My name is Barbara Hughes, and I serve as the Regional Education Program Manager for the DC Metro area. Today, I’m joined by two esteemed colleagues, Roger Galloway and Sarah Elwell, to explore the topic of media literacy amidst the surge in media consumption.
Roger, could you introduce yourself and your organization?
Hello! I’m Roger Galloway, currently working at Maury School. Over the past 16 years, I’ve been involved with public charter schools, public schools, and now an independent school in DC. Maury School, founded in 1911, is a collective independent school with about 650 students and 100 faculty members.
Thank you, Roger! Sarah, could you tell us about yourself and your organization?
Hi, I’m Sarah Elwell, the Professional Development Coordinator with the Washington Teachers Union in Washington, DC. Previously, I spent 19 years as an English teacher and secondary librarian. Our union represents around 5,000 educators across 116 public schools, serving approximately 50,000 students from pre-K through 12th grade. Notably, 75% of our students face economic challenges, and 15% are English language learners.
Thank you both for joining us! How are things at your schools, and what are the growth areas for the future?
We’ve transitioned rapidly from in-person to virtual learning. Our educators and students have varying tech skills, and we’ve adopted platforms like Microsoft Teams for distance learning. Challenges include the digital divide, social-emotional support, and accommodations for special needs and English language learners. Sustained professional development is crucial for our educators.
Roger, what about your experience?
We’ve also adapted quickly, implementing a two-phase learning plan. Connectivity issues are a challenge, especially with multiple users in a household. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is vital to maintaining positive school community relationships. Professional development is key to supporting teachers in creating authentic online learning experiences.
Recent studies show 8 out of 10 teens are closely following news about the coronavirus pandemic, often feeling anxious and encountering mixed information. How can we educate our communities to be informed without being overwhelmed?
Media literacy involves identifying different media types and understanding their messages. We must help students critically evaluate information. The CRAAP test—Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authority, and Purpose—is a useful tool for assessing source credibility. Websites like AllSides offer diverse perspectives on issues.
Roger, any additional tips?
We also use the CRAAP test and focus on content curation. Collaboration among teachers and librarians is essential for effective research management. Resources like NoodleTools and OverDrive are invaluable. Partnering with public libraries can supplement school resources.
What lesson plans help students navigate the influx of information?
I’ve worked with middle school teachers on projects like the American Experience Project, where students conduct oral histories. Platforms like Flipgrid enhance presentations. Collaboration between core teachers and librarians is beneficial.
Sarah, any standout lessons?
Innovative lessons abound. A middle school social studies teacher is conducting a tribunal on pandemic responsibility, engaging students in current events. Another lesson addresses COVID-19’s impact on marginalized communities, highlighting social justice issues. Visual literacy lessons encourage critical image analysis.
How can we integrate SEL with media literacy to manage expectations and reduce stress?
Incorporating SEL into media literacy discussions is crucial. We have Wellness Wednesdays for educators, focusing on gratitude journaling, which can be adapted for students. Activities like creating virtual cards for first responders foster community and gratitude.
Roger, can you elaborate on coping calendars?
Coping calendars offer activities for families or students, promoting community service and self-care practices like meditation and good sleep hygiene. Supporting diverse learning styles in virtual environments is essential.
How can we encourage students to be conscious creators as well as consumers of media?
We’ve discussed virtual making events, like the “I Love Libraries” event, encouraging families to creatively express their love for libraries. We plan to share these creations on social media.
Sarah, how can we encourage media creation among students?
There are numerous ways! A high school in Montgomery County transitioned from a paper newspaper to broadcasting news. A middle school communications class produces televised lessons, and art classes use household items for creative challenges. Platforms like Adobe Spark and Canva empower students to create and share their work.
As we conclude, what is a key takeaway you’d like to share?
Focus on student-centered teaching. With standardized testing pressures lifted, we can teach what truly matters.
Roger, your takeaway?
Media literacy is interconnected with other literacies. Collaboration across disciplines provides a comprehensive learning experience.
How can librarians make themselves a viable part of the school community?
