Media Literacy Through Critical Thinking
While Media Literacy Through Critical Thinking by Chris M. Worsnop was written as an introduction to assessment in media education, the first part of this invaluable manual is helpful for introducing and expanding upon the five key concepts of media literacy. Teacher materials and student workbooks are provided for each key concept. To view the complete document, go to Be the Judge.
The manual is presented below in its recommended order. Each item listed is a set of Teacher Materials. When applicable, Student Workbooks can also be viewed.
Introduction and Overview
After an introduction to the basics of media education and literacy, teachers are provided with tools to help build a conceptual framework, including an extended overview of Media Literacy Through Critical Thinking; definitions, content and use of classroom models; connecting materials to EALRs; and media literacy terminology. Students are introduced to basic terminology and the five key concepts of media literacy in the accompanying Student Workbook.
Taking a Second Look
Teachers and students alike learn to probe more deeply into media texts to search for new meanings and interpretations. Teacher materials provide extension activities and resources for further exploration of the concepts introduced in the Student Workbook.
Media Texts Have Purposes and Target Audiences
Whether it’s to sell, entertain, or inform, all media texts have a broad purpose. This concepts is examined in conjunction with target audience, and explored through a variety of exercises and activities. Teacher materials provide extension activities to those in the Student Workbook.
Key Concept #1: All media are carefully wrapped packages
Deconstruction is the first step toward understanding the seamless appearances of media texts. The Student Workbook contains activities that require the deconstruction and analysis a variety of media texts, from cartoons to TV. Teacher materials provide extension activities, cross-curricular connections, and a method of assessment.
Key Concept #2: Media construct versions of reality
From image doctoring to special effects, media texts are often mistaken for reality. To facilitate the crucial exploration of illusion and reality, activities in the Student Workbook ask students to take a second look at a variety of media texts and how they construct a version of reality. Teacher materials provide extension activities, cross-curricular connections, and a method of assessment.
Key Concept #3: Media are interpreted through individual lenses
When it comes to media, interpretations may vary. To examine how different audiences respond to media texts, activities in the Student Workbook require students to give personal and “in role” responses, and to examine each others’ opinions. Teacher materials provide extension activities, cross-curricular connections, resources and a method of assessment.
Key Concept #4: Media are about money
The prevalence of ads in contemporary culture and product placement are among the concepts explored in the activities and discussions provided in the Student Workbook. Teacher materials provide extension activities, cross-curricular connections, and a method of assessment.
Key Concept #5: Media promote an agenda
The Student Workbook contains activities that require a broad range of critical and analytical skills to examine social, political and economic values, beginning with an in-depth deconstruction of an ad. Teacher materials provide comment on this complex concept, as well as extension activities, cross-curricular connections, and a method of assessment.
