Active participation by citizens. Local community engagement. Expanding media access to all. Empowerment through education. Tackling tough issues in communities. Freedom of speech. Storytelling. Citizen journalism. Understanding media and how it operates. Where do all of these important undertakings – essential to media literacy -- happen? In community media centers around the U.S. and the world. In this issue we provide two case examples of community media centers and their commitment to media literacy education: one in Dublin, Ireland and one in Brookline, Massachusetts.
We explore the historical developments which have led most audiences to accept the dominance of private and commercial media spaces in the city. In our second article, we discuss the positive roles that media, especially screen media, can play in urban life. We introduce CML’s production-based curriculum that fosters teamwork and technology skills while teaching media literacy and nutrition.
The widespread availability of new media has generally encouraged the view that anyone can practice citizen journalism with relative ease. But without learning the digital citizenship skills which media literacy training provides, citizen journalists may be as likely to engage in self-censorship as they are to incur legal liability for the content they publish. Also introduces Center for News Literacy.
In our research section, we review current research and trends in professional development for K-12 educators, and discuss the opportunities which recently developed models of professional development present for dissemination of media literacy concepts and pedagogy.
We discuss why zombies are relevant to the philosophy and purposes of media literacy education. In our second article, we focus on the pedagogical applications of horror texts, including media production and building students’ awareness of the role they play as media audiences.
In Anaheim, students advocate for 21st century skills instruction. In Boston, students learn the power and responsibility that comes with wielding a video camera. In this issue, we explore best practices in media literacy and media production programs for enhancing student empowerment. Includes an interview with Alan Michel, Executive Director of HOME, and the 2013 Jesse McCanse Awards.
Critical construction of media is a vital and necessary step towards digital citizenship and full participation in our media culture. In this issue, we discuss the benefits of critical media production programs for students, and demonstrate how they can be successfully implemented in K-12 schools. In our research section, we explore the theory and practice of critical media construction in schools, including the responsibilities implied by global distribution of student content. Media literacy pioneer Barry Duncan passed away in June.