EDUC 6810 Weekly Reading #6

1.What instructional moves (i.e. group formation, topic selection, scaffolding the process, assessment) did the teacher use that you might replicate in your own teaching practices that involve critical media literacy?

 

I really like the idea of brainstorming a list of topics and then letting the students choose which topic they would like to do.  I like that the students have a choice, instead of the teacher assigning topics.  I would like to try this in my classroom.

2. What do you think about the student created PSA? Did it seem creative? Do you think it could serve as a legitimate assessment of writing ability? Do you think the topic would be appropriate for school? What if the students chose a pro-choice stance? 

 

I thought is was well done and creative.  I liked the angle of using the grown up child.  I think it is a legitimate writing assignment, because they wrote and edited the script.  I think the topic would be appropriate for high school students, because teen pregnancy is an issue.  If the students wanted to choose a pro-choice stance, they should be allowed because it is important to look at an issue from both sides.

3. Do you share the researcher's concerns that the student created PSA reproduced dominant or mainstream media representations of girls and social class? Why or Why not? 

 

I do think it may have been more powerful to portray a girl of a high social class as the one struggling with the choice.  I think it would have shown that teen pregnancy can happen to anyone, no matter what kind of family they come from.  Having money doesn't mean you make good choices.

4. What concerns do you have about engaging students in critical media literacy? 

 

My concern is that I teach 4th grade.  The topics they were discussing for their PSAs were more for older students.  I would like to find topics that would be appropriate for my students.

5.  What topics might you use for a PSA that would  that would help you meet your curriculum goals and content standards?

 

I teach reading and social studies, so I would like to do something with current events.

6. How would you implement the construction of a PSA in your own classroom to include aspects of critical media literacy?

 

I would look have my students look at newspapers and new stories (that I have pre approved) that deal with current events.  I would also like to tie that in with stories we are reading in class.

 

Source

 

Alvila J and Pandya J.  (2013)  Critical Digital Literacies as Social Praxis.  Vol. 64. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.