I think it is a fantastic idea. Especially if you can inspire students to learn to love reading and storytelling through other mediums. English Language Arts is based around themes and ideas and the power to express them. Media is a major form of expressing these things and students need to know how to navigate and work in the media world to promote their ideas. The better our students are educated, the better these tools can be used for good purposes in the world. In the meantime, students may discover that media is still based in strong reading, writing, and analytical skills that they can gain by participating in class and being well read throughout their lives.
How comfortable are you with media literacy? Why?
I'm very comfortable with the idea of it. I've grown up in love with computers and their powers. I like using a computer and I love the multimedia nature of our world. I fully embrace the power to communicate with pictures, sounds, and words. I think our understanding is greatly enhanced when we are learning through all the senses. I have been comfortable using the computer since a very young age and therefor find no qualms personally about using it with students. However, I recognize that there will be challenges. Not all students will have access to the tools I'd like to think they would have (some may not even have computers). Some students will be computer illiterate and would have a steep learning curve to accomplish some tasks. And I may find resistance from parents- but I am very comfortable with communication and know that my work will all fit into the curriculum in ways which I can share with the parent. I can also explain the pros and cons of promoting media literacy in the classroom and in the world.
One idea that intrigues you:
I love NPR. I grew up listening to it in my Dad's car or on long vacations we would spend at least an hour or two a day listening to something on NPR. From NPR I learned to love the power of good oral presentation. I am very interested in using clips from NPR to first inspire my students to want to learn more about the world around them and secondly as a model for podcasts. I once did a podcast for a teacher and it was a lot of fun. Apple's Garageband makes creating and recording a podcast very simple and accessible I think to my students. Besides it is also something that I could easily have the materials to do in the classroom.
I love NPR. I grew up listening to it in my Dad's car or on long vacations we would spend at least an hour or two a day listening to something on NPR. From NPR I learned to love the power of good oral presentation. I am very interested in using clips from NPR to first inspire my students to want to learn more about the world around them and secondly as a model for podcasts. I once did a podcast for a teacher and it was a lot of fun. Apple's Garageband makes creating and recording a podcast very simple and accessible I think to my students. Besides it is also something that I could easily have the materials to do in the classroom.
What a thoughtful post, Mark. I appreciated reading the details of your activity with what are called "the New Literacies." It still amazes me how many of my English teaching majors try to sidestep learning to be really comfortable with technology as that is what we are expected to work with in many of the schools.
ReplyDeleteLoved your reference to NPR. I cut my eye teeth on programs like this and constantly am impressed with the ideas that are put forth. I am a geek--I enjoy highbrow talk radio.
So much to learn from your expertise. I know that the schools will so appreciate your willingness to jump in and be a leader/learner in this area. Do you follow blogs like Jim Burke, Sarah Rader, and the Eng Ning group: Teaching with Technology? http://englishcompanion.ning.com/group/teachingwithtechnology