Media Literacy Verses Critical Thinking - Same Theoretical Base with Different Applications and Outcomes

Many teachers have interactive whiteboards and many teachers don't. Available computer labs hardware and software vary from school district to school district across the globe. Add to that the fact that new technology is being developed faster than any school system can anticipate it begs the question how do you design an open ended curriculum/program based on a model that supports rapid change?

Currently, I'm in an graduate level Intro to Cinema Studies class with a strong focus on applied cinema theory.  The text the professor selected for the class had to be an overview of the wide variety of theories starting from around the 1920's to the present - classifying and clarifying the ideologies or rather multiple critical theoretical models representing the body of work done on all aspects of cinema.

The novel organization of the text, Film Theory an introduction through the senses by Thomas Elsaesser and Malte Hagener relates what happens on the screen to an imaginary spectator and then bridges understanding the relationship created between the film and the mind and body of the viewer.

I think this model works in teaching.  Your students are spectators and you are transmitting knowledge using tools and techniques to reach all of their senses in many ways.  You can measure your effectiveness as a teacher by designing lessons that guide students in using critical thinking skills. Students need to be able to make sense of the multiple sensory messages they receive many hours every day.

Critical thinking skills help students determine main ideas, supporting details, fact verses opinion, the variety and reliability of source material, the importance of primary source material and obvious bias and these skills are the same skills that aid students in deconstructing the meaning of various media. Conversely, you should plan assignments that require students use these same organizational principals in presenting their findings.

However, one of the most important literacy skills students need to obtain is understanding how easy it is to manipulate what they see, hear, read and believe.  Technology has advanced so that what we view is not reality.  For a teachable moment use the DVR:  Life  of Pi and show the technical portion where we learn the secrets behind the CGI screen.  Students will see how technology was instrumental in creating every aspect of this beautiful narrative. When they learn the truth is not strictly reliable until checked through multiple sources and perspectives, then they will be truly media literate.

Topics I Care About - You Should Too! Too Much Technology - Students Need To Understand the Pros and Cons

Two local high schools have initiatives involving handing out tablets to either all of the students, Manassas Park or just the ninth and tenth graders in Osbourn High School in Manassas, Virginia.  I am a proponent of a solid use of technology and have presented my followers with links to two programs that I think give students the skills they need while keeping them clear of the social media mainstream.


Some of my favorite books and why: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury because it paints a picture of a technological future where books are burned because they offended minorities or special interest groups and soon began to all sound the same.  People are all "happy" and entertained by wall-sized television sets and listen to music on Seashell Radio sets attached to their ears except that Mildred, Montag's wife attempts suicide and turns him in to the authorities.

This book can help students understand the possible isolation and "sameness" created by social media. When students understand that this book was written in 1953, it makes it even more compelling.

The Giver by Lois Lowry is a book about the future where all pain, war, fear and basically critical decision making has been eliminated. Jonas must take on the role of the Giver and hold all the memories for the society and he becomes convinced that there is a world beyond the "bubble" of safety and eugenics that is "Giverland". Technology has "fixed" this world so that everything is shades of gray.  Emotions are harmful.

This is why STEM without a solid literature and English program to provide students with critical thinking skills about the limits and problems a technologically "wonderful" society might produce troubles me. Friday, I had to have my hair cut very short because I won't have use of my right arm/hand until the surgeon clears me to move my arm after the rotator cuff surgery and I noticed a 3-year-old girl playing on her phone.  In fact, almost no one in the salon was interacting with each other (parent/child) they were all on some electronic device.

We love our children! So read to them.  The other day while I was in the ER for four hours with my mom, I read aloud to her as she had read aloud to me and I had read aloud to my daughter.  I also made up stories for my daughter to pass the time. Talk to them about big issues - ask them questions and listen.  This is what I do with my 28-year-old daughter now when we go on play dates.