Media Literacy to Extend and Strengthen Communication

Across Disciplines

Explorers Guild ~ Atlanta, GAOctober 23 , 2014

Rebecca E. Burnett, Ph.D.Director, Writing and Communication

Rebecca Burnett Directs Georgia Tech's Writing

and Communication Program

Received NCTE's Media Literacy Award

Taught in public secondary schools for 19 years

OverviewDefinition

Concepts

Activities

Challenges

Resources

Definition

Definition of Media LiteracyBoundaries

Media literacy moves beyond printed text as the primary marker of literacy.Media literacy is a repertoire of communication competencies that are relevant across disciplines.

ValueMedia 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. —Center for Media Literacy, http://www.medialit.org

Why is media literacy essential strategic knowledge?

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Media Literacy Artifacts

Informational Texts• Diagrams• Labels• Specifications• Animation

Literary Texts• Narrative• Setting• Characters• Plot

MediaLiteracyArtifacts

Tales in Multiple Media

VIDEO LINKS “Little Red Riding Hood” http://vimeo.com/3514904 Annotated Version of “Little Red Riding Hood” http

://www.surlalunefairytales.com/ridinghood/index.html “Three Little Pigs” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDGrfhJH1P4 “The Raven” http://www.teachertube.com/video/the-raventhe-simpsons-version-

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Concepts…Used by Creators and by Critics

The “Media” in Media LiteracyMedia. How do the means of transmission

create/shape/influence meaning? Accuracy/Bias. What accuracies/inaccuracies/biases are

reflected? What contributes to verifiable, fair views of individuals and groups?

Values. What particular value systems are reflected in the media?

Organizations. Who are the designers/producers? What organizations are represented? What is the business model

Regulation. Who controls the production/distribution of media?

Circulation/Distribution. How are texts circulated/distributed to reach their audiences?

The “Literacy” in Media LiteracyLanguage. How are ideas conveyed with verbal, visual, and

nonverbal languages? Modes. How are available means of representation used to

create/shape/influence meaning?Genre. What genres are appropriate for particular contexts?

Situations? Purposes? Audiences? Arguments?Conventions. What conventions (linguistic, visual, media) are

followed, and what ones are flouted?Rhetoric. How are particular rhetorical factors (e.g., context,

purpose, audience, organization, design, argument) used?Sequence. How does the sequence or organization of words,

sound, and images create and influence meaning?

Benefits of Media Literacy Increases opportunities to understand and

participate in academic, community, and workplace environments.

Uses a repertoire of competencies to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and engage with messages in a wide variety of media, modes, genres, and formats.

And…

Activities

KEY WORDS CONCEPTS QUESTIONS1. Constructedness All media messages are

constructed.Who created this message?

2. Format Media messages are constructed using a media language with its own rules.

What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?

3. Audience Different people experience the same media message differently.

How might different people understand this message differently from me?

4. Content Media have embedded values and points of view.

What lifestyles, values and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message?

5. Purpose Most media messages are organized to gain profit and/or power.

Why is this message being sent?

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Activity: Cigarette Warning Labels

Activity: Texting and Driving

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Activity: Energy DrinksREPORT: A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says energy drink-related emergency room visits doubled in the last four years from about 10,000 to more than 20,000.

VIDEO: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/experts-energy-drinks-alcohol-and-teens-shouldnt-mix/htt

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Activity: Running Shoes

The painful truth about trainers: Are running shoes a waste of money?Every year, anywhere from 65 to 80 per cent of all runners suffer an injury. No matter who you are, no matter how much you run, your odds of getting hurt are the same.

Article, photos, x-ray, and diagrams: http://http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-painful-truth-trainers-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-

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Ads: Google “e-cigarette advertising” for collection of images. For video ad, go to http://www.vpuffdirect.com/blu-cig-electronic-cigarette-video.html

Industry Guidelines: Info-Electronic Cigarette.com. “The Best Electronic Cigarette Guide For 2014.” http://info-electronic-cigarette.com/

Review. Smokeless Butt Insiders/Smokeless Cigarette Advocates. “Electronic Cigarette Brands: E-Cigarette Reviews for 2014.” http://www.sbicouncil.org/e-cig-brands-and-reviews-for-2014 AD

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Ads: Google “e-cigartte advertising” for collection of images. For video ad, go to http://www.vpuffdirect.com/blu-cig-electronic-cigarette-video.html

Industry Guidelines: Info-Electronic Cigarette.com. “The Best Electronic Cigarette Guide For 2014.” http://info-electronic-cigarette.com/

Review. Smokeless Butt Insiders/Smokeless Cigarette Advocates. “Electronic Cigarette Brands: E-Cigarette Reviews for 2014.” http://www.sbicouncil.org/e-cig-brands-and-reviews-for-2014

Health Report: World Health Organization (WHO). (July 21, 2014). “Electronic nicotine delivery systems.” http://apps.who.int/gb/fctc/PDF/cop6/FCTC_COP6_10-en.pdf

