Frank Baker's Workshop Testimonials (solicited):
Using Edward R. Murrow Broadcasts As Primary Sources, Democracy, Diversity & The Media, Appstate Edu., Boone NC 7/21/08
" made teachers feel comfortable in exchanging points and questions"
" provided relevant resources and creative strategies for incorporating them into the social studies classroom"
" excellent information"
" Baker's information on Murrow was in-depth and informative"
" engaging and thought provoking"
Media Production In The Classroom, AC Flora HS, Columbia SC, 6/17/08
"this workshop truly provides quality real life images common to a diverse population of students to use as a
catalyst to sift through information."
"very practical, useful information to use in all classes to teach the standards for media literacy."
"every teacher needs this....this would enhance your lesson plans tremendously."
"easy, enjoyable and informative"
Media Literacy: LMS Summer Institute, SC State Department of Education, Columbia SC 6/16/08
"media literacy is more important than ever. This workshop was interesting and relevant to my library media program."
"today’s workshop was powerful. It makes me wonder why I haven’t taught some of these things before."
"Learning about media literacy enables me to teach my students important life long skills. Not only was I provided with
important concepts, but also exercises I can use in the classroom."
"Frank is a dynamic presenter which will help teachers get into the media, and serve as a stimulus for our students."
"The presentation is a great way to help students and teachers alike identify what really happens in commercials. The storyboarding exercise is a great writing tool!"
Media Literacy: 21st Century Skills- Teacher Tech Days, SC ETV, Columbia SC (4/23-25/08)
" I am leaving with several lesson plan ideas that I'm excited to begin drafting and putting into practice."
"As a veteran teacher, I have made a concentrated effort to pay attention to the changing tides in education.
Media literacy is the wave of the future."
" Before you may wonder: 'why's this important?' After, you'll wonder how you ever got along with it."
" A very important topic that can be used in any subject area. What our students need to be thinking citizens
with tools to make wise decisions."
" I learned specific activities that I can use in my classroom tomorrow and where I can find more easily."
" This was great to enhance what I already know!"
"This workshop was awesome. I left the presentation with a new sense of teaching media and strategies
to use with my students!"
Media Literacy- Writing Improvement Network, Hursey ES, N. Charleston SC (4/9/08)
"Frank inspired us to put ourselves in our students' POV- harnessing a never-ending interest in video as a tool in the classroom."
"Frank Baker's presentation effectively shows the variety of ways the media can be used in the classroom through
non-printed and printed sources."
"It was not what I expected--it was more, much more: eye-opening, thought provoking--totally entertaining!"
Media Literacy, ELA Professional Development Day, Anderson 5, Anderson SC (2/18/08)
" enjoyable, engaging presentation ! This info can be applied to all subject areas and any grade level ! "
" definitely the best workshop I've been to this year."
" Today's workshop was interactive and engaging. I actually learned things that are practical enough to
apply in my classroom."
Media Literacy, Professional Development Day, Union County Schools, SC (2/15/08)
" I will never be the same. This in-service workshop has empowered me to take (embrace) new challenges.
I am so excited about implementing media literacy into my lesson plans, procedures and everyday life. I will
never view commercials the same!"
Webinar: Reading The Media (NCTE, 2/5/08) Download the powerpoint from this webinar
" Fantastic session !"
" Thank you for putting in so much time and effort building these resources and your willingness to share them!"
" Good info. and the website will be visited."
SC Literacy Conference, Charleston SC, ( 12/10/07)
"Fabulous presentation which made the importance of media literacy relevant and clear for multi-levels of students."
" Media literacy is, one if not the only, sure way to prepare students to be literate thinkers and creators in today's society."
" This workshop is a real way to motivate students."
2007 Fall Writing Conference, Greenville SC (11/08/07)
"this was the highlight of the conference...every bit of information can be applied to our classrooms and SC standards."
"I'm so glad you're educating today's educators on this surprisingly overlooked study."
"This session is relevant to modern digital natives and shares many practical ideas for the classroom."
"..he skillfully shows educator the importance of, and the necessity of, including media in the classroom."
Media Literacy, ELA Professional Development, Horry County Schools, Myrtle Beach SC (10/29/07)
" I was able to learn more about what needs to be taught rather than just talking about media literacy."
