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Integrating Media Literacy Education into Teaching Media Studies

Some schools teach media literacy skills in Media Studies classes, rather than (or in addition to) integrating the work into English or Social Studies. This Q&A will guide you in that effort.

What is 'media studies' and how does it differ from 'media literacy'?

Briefly, media literacy is the outcome -- the skill one has after taking media studies classes. These two terms, plus media education, tend to be used interchangeably. This page on the Media Awareness site gives a good explanation (especially the third comment by Chris Worsnop)

How can I find out what my state teaching standards say about media/media literacy?

Media educator/consultant Frank Baker has built a matrix showing which states have a media studies strand in the curriculum.

How do I begin integrating media education into my daily teaching?

Start with this outstanding, easy-to-implement, 12-page How to Integrate Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Into Any Curriculum (opens a PDF file in a new window) from Project Look Sharp at Ithaca College in New York, where many teachers learn how to incorporate media literacy into their classrooms.

Also check out the Media Education Lab at Temple University, which offers an outstanding free collection of education resources that will help you get started, including a Code of Best Practices for Fair Use in Media Literacy Education.

Are there textbooks to help me learn about media/media literacy?

Yes. For the best books and teaching materials selected and reviewed by members of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, visit TeachMediaLiteracy.org and use the pull-down menus at the top of the page to select your grade level and then a Topic or Curriculum Area. Hit the GO button to get a list of great resources.

What other resources are available?

• Media Education Foundation MEF has many outstanding, thought-provoking materials you can use to stimulate analysis and reflection about media. Most videos (also in DVD format) have printed discussion guides, and are primarily for older teens, college-age and adults. Topics include gender roles and sexism, global media issues, consumer culture, media portrayals of race and sexual orientation, media violence, alternative viewpoints, and much more.
• New Mexico Media Literacy Project Innovative CD-ROM teaching resources, study guides and other materials, primarily around media influence on young people through advertising. K-12 curriculum materials are very teacher-friendly.

Are there online lesson plans relevant to: audiences, history of media, TV/video production, representation, and ideology?

• Media Awareness Network See The Lesson Library on the right sidebar, with search capability by topic area and grade level. This is an outstanding site, and demonstrates how far the U.S. has to go in integrating media education into our curricula.
• PBS Teacher Source has a huge collection of lesson plans and activities. Search keywords television and radio.
• Media Literacy Clearinghouse has a wealth of information and links. Topics include TV & radio production, Radio and sound, and many more.
• Media Education Foundation has a number of useful materials you can download, including Deconstructing a Video Advertisement and How to be a Critical Media Viewer.

What are the best overall media education websites, and how can I most easily find information on them?

See our Teaching pages for English/Language Arts , Social Studies & History , Health & Life/Consumer Skills - each cites a few of the best sites.

Use the search box in the upper left corner of this page to search what we consider to be the top media literacy sites on the web. Just enter your search term(s) and you'll get results from the best on the web.

How can I locate a media education speaker for a workshop or conference?

That one's easy! Visit our Media Literacy Speakers Bureau™ here on this website.

Are there organizations and professional development opportunities to help me with my media literacy teaching?

Yes. Check out our Community page, and review our Calendar of conferences & events.

Is there a media literacy list serve or discussion group I can join to network with others like me?

Yes, our Community page has that information.

Once you learn to look and listen with media-literate eyes and ears, and to create your own messages in new media formats, your life will never be the same. Enjoy the journey.

Many thanks to media literacy consultant/speaker Frank Baker (editor of Media Literacy Clearinghouse and advisor to MediaLiteracy.com) for his help with this Teaching section.