Scientific article: Nature (August 26, 2014). “E-cigarettes: The lingering questions.” (and further links)http://www.nature.com/news/e-cigarettes-the-lingering-questions-1.15762

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Ads: Google “e-cigartte advertising” for collection of images. For video ad, go to http://www.vpuffdirect.com/blu-cig-electronic-cigarette-video.html

Industry Guidelines: Info-Electronic Cigarette.com. “The Best Electronic Cigarette Guide For 2014.” http://info-electronic-cigarette.com/

Review. Smokeless Butt Insiders/Smokeless Cigarette Advocates. “Electronic Cigarette Brands: E-Cigarette Reviews for 2014.” http://www.sbicouncil.org/e-cig-brands-and-reviews-for-2014

Health Report: World Health Organization (WHO). (July 21, 2014). “Electronic nicotine delivery systems.” http://apps.who.int/gb/fctc/PDF/cop6/FCTC_COP6_10-en.pdf

Scientific article: Nature (August 26, 2014). “E-cigarettes: The lingering questions.” ” (and further links)http://www.nature.com/news/e-cigarettes-the-lingering-questions-1.15762

Government site: Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (August 11, 2014). “Electronic Cigarettes.” “http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm172906.htm

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Ads: Google “e-cigartte advertising” for collection of images. For video ad, go to http://www.vpuffdirect.com/blu-cig-electronic-cigarette-video.html

Industry Guidelines: Info-Electronic Cigarette.com. “The Best Electronic Cigarette Guide For 2014.” http://info-electronic-cigarette.com/

Review. Smokeless Butt Insiders/Smokeless Cigarette Advocates. “Electronic Cigarette Brands: E-Cigarette Reviews for 2014.” http://www.sbicouncil.org/e-cig-brands-and-reviews-for-2014

Health Report: World Health Organization (WHO). (July 21, 2014). “Electronic nicotine delivery systems.” http://apps.who.int/gb/fctc/PDF/cop6/FCTC_COP6_10-en.pdf

Scientific article: Nature (August 26, 2014). “E-cigarettes: The lingering questions.” ” (and further links)http://www.nature.com/news/e-cigarettes-the-lingering-questions-1.15762

Government site: Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (August 11, 2014). “Electronic Cigarettes.” “http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm172906.htmBusiness article: Forbes. (May 1, 2014). “Will FDA

Regulation Preserve or Destroy the E-Cigarette Industry?” http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsullum/2014/05/01/will-fda-regulation-preserve-or-destroy-the-e-cigarette-industry/ BU

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Ads: Google “e-cigartte advertising” for collection of images. For video ad, go to http://www.vpuffdirect.com/blu-cig-electronic-cigarette-video.html

Industry Guidelines: Info-Electronic Cigarette.com. “The Best Electronic Cigarette Guide For 2014.” http://info-electronic-cigarette.com/

Review. Smokeless Butt Insiders/Smokeless Cigarette Advocates. “Electronic Cigarette Brands: E-Cigarette Reviews for 2014.” http://www.sbicouncil.org/e-cig-brands-and-reviews-for-2014

Health Report: World Health Organization (WHO). (July 21, 2014). “Electronic nicotine delivery systems.” http://apps.who.int/gb/fctc/PDF/cop6/FCTC_COP6_10-en.pdf

Scientific article: Nature (August 26, 2014). “E-cigarettes: The lingering questions.” ” (and further links)http://www.nature.com/news/e-cigarettes-the-lingering-questions-1.15762

Government site: Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (August 11, 2014). “Electronic Cigarettes.” “http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm172906.htm

Business article: Forbes. (May 1, 2014). “Will FDA Regulation Preserve or Destroy the E-Cigarette Industry?” http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsullum/2014/05/01/will-fda-regulation-preserve-or-destroy-the-e-cigarette-industry/

Psychology article: American Psychological Association. (March 2014). “Are e-cigarettes a game changer?” http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/03/e-cigarettes.aspx

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Ads: Google “e-cigartte advertising” for collection of images. For video ad, go to http://www.vpuffdirect.com/blu-cig-electronic-cigarette-video.html

Industry Guidelines: Info-Electronic Cigarette.com. “The Best Electronic Cigarette Guide For 2014.” http://info-electronic-cigarette.com/

Review. Smokeless Butt Insiders/Smokeless Cigarette Advocates. “Electronic Cigarette Brands: E-Cigarette Reviews for 2014.” http://www.sbicouncil.org/e-cig-brands-and-reviews-for-2014

Health Report: World Health Organization (WHO). (July 21, 2014). “Electronic nicotine delivery systems.” http://apps.who.int/gb/fctc/PDF/cop6/FCTC_COP6_10-en.pdf

Scientific article: Nature (August 26, 2014). “E-cigarettes: The lingering questions.” ” (and further links)http://www.nature.com/news/e-cigarettes-the-lingering-questions-1.15762

