reference and parent/community education as well as in the K-12 classroom.”
Grades:
5-12
"Checkology’s lessons and other resources show you how to navigate today’s challenging information landscape. You will learn how to identify credible information, seek out reliable sources, and apply critical thinking skills to separate fact-based content from falsehoods." Checkology also covers topics like "deep fake" videos and the role of journalism in a democracy.
Grades:
6-8
“Weekly [turnkey] lessons in digital citizenship, information literacy, and media literacy help students learn to use tech wisely and confidently. This program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical discussion and decision making about digital media issues... all through role-play, hands-on projects, and problem solving tasks.”
Grades:
"Digital Respons-Ability is a local company with extensive experience working directly with school districts and parents. Our curriculum is flexible and adaptive to any school or audience."
Grades:
6-8
“In this class [a 50-minute lesson plan], students will identify guidelines for evaluating the credibility of content online. A Student Handout Booklet accompanies this class.”
Videos
Grades:
7-12
“In Their Own Words – High School Students Speak about Media Literacy”
Grades:
7-12
Creating critical thinkers through media literacy: Andrea Quijada at TEDxABQED. 7-minute video talks about deconstructing media and seeing submessages.
Interactive Games
Grades:
various
This game allows students to explore what it can feel like to be a leader trying to navigate hard decisions that don't have clear solutions and involve gathering input from many different citizens and experts. Students can practice distinguishing between facts/information, opinions, and solution ideas. In addition, students have a chance to see how unexpected consequences are always associated with any decision.
Grades:
K-3
“Using a context of food marketing, this interactive game helps young children recognize the marketing techniques used on commercial websites that target children.”
Grades:
various
This updated library has a variety of games for different age groups to teach digital and media literacy
Student Projects
Meridian Stories
Grades:
various
Civics-minded media creation for students, including curricula, student project ideas, and student competitions
Grades:
K-12
“In the same way we teach traditional writing as a way of developing reading comprehension, by incorporating movie production, students became much more advanced in talking about the things that go into making a movie like costumes, makeup and special effects,” Needleman said. “It’s a real hands-on way of teaching media literacy because they are becoming much more critical thinkers about media, which is where they’re getting their information. There’s nothing in No Child Left Behind about media literacy, but it is something that is critical for students in today’s world.”
Educator Training
CE Credit:
Unknown
“Getting Started: Strategies for Introducing Media Literacy in your School or District” (More materials available in the Consortium’s store.
CE Credit:
Unknown
“Along with its handouts, Literacy for the 21st Century is an invaluable reference for teachers, media librarians, curriculum developers, researchers and anyone who wants to understand what media literacy is all about and/or explain it to others. As a resource for workshops, graduate seminars or faculty in-service programs, it provides an unparalleled overview of the field and a common language and vocabulary for building a media literacy program in a school or district.”
NCET (National Council of English Teachers) post on Media Literacy
Informational
Explores basics of Media Literacy and shares simple examples of how Media Literacy can be used across core curriculum areas
Informational
"The deluge of unfiltered information that streams through the Internet has necessitated a change in our pedagogical orientation--forcing us to focus more on teaching students to analyze and evaluate information rather than to remember it. In social studies, this has meant a shift to teaching critical thinking skills including the abilities to ask key questions, compare competing claims, assess credibility, and reflect on one’s own process of reasoning."
CE Credit:
Unknown
Demonstrate your expertise in teaching PreK-12 students to think critically about their roles as media consumers and creators -- or in training teachers to do so.
Earn eight media literacy micro-credentials and automatically
become a PBS Certified Media Literacy Educator. Teachers, ToSAs, coaches, and librarians are all encouraged to apply.
PBS Certified Media Literacy Educators have demonstrated mastery with
- evaluating, creating, and sharing media effectively to support their own learning
- designing and implementing instruction and assessing student learning of these same skills
Once certified, you'll receive a letter of recognition from PBS to share with your school and district leaders.
Certification is free.
Helpful Resources & Tips
Grades:
K-12
“What is Media Literacy? A Definition … and More.” Includes up to date news and announcements.
Grades:
K-12
Andrea Quijada, former president of the Media Literacy Project, explains basics of Media Literacy and shows examples of how students are practicing it
Grades:
K-12
“This is the first in a series of articles about media literacy and how to teach your children to look and think critically about the media they view.” Although the website is designed primarily for parents, the materials here could also be used by a teacher in a classroom.
Grades:
various
This slide deck is a bonus resource from EPIK's Digital Wellness discussion series, including some basic information about Media Literacy and several Media
Literacy activity ideas that can be used by families, friend groups, classrooms, civic engagement groups, church groups, etc.
Grades:
K-12
“You can use these simple paper cards to introduce a structured approach that helps students learn to critically analyze any media text --- web sites, books, advertising, news, TV shows, movies, video games, magazines and music.”
“Media Literacy is a 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to the Internet. Media Literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy.” Includes many videos.
Media Smarts - resource on Digital and Media Literacy
Grades:
various
Various resources to help teach and learn about digital and media litearcy
Prodigy - 10 Media Literacy ideas for the classroom
Grades:
1-8
10 engaging Media Literacy ideas
Grades:
K-12
The Utah Education Network has links to numerous resources to become more media literate as well as teacher resources for teaching media literacy.