" this workshop was just what I needed to add rigor and creativity !"
"...extremely relevant for teachers and students in this age of digital media..."
"...opened my eyes on how media literacy can be used in the classroom..."
" This workshop was both engaging and practical, filled with activities that can be used immediately."
Using The Media To Teach Standards, Upper Coastal SC Middle School Assn, (10/24/07)
" This was timely. I've thought about the issue of media literacy, but I needed this fire lit under my feet."
K12 Education in the Internet Age, EdTech 2007 PreConference, Myrtle Beach SC (10/24/07)
"I feel more media literate after attending this session."
"Frank Baker is a great speaker who provides information on media literacy that is relevant to students
who will become life-long learners."
Faculty Workshop: Fulton Normal Advance Technology Charter School, Greenville SC (10/22/07)
" Frank was very engaging. The information provided was so relevant in the media-dominated society
in which we live."
" Mr. Baker is very knowledgeable and captivates the audience with his presentation."
Understanding Political Advertising: SC Social Studies Conference, Myrtle Beach SC (10/05/07)
"Frank always provides insightful approaches to using media as a resource to improve instruction in a
meaningful way."
"This workshop is extremely valuable. It is up-to-date and relevant to the modern class."
"Frank always leaves me with valuable resources, tools and ideas to use immediately in my class."
Reading Film: A Close Up Look at Point Of View-- Making Sense of the Multiple Roles of Coaches, Columbia SC ( 9/20/07)
" This is an awesome opportunity for teachers to really engage students in a very different way!"
" The value of this workshop links film/media to capturing students' interest and keeping their attention.
Learning is embedded--and engaging."
" I can hardly wait to implement the point of view idea!"
Political advertising & media literacy, Social studies professional development, Murrells Inlet SC (8/20/07)
"excellent for critical thinking skills"
"very well organized, very informative, very entertaining. I would recommend Frank Baker highly"
" very informative, real world knowledge that students will be interested in and become fully engaged"
Teaching Critical Thinking With Media, ELA professional development, Myrtle Beach HS, Myrtle Beach SC (8/20/07)
"excellent presentation: he infuses humor with practical and necessary tips for incorporating media literacy into the classroom"
"important to know how images are created and the 'language of film' as its own form of communication"
"at first I was worried about the topic being over my head, but it wasn’t. I learned things I could immediately take back and use with my students the first week of school"
Media Literacy Across the Curriculum, Bishop Lynch High School, Dallas TX ( 8/16/07)
" entertaining, enlightening, surprising and relevant to all teachers of all subjects"
"your presentation was lively and relevant! Every department received specific ideas for inclusion of
media literacy in their content area. Media literacy is crucial for our students and ourselves!"
Using the Broadcasts of Edward R Murrow in The Classroom, National Media Ed Conference, St. Louis MO (6/24/07)
"hugely and effortlessly informative..seamless connected past to present in scholarly and compelling ways."
"the use of audio clips as primary sources was inspiring"
"provided an informative presentation with opportunities for questions and discussions about the material...I
was engaged and intrigued by his presentation."
Summer Writing Institute, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC (6/13/07)
(Note: this was a day-long interactive, hands-on session, designed to demonstrate how media are all about writing)
"Frank has made me aware of ways to think about and analyze different types of media."
"..I was given a number of tools, resources, and motivation to incorporate this into my teaching."
" A great workshop for upper elementary and middle school students; uses a variety of media that interest
these age groups to incorporate writing."
"..engaging material that helps teachers address various standards."
"...debunks the mysteries of how to translate media literacy to a sizable portion with hands-on appeal."
"..opened my eyes to perspectives that students would not think about during exposure to multi-media."
The Center of Excellence for Adolescent Literacy and Learning, Spring 2007 Conference, Clemson University (4/28/07)
"This workshop was valuable in adding additional concepts and/or techniques to my instructional material."
"This is the best idea since copy machines replaced mimeograph! What a gift to give your students."
"This workshop successfully gives effective strategies to teach students the relevance, successes and
pitfalls of media."
"This presentation will help me generate new ideas. Thanks!"
