Moving Forward With Media Literacy
by Frank W. Baker (Spring 2010)

This past November, I was invited to Singapore to speak to school librarians there about media literacy.  The Ministry of Education has decided that media literacy will be taught in schools and it is the librarians who will teach it. So, I traveled half-way around the world to speak to them and to engage them in some activities.

In case you are wondering, English is the primary language in Singapore.  I met and spoke with many of these educators and, believe it or not, they have the same issues and questions you do:

-how can I keep up with all of the new and emerging technologies; 

-will my school unblock the filter to allow me, my teachers, and my students access to wonderful tools and knowledge;

-how can I engage students in meaningful  information and media literacy education;
-how can mobile phones be used effectively in instruction?

Regarding mobile phones, US Education Secretary Arne Duncan made it clear last summer when he said, and I quote: “With teenagers and young adults using cell phones constantly, technology officials should find ways to send homework, video lectures, and other classroom material so students can study wherever they are.”

Although your school may have restrictions on student cell phone use, I know that they will, sooner or later, find their way into schools, (whether we want them or not) much the same way as the television and computer have found their way. So the question is: does your district have a policy yet? And what forces (or advertisers) might want to see that policy revised/altered?

No matter what technology our students are using, the ability for them to think (and view) media/information critically remains paramount.

In October 2009, the BBC reported on a UK survey of youth. The survey found that one in every three students (ages 12-15) believe that the links/listings shown at the top of search results are the most “truthful.”  When I shared this statistic with some educators, they said it must be 2 of every three in the US.  I think it is safe to say that in this digital information age, we all must commit more time and energy to helping our students so that they don’t believe everything they see, read or hear.

Here is a recommendation: the January/February 2010 issue of "Multimedia & Internet@Schools" magazine contains an excellent article entitled "What Kids Know (and don't know) About Technology."  I hope you will take the time to read it and share it with a colleague.  

While doing a little digging on this topic, I came across an ed tech coordinator's blog complaining about students and their inability to search adequately. Embedded in this blog,  is a short video featuring a GOOGLE specialist who explains how to use their search engine. (I also found it on Teacher Tube.) I think this should be used with every student BEFORE he/she embarks on their next research project.

New book: This past January, ASCD published “Curriculum 21: Essential Education For A Changing World.”  Knowing that many educators belong to ASCD, you might want to ask your principal if they’ve read it and if you can borrow it. I was pleased to have been invited by editor Heidi Hayes Jacobs to write the chapter on media literacy.

Summer Opportunity: Finally, if you are thinking about expanding your own knowledge of media literacy, I highly recommend Dr. David Considine’s week-long summer institute (July 26-30) in the beautiful mountains of Boone North Carolina on the campus of Appalachian State University. The theme of this year’s  media literacy institute is:  “Linking the Literacies: Teaching & Learning in A Digital Age.” For more information, email Dr. Considine:  considinedm@appstate.edu

As always, I enjoy hearing from librarians. If you have a question, please don’t hesitate to send it along.   
Fbaker1346@aol.com

Note: This column is scheduled to be published in the newsletters of school librarians in Ohio and South Carolina and contains several revisions and links since its submission.