Government site: Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (August 11, 2014). “Electronic Cigarettes.” “http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm172906.htm

Business article: Forbes. (May 1, 2014). “Will FDA Regulation Preserve or Destroy the E-Cigarette Industry?” http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsullum/2014/05/01/will-fda-regulation-preserve-or-destroy-the-e-cigarette-industry/

Psychology article: American Psychological Association. (March 2014). “Are e-cigarettes a game changer?” http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/03/e-cigarettes.aspx

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Newspaper article: NYT. (Match 23, 2014). “Selling a Poison by the Barrel: Liquid Nicotine for E-Cigarettes.”http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/business/selling-a-poison-by-the-barrel-liquid-nicotine-for-e-cigarettes.html

Challenges

Some Challenges of Media Literacy1. WRONG: Print books are the center of classroom instruction.

2. WRONG: Literacy only has to do with reading printed texts.

3. WRONG: Word count matters. More writing = better writing.

4. WRONG: Literacy is about language.

5. WRONG: Acquiring literacy is an individual act.

6. WRONG: Developing literacy requires face-to-face instruction.

7. WRONG: Language is the core of communication.

1. 21st-c. literacies in classes involve written communication (handwritten, print, digital), oral communication (face-to-face and digital), visual communication (videos, photos, sketches, etc.), and nonverbal communication (proxemics, haptics, etc.).

2. Students do far more than read and respond to print books. Being media literate is a critical part of classroom instruction—for individuals, dyads, and small groups.

3. Quantity ≠ Quality. Word count is an insufficient measure of competence in communication.

4. Visual literacy is as important in our culture as language literacy.

5. Learning is often collaborative.

6. Teaching communication is not always face-to-face. Our MOOC reached 23,000+ participants around the world via videos and Google Hangout.

7. Communication can be dramatically effective without language.

Resources

Resources NCTE’s Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy

Educationhttp://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/fairusemedialiteracy

Literacy for the 21st Century: An Overview & Orientation Guide to Media Literacy EducationDOWNLOAD FREE COPY: http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/literacy-21st-century-overview-orientation-guide-media-literacy-education

ResourcesAssociation for Media Literacy [Canada]

http://www.aml.ca/ Language of Media Literacy: A Glossary of Terms

http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/language-media-literacy-glossary-terms

IRA/NCTE Critical Media Literacy: Commercial Advertisinghttp://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/critical-media-literacy-commercial-97.html?tab=4

ResourcesMultimedia Storytellinghttp

://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/starttofinish/multimedia/–Website, print story, telephone interview, final story and website

Bloggers Cherry-Pick From Social Media to Cast Trayvon Martin as a Menacehttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/bloggers-cherry-pick-from-social-media-to-cast-trayvon-martin-as-a-menace/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Multimedia Science: Vampire batshttp://membercentral.aaas.org/multimedia/videos/2013-science-scilifelab-prize-winner

Resources Media Literacy Lessons from NCTE ,

http://www.ncte.org/lessons/media-literacy — for example, Renaissance humanism http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/ren-humanism/

Have high school students create K-5 lessons (outcomes, text, images, questions, activities)—for example, this lesson, “Little Princesses and Fairy Tale Stereotypes,” http://mediasmarts.ca/backgrounder/little-princesses-and-fairy-tale-stereotypes [A useful reference: http://www.aml.ca/fairy-tales-with-a-modern-twist/

Resources Media Literacy TED Talks (selected)

– Andrea Quijada: Creating critical thinkers through media literacy (~7 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHAApvHZ6XE

– Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone? (~20 min)http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together

– Eli Pariser: Beware online "filter bubbles” (~9 min)http://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles?language=en

– Emily Bailin: Power of Digital Storytelling (~17 min)http://mymediatedlifeblog.com/2014/06/19/my-tedx-talk-the-power-of-digital-storytelling/

Resources Information Literacy Exercise

http://www.frankwbaker.com/info_lit_exercise.htm

50 Activities To Promote Digital Media Literacy In Studentshttp://www.teachthought.com/trending/50-activities-to-promote-digital-media-literacy-in-students/

Eight media literacy activities for any classroomhttp://www.examiner.com/list/eight-media-literacy-activities-for-any-classroom

BAM Body and Mindhttp://www.bam.gov/sub_yourlife/yourlife_addecoder_game.html

Resources Media Literacy/Core Subjects & 21st Century Themes

http://route21.p21.org/?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=168

Stamford HS Media Literacy (student sites, teacher sites, lesson plans)http://www.stamfordhigh.org/media-literacy.aspx

Five Key Questions That Can Change the World: Classroom Activities for Media Literacy (across the curriculum)http://www.academia.edu/192043/5_Key_Questions_That_Can_Change_the_World

Rebecca Burnett, rebecca.burnett@lmc.gatech.edu

CONTACT MEIf you have questions, please email…or come for a visit.