What is Media Literacy?

2. The ability to access, analyze, create, evaluate and act using all forms of communication. What is Media Literacy? The purpose of media literacy education is to help individuals of all ages develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression that they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens in today’s world.

3. …with all media texts available in the 21st century It’s an expanded concept of literacy.

4. NAMLE Vision Our Vision To help individuals of all ages develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression that they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens in today’s world.

5. The Core Principles of Media Literacy Education 1. Media Literacy Education requires active inquiry and critical thinking about the messages we receive and create. 2. Media Literacy Education expands the concept of literacy (i.e., reading and writing) to include all forms of media. 3. Media Literacy Education builds and reinforces skills for learners of all ages. Like print literacy, those skills necessitate integrated, interactive, and repeated practice. 4. Media Literacy Education develops informed, reflective and engaged participants essential for a democratic society. 5. Media Literacy Education recognizes that media are a part of culture and function as agents of socialization. 6. Media Literacy Education affirms that people use their individual skills, beliefs and experiences to construct their own meanings from media messages.

6. Media Literacy Themes Purpose Economics Impact Response Audiences and Authorship Representations & Reality Content Credibility Content Techniques Interpretations Meaning & Messages

8. IMPACT “Media literacy changes the way I look at everything, not just TV, computer, iPod; it changes the way my eyes work. It teaches me how to learn.” (G.Shapiro, High School Student, Ithaca, NY)

9. The BIG question:What is the state of media literacy education in the United States?

10. Different Models of Media Literacy Education Extraordinary work being done all over the country to advance Media Literacy Education • In the K-12 Classroom by classroom teacher • In the K-12 Classroom by technology/media specialist • In the K-12 Classroom by outside organization • Afterschool programs • Camps • In the higher education space – research and scholarship

11. Challenges of MLE in the U.S. • Relies on passionate teacher or school leader • People self select themselves to be media literacy educators • No one model • Minimal state standards (ie. Virginia) • No national standards • No specific educational mandate • New literacies movement

12. Progress • Common Core Standards • Legislation/Advocacy • National Media Arts Standards • Growth in scholarship and research • Growing recognition that technology without professional development is costly • Increased overlap with global work in MLE

13. MLE in Practice PROFILE 1 Project Look Sharp Ithaca, NY

14. MLE in Practice PROFILE 2 The LAMP NY, NY

15. MLE in Practice PROFILE 3 The Media Spot Brooklyn, NY

16. Film Education Organizations Big Picture Instructional Design Los Angeles, CA

17. Film Education Organizations Tribeca Film Institute NY, NY

18. Film Education Organizations San Francisco Film Society San Francisco, CA

19. Global Media Literacy Education Movement

22. Q&A and Discussion

23. Please stay in touch! Michelle Ciulla Lipkin Executive Director mciullalipkin@namle.net