Incorporating Media Literacy into the Classroom
For a number of years, the conversation on media literacy and incorporating multimedia into the classroom has continued. Over time, yes, we have made some advances in implementation. However, there are number of instances and settings where individuals (educators) are working against it. I had a conversation with a teacher today who stated, “I think technology should be banned from school. We need to go back to only using print material.” Well, the image above describes my exact mood after hearing that. It is impossible for us to not include technology in the classroom and we all have to learn to embrace that. Choosing to not incorporate technology into the classroom is choosing to not meet our students where they are or create a learning environment that is more engaging for them. This is not okay. We have to be willing to engage students in ways in which they enjoy and the incorporation of multimedia is one of those ways.
“We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher’s hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world.”
David Warlick
One of the main reasons educators do not include multimedia into their classroom is because they don’t see the value in it or seek out ways for implementation. In the article, “12 Basic Ways to Integrate Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Into Any Classroom”, Scheibe and Rogow share different methods to consider when seeking to integrate media literacy into the classroom. Of the 12 reasons shared, I consider using media as a standard pedagogical tool as one of the most integral points raised. Educators (not all) often make excuses about incorporating technology into their lessons. If more educators were more intentional about getting into the routine of creating lessons and instruction that involved technology, the habit will continue. Scheibe and Rogow informs us that we can, “use media as a standard pedagogical tool by using diverse media, especially in cases where image-based media can convey information more richly and effectively than would be possible with a standard classroom discussion, demonstration, or traditional print text (e.g., a demonstration of mathematics concepts involving motion or dimension, an example of how news media presented an historical event or speech, an electronic “field trip” to an otherwise inaccessible place)” (Scheibe & Rogow, n.d.). In other words, every time we seek to include multiple forms of media, we are sure to engage our students in new ways. During my field experiences in a fourth grade classroom, I intentionally sought after opportunities to utilize media for instruction outside of print. Sometimes it was as simple as adding in a video, while other times it involved me sculpting an entire lesson where students had to utilize technology to research answers and complete more complex projects. Might it take an extra five minutes? Sure! Are our students worth the extra five minutes? Yes, and will always be! Here are some clips from the students’ perspectives.
“Classrooms don’t need tech geeks who can teach; we need teaching geeks who can use tech.”
David Geurin
What’s the bottom line?
Of course there are a number of educators who are intentionally and effectively implementing media literacy into their classrooms. This post is to charge educators who are not incorporating multimedia into their lessons to do so. We can’t deny that technology is here to help us. Excuses for implementation will no longer work. Knowing that not all educators are not making excuses for implementation, what are other reasons educators may not incorporate multimedia or media literacy into their classroom?
References
Confused Person #1478140. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2019, from http://clipart-library.com/clipart/zcX5yqAgi.htm
Scheibe, C., & Rogow, F. (n.d.). 12 Ways to Integrate Media Literacy and Critical Thinking into Any Curriculum. Retrieved from Project Look Sharp: http://www.ithaca.edu/looksharp/12BasicWays.pdf
[Talks, TEDx]. (2016, March 28). Redefining Learning & Teaching Using Technology. | Jason Brown | TEDxNorwichED [Video File]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOTEQVYDPpg.
[Talks, TEDx]. (2015, April 2). Technology in the classroom | Ethan Dickens | TEDxPascoCountySchoolsED [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gya4V_grs_o&t=1s
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