Media Literacy Now is a national advocacy organization for media literacy education policy. This resource defines “media literacy,” provides updated legislation and news related to media literacy, and links to education resources for parents and educators. Its aim is to prepare young people to be thoughtful, safe, and effective consumers and creators of media.
Type of Material:
Collection
Recommended Uses:
This collection can be used by educators and parents to learn more about media literacy or to find linked resources (including lessons, books, activities) to use in the classroom. For instance, instructors can use one of the resources to inform their instructional design, especially as several of these sources include curriculum and lessons. Instructors can also start by basing lessons on the website's news or stories. The website also links to legislation and Media Literacy Now's legislative action tools that help learners take action.
Technical Requirements:
Works across browers
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Instructor goals:
Understand what media literacy is,
Know what current bills and existing legislation address media literacy,
Learn how to take action to include media literacy curriculum in education,
Discover classroom materials, resources for parents, state resources, and/or workshop materials.
Student learning goal: Consume and create media safely, thoughtfully and effectively
Target Student Population:
Pre- and in-service Professional teachers and librarians
K-20 students
Communications studies and journalism students
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Basic ICT literacy skills
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This website serves as a clearinghouse to media literacy sources (including organizations' resources such as lessons and activities) as well as current news, stories, and legislation. The website's board and chapter leaders include educators and other professionals. Information is accurate, and links are appropriately attributed -- and work. The website is self-contained, and can be used flexibly. The resource can be used to support the development of original curriculum, to learn more about the topic, or to find external resources.
Concerns:
This resource could not be assigned on its own, context would need to be provided by the instructor.
It is unclear what research has been consulted in developing this resource.
Materials are not integrated, but rather stand alone.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Media literacy is a vital part of ICT literacy standards. The main topic is introduced before moving into subtopics and external resources. Some linked resources approach the content (e.g., curriculum) thematically or developmentally. The website has loads of resources that can be incorporated into instructional design, and some sources have ready-made lessons. The variety of materials make them applicable across disciplines and both reflect and inform daily life.
Concerns:
The website does not identify learning objectives or prerequisite knowledge needed to use the resource.
The original content of the resource cannot be used to measure SLOs, although the linked lessons and resources may measure SLOs.
Because of the linked resources, approaches and depth vary widely.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is professional looking and eye-catching. Videos make this more interactive than a text-only resource. The website can be navigated independently (although the pull-down menu is not obvious), and require little technology. Users can also contact the organization, or interact via social media.
Concerns:
There is no clear recommended path or navigation direction on the page, although it can be assumed that the reader is meant to progress through the topic pages from left to right.
Not all aspects of the website are ADA-compliant.
Creative Commons:
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