Rather than simply disregard information as “fake news” media literate individuals are empowered as “critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators and active citizens.” Translation: They actively engage with the media and information ecosystem by adopting the mantra: When in doubt, check it out. Folks at the COMM+MEDIA Research Collaboratory have curated a short list of fact checking web sites that will help kids and adults alike locate truth in popular news stories in the areas of politics, economics, science, and health. A game of fact checkers, anyone?
media literacy 101
Why We Like Adam Ruining Stuff
TruTV describes “In Adam Ruins Everything host and investigative comedian Adam Conover embarks on a comically inventive yet unrelentingly serious quest to reveal the hidden truths behind everything you know and love. Tackling topics ranging from the workplace and voting to forensic science and security, he gives you not just fun facts to share with your friends, but information that will make you see the world in a whole new way. If knowledge is power, then Adam Conover will have you laughing all the way to the top.” “Adam Ruins Hollywood” is particularly salient to watch during the award shows season (November through March). Other episodes that tap directly into the #fakenews conversation are “Adam Ruins the Internet” and “Adam Ruins Conspiracy Theories.” We also recommend “Adam Ruins Immigration” as it taps into current (misunderstood) political controversies.Why Do We Love Adam? (Hint: He Cites His Sources) Not only does he cite his sources in each episode, but there is an entire website devoted to source documentation for each episode. We love you, Adam.
Media Literacy is More Than Technological Proficiency
When 50 million children and adolescents return to school this fall, they will be immersed in the core subjects of Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies…
A Journey to Media Literacy
A big digital knuckle bump to the European Association for Viewers’ Interests (EAVI) for creating a Ning community to magnify the principles of media literacy, especially to…
A Teacher’s Guide to Media Literacy
Two of my favorite media literacy educators are NAMLE founding member Cyndy Scheibe and NAMLE founding president Faith Rogow. They have just co-authored a much-needed…
10 Steps to Making Your Classroom More Media & Technology Literate this Fall
As all of you educators out there gear up for the new school year, I assure you that by following these 10 simple steps, it…
Digital Storytelling Workshop—Hollywood Style
The folks behind the International Family Film Festival in Burbank, California are providing a unique Hollywood-style filmmaking experience next month in Philadelphia as part of…
Looking for Digital Media Literacy Resources?
PBS provides teachers with excellent tools to both create and consume media content. From Arthur’s Guide to Media Literacy to FRONTLINE segments on what it…
Building 21st-Century Teachers: An Intentional Pedagogy of Media Literacy Education
High quality teacher education requires a complex body of knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Media literacy education can (and should be thought of) as an intentional…
Show Your Media Literacy
In case you missed it, the Manitoba Association for Computing Educators (ManACE) created this video in celebration of Media Awareness Week back in 2009. It’s…