Using Media As A Catalyst for Writing Frank W. Baker media educator Media Literacy Clearinghouse

The media What do you want your students to know about “the media”?

The media literacy approach Traditional Model READ WRITE New Model DECONSTRUCT---CREATE ANALYZE PRODUCE

What is “media literacy”? Take a few minutes to answer: What does media literacy mean? OR What should our students be “media literate”?

Media literacy the ability to--- access, analyze, evaluate & produce both print & electronic media Source: 1992 Aspen Institute Nat’l. Leadership Conf.

Media literacy- AMLA Media literacy empowers people to be both critical thinkers and creative producers of an increasingly wide range of messages using image, language, and sound. It is the skillful application of literacy skills to media and technology messages. As communication technologies transform society, they impact our understanding of ourselves, our communities, and our diverse cultures, making media literacy an essential life skill for the 21st century.

Partnership for 21 st Century Skills Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Literacy Maps

Media literacy in South Carolina’s ELA teaching standards Communication: Viewing The student will comprehend and analyze information he/she receives from nonprint sources. Grade 2 begin recognizing details, setting, characters, and cause and effect in material from nonprint sources

Media literacy in South Carolina’s ELA teaching standards Grades 3-5 demonstrate the ability to make predictions about the content of what he/she views Grades 4-5 Begin evaluating the ways that different nonprint sources influence and inform

Media literacy in South Carolina’s ELA teaching standards Grades 6-8 demonstrate the ability to distinguish between fact and opinion, to compare and contrast information and ideas, and to make inferences Grades 6-8 evaluate the ways that the use of language, the medium, and the presentation contribute to the meaning and impact of a message

Media literacy in South Carolina’s ELA teaching standards Grades 9-12 Demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the techniques used in nonprint sources for a particular audience.

Teaching Strategy photos from history photos from magazines/newspaper photos in advertisements Still Photographs photos from history photos from magazines/newspaper photos in advertisements TV/streaming commercials Motion pictures Moving Images TV/streaming commercials Motion pictures

The languages of TV & Film CAMERAS Positioning (high, low) Movement (pan, tilt) Physically moving the camera SOUND (narration, music, sound effects) LIGHTING EDITING (post production) SETS & COSTUMES

The writing (producing) connection Elementary - have students create cereal boxes using words and colors and other attractive features features - have students design a print ad based on a favorite toy commercial using techniques of persuasion

The writing (producing) connection Middle School - storyboard and script a favorite scene/ad from TV/film - design the cover of a CD or DVD - create a counter tobacco ad after learning how to read an ad - examine alliteration in a hip-hop song

The writing (producing) connection High School - students create a 30 second news promo based on info found in the morning newspaper - Examine stereotypes portrayed in film and/or television - Write a film or television review