" Media literacy is so much more concrete to me now--it's not just TV/videos anymore."
Media, Techniques & Writing: Ridge Spring Monetta ES/MS (4/11/07)
"Frank provided hands-on examples of actual activities I could use in my classroom."
"Mr. Baker's knowledge and willingness to share was exemplary!"
"...valuable information & resources for teachers..."
Teacher Tech Day, SC ETV, Columbia SC (3/13-16/07)
"It's not fair not to teach our kids how to think about the media and its impact on them."
" Your presentation was very informative with information I will use in my classroom tomorrow."
" Frank does an excellent job of providing information that is normally confusing for digital immigrants.
His ideas and techniques can be implemented the next day in your classroom."
South Carolina Assn of School Librarians/Pre Conference Workshop, Columbia SC (3/7/07)
" a wonderful overview of what media literacy means to our school and our students"
" informative and thought-provoking"
"Frank has inspired me to integrate media literacy into the curriculum."
" This has really opened my eyes about what media literacy is all about. I can't wait to get started
using more media literacy-based lessons."
SC Middle School Conference, Myrtle Beach SC (3/3/07)
"Frank Baker does a wonderful job opening our eyes to the messages of the media. These
messages are important for our students to understand and know how to produce."
"his information is very organized and user-friendly."
Professional development day, Dent Middle School, Columbia SC (2/16/07)
"our standards include educating students using non-print text, and now I know
what it means and have a foundation for doing it."
"the examples on the website make the information user friendly, something that
can be immediately integrated."
Workshop: Chestnut Oaks Middle School, Sumter SC (2/8/07)
"In an age where students are glued to media outlets (often multiple media outlets at the same time)
it is so important for teachers to know how to educate our students about the affects of media.
This fantastic seminar not only teaches educators about how to make students more aware of
what they are hearing and seeing, but also teaches how we can use this media, which students
put such a high value on, as a tool in the classroom. I left the seminar with my mind reeling
with ways to energize my students through deconstructing and creating media."
Sarah Summers, ELA teacher
SC Council for Teachers of English Annual Conference, Kiawah Island SC (1/26/07)
"The Internet is this century's 'Wild, Wild West' There is no sheriff. Students need
the critical skills to evaluate what they read/view."
"Students thirst for learning beyond what is traditional. Media literacy can promote
engagement with the potential to maximize student learning. It's fun but relevant."
Media Literacy: Workshop for Allendale-Fairfax HS, SC (1/23/07)
"Frank has made me look at non-print material in an analytical manner that
made the power and relevance of media come to life for me and my students"
SC Writing Improvement Network: Workshop on POV & Perspective in Film (1/17/07)
"media literacy is the future of education"
Best Practice Workshops, SC State Department of Education, Dec.6-7, 2006
"getting students the information they need to understand media....is critical to our future
as a society"
"priceless and timeless approach to thinking"
"Baker's calm and objective presentation provides crucial information regarding
the deconstruction of text."
"useful strategies and new perspectives on media and its possibilities"
"Frank is always informative and direct. He gets your attention about media literacy
because he lets you experience it for yourself."
"his presentations are teacher-friendly with very applicable hands-on activities.."
Professional development day, Revere, Ohio, November 22, 2006
"wonderful, articulate speaker, full of excellent real life examples that will help
propel your curriculum into the current world where media influences all."
from National Middle Schools Conference, Nashville TN, November 2, 2006
"excellent and inspiring."
"I loved critiquing the videos.....great ideas and resources"
"Frank's workshop has enlightened me to the value and relevance of using film and media in the classroom"
"This workshop helped jumpstart my brainstorming for getting more media literacy in my school.
"The ideas presented here today opened up doors and ideas I had not thought about before."
"This presentation has rejuvenated me. I am looking forward to going back to school and waking my students
minds with media!"
"This is exactly the information I need to continue on with my quest for National Board Certification."
OELMA (School Media Specialists) Annual Conference, Columbus OH October 12, 2006
"This is a valuable tool that students need to learn!"
"His presentation gave me the incentive to carry on and to do more with media."
"This hour was full of ideas to use media that students gravitate to, to connect content. Thanks!"
"he gave me great ideas and resources to take back to my staff."