ClassX Video Lessons Fandom Forward: Media Literacy Activities That Peel Back the Layers of Pop Culture
Welcome to an exciting exploration of media literacy through the lens of pop culture! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating resource called Fandom Forward, a platform that encourages fans of various media properties to engage in political activism and social issues. Originally known as the Harry Potter Alliance, Fandom Forward has expanded to include a wide range of fandoms, from Doctor Who to Black Panther, and even popular podcasts like Welcome to Night Vale.
Fandom Forward is a unique initiative that brings fans together to advocate for political and social causes related to their favorite media properties. It provides a space for fans to connect and take action on issues that matter to them, such as racial justice, mental health awareness, and more. The platform is particularly geared towards high school students, college students, and adults who are passionate about using their fandoms for good.
Incorporating political discussions in the classroom can be challenging, especially when they touch on social and cultural issues. Fandom Forward offers a range of resources that can help educators navigate these discussions. While the platform leans towards a progressive viewpoint, it provides a wealth of materials that can be curated to create a balanced learning experience.
One of the standout features of Fandom Forward is its collection of toolkits. These resources are designed to help students connect their interests with real-world actions. For example, the Avatar: The Last Airbender toolkit includes activities and discussion points on topics like book banning and mental health. Each toolkit comes with facilitator tips, action steps, and recommended readings to deepen students’ understanding of the themes.
The Black Panther toolkit, for instance, delves into themes of racial justice and colonialism. It offers comprehensive information and resources that can enhance existing curricula, making it a valuable tool for educators looking to engage students in meaningful discussions.
While Fandom Forward is a fantastic resource, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The toolkits are created by fans, not scholars, which might limit the depth of some topics. Additionally, presenting a more neutral perspective could make these resources more accessible to a wider range of schools.
Overall, Fandom Forward is a free and innovative resource that offers educators a creative way to incorporate media literacy and social activism into their classrooms. Even if it doesn’t perfectly fit your school’s needs, it’s worth exploring for inspiration and ideas. For more educational tools and resources, be sure to visit commonsense.org/education.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through Fandom Forward. We hope you find it as exciting and inspiring as we do!
Choose a toolkit from Fandom Forward, such as the Black Panther or Avatar: The Last Airbender toolkit. Work in groups to analyze the themes and issues presented. Discuss how these themes relate to current social or political issues. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how pop culture can be a lens for understanding real-world problems.
Identify a social or political issue you are passionate about. Using inspiration from your favorite fandom, design a campaign that raises awareness or proposes solutions to this issue. Consider creating posters, social media posts, or a short video. Share your campaign with the class and discuss the impact fandoms can have on social activism.
Participate in a class debate on the influence of fandoms in political and social activism. Divide into two groups: one arguing that fandoms are effective tools for change, and the other questioning their impact. Use examples from Fandom Forward and other resources to support your arguments. Reflect on the debate and write a short essay on your personal stance.
Design a workshop for younger students or peers that introduces the concept of media literacy through pop culture. Use examples from Fandom Forward to illustrate how media can influence perceptions and actions. Include interactive activities that encourage critical thinking and discussion. Present your workshop plan to the class for feedback.
Keep a journal over the course of this unit where you reflect on your learning experiences with Fandom Forward. Write about how your understanding of media literacy and social activism has evolved. Consider how you can apply these insights to your own media consumption and participation in fandoms. Share selected entries with the class to foster a deeper discussion.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hello, everybody! Welcome back. I’m Bianca, and this is Tanner. We are Common Sense Editors, and we’re really excited to explore a new tool with you today. We do this every Tuesday, so make sure to check out our other videos. You can always visit us at commonsense.org/education, where we have a ton of resources and reviews for you.
Today, Tanner has a new tool for us. What is it?
Yes, you can check out this review right here on commonsense.org/education for a site called Fandom Forward. This used to be called the Harry Potter Alliance, and they rebranded to be inclusive of various fandoms. We rated this three stars. It may not be for everyone, and it’s definitely targeted more at high school students, possibly even college students and adults.
Fandom Forward started as a way for Harry Potter fans to come together and advocate for political issues that matter to them. It has now expanded to include various fandoms, allowing fans of properties like Doctor Who, Black Panther, and even podcasts like Welcome to Night Vale to engage in political activism around causes related to those media properties.
That said, we know that discussing politics in classrooms can be tricky, especially when it intersects with social and cultural issues. Fandom Forward is quite direct about its political stance, which leans towards a progressive viewpoint. Some resources may raise concerns within certain school communities, but we believe it can provide a good set of resources for teachers to curate a balanced learning experience.
Let’s look at the first resource, which is an Avatar: The Last Airbender toolkit. The site offers various resources that focus on connecting with others who share these interests and engaging in real-world actions, such as advocating against book banning or promoting mental health awareness. The resources section is particularly relevant for educators, featuring PDF toolkits that cover different subjects.
Each toolkit follows a similar format, including facilitator tips and discussion points. They also provide action steps for students interested in political issues, along with recommended readings and media excerpts to explore themes in depth. The reading level is quite high, so it may be best suited for advanced students or require some differentiation.
For example, the Black Panther toolkit focuses on themes like racial justice and colonialism. It provides in-depth information and resources that can enhance existing curricula. While the content is high-level, it can be very impactful for the right group of students.
As a point of criticism, there may be ways to make these resources more accessible to schools by presenting a more neutral perspective. Additionally, the toolkits are created by fans rather than scholars, which may limit the depth of some topics.
Overall, Fandom Forward is a unique resource that offers a great starting point for educators. And the best part? It’s free for everyone to access.
Thanks, Tanner! It looks like a fantastic resource that allows for creative adaptation in the classroom. There’s a lot of potential here, and even if you think it might not fit your school’s needs, it’s worth exploring for inspiration.
You can check out more tools like this at commonsense.org/education and stay tuned for more reviews from our team. Thanks for joining us!
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This version maintains the core information while removing informal language and filler phrases.
Fandom – A community of enthusiasts and supporters of a particular media franchise, often engaging in activities such as fan fiction, fan art, and conventions. – The Harry Potter fandom has played a significant role in promoting literacy and encouraging young readers to explore complex narratives.
Media – Various channels of communication, such as television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, used to disseminate information to the public. – Understanding the influence of media on public opinion is crucial for students studying social studies and communication.
Literacy – The ability to read and write, as well as the competence to understand and critically evaluate information in various forms. – Media literacy is an essential skill for students to navigate the vast amount of information available online.
Education – The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits, typically in a structured environment like schools. – Education systems around the world are adapting to incorporate digital tools and resources to enhance learning experiences.
Activism – The policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. – Student activism has historically been a powerful force in advocating for social justice and policy reforms.
Social – Relating to society or its organization, often involving the interaction of individuals within a community. – Social networks have transformed the way students engage with each other and access educational content.
Justice – The quality of being fair and reasonable, often in the context of legal and social systems ensuring equitable treatment for all. – The pursuit of social justice is a central theme in many educational curricula, encouraging students to think critically about inequality.
Resources – Materials, tools, and assets that can be used to support learning and development in educational settings. – Teachers often seek out diverse resources to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of historical events.
Students – Individuals who are engaged in learning, typically within an educational institution, and are the primary focus of teaching efforts. – High school students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to enhance their educational experience.
Culture – The shared beliefs, customs, arts, and institutions of a group of people, often passed down from generation to generation. – Understanding different cultures is an important aspect of social studies, helping students appreciate global diversity.