Advocating for librarians’ roles is vital. If you don’t have a seat at the table, find ways to make your presence known. Collaborate with teachers and share resources to demonstrate librarians’ value.
Thank you all for joining us today! This session will be recorded, and resources will be available on Common Sense’s YouTube channel. Have a great day!
Engage in a hands-on workshop where you will apply the CRAAP test to evaluate the credibility of various media sources. This activity will help you develop critical thinking skills necessary for discerning reliable information in today’s media landscape.
Work in small groups to create a multimedia presentation on a current event. Use platforms like Adobe Spark or Canva to design your project, and present it to your peers. This will enhance your media creation skills and encourage teamwork.
Join a virtual debate on a topic related to media literacy, such as the impact of social media on public opinion. This will help you practice articulating your thoughts and understanding diverse perspectives.
Create a plan to manage your media diet effectively. Identify the types of media you consume, set goals for balanced consumption, and reflect on how different media sources affect your emotions and opinions.
Participate in a Wellness Wednesday session focused on gratitude journaling. This activity will help you integrate social-emotional learning with media literacy, promoting mindfulness and stress reduction.
**Welcome to Distance Learning with Common Sense**
My name is Barbara Hughes, and I am the Regional Education Program Manager for the DC Metro area. I have two friends joining us today: Roger Galloway and Sarah Elwell. We will be discussing media literacy during a time of increased media consumption.
**Introduction of Guests**
Roger, can you tell us a little about yourself and the organization you represent?
Good afternoon! My name is Roger Galloway, and I currently work at Maury School. Over the past 16 years, I have worked in public charter schools, public schools, and now an independent school in DC. My school, Maury, is a collective independent school with about 650 students. We were founded in 1911 and currently have around 100 faculty members.
Thank you! Sarah, could you share a bit about yourself and your organization?
Hi, I’m Sarah Elwell, the Professional Development Coordinator with the Washington Teachers Union here in Washington, DC. For the past 19 years, I was an English teacher and a secondary librarian. In my current role, we represent approximately 5,000 educators across 116 public schools, serving around 50,000 students from pre-K through 12th grade. About 75% of our students are economically disadvantaged, and 15% are categorized as English language learners.
**Current Challenges and Growth Areas**
Thank you both for joining us today! Before we dive in, how are you feeling, and what’s happening in your schools currently? Are there areas of growth for the future?
I can start. Like many of you, we had to make a rapid shift from in-person learning to virtual platforms. Our educators and students have varying levels of technology skills, and we’ve migrated everything to distance learning platforms. Our approved platforms include Microsoft Teams and our learning management system. However, we are facing challenges such as the digital divide, social-emotional support for our community, and ensuring accommodations for special needs students and English language learners. It’s crucial that we support our educators with sustained and personalized professional development.
Roger, would you like to share your experience?
Absolutely! We also had to quickly adapt to the new educational landscape. We have a continuation of learning plan that we rolled out in two phases. One challenge we face is connectivity issues, especially when multiple people in a household are trying to access the internet simultaneously. The social-emotional learning (SEL) component is also vital, as we strive to maintain positive relationships within our school community. Professional development is essential, as teachers seek support for planning authentic learning experiences in the online environment.
**Media Literacy Education**
In a recent study, Common Sense found that 8 out of 10 teens are closely following news about the coronavirus pandemic. Many are feeling anxious and encountering a mix of true and false information. How can we educate our school communities to be informed without feeling overwhelmed?
Let’s start by defining media literacy. Common Sense defines it as the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they convey. We need to meet students where they are and help them think critically about the information they consume. One useful tool is the CRAAP test, which stands for Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authority, and Purpose. This helps students evaluate the credibility of sources. Additionally, websites like AllSides can help them see different perspectives on the same issue.
Roger, do you have any additional tips?
Yes! We also use the CRAAP test, but I focus on curating content. I encourage collaboration among teachers and librarians to manage research effectively. We utilize resources like NoodleTools for research management and OverDrive for eBooks. If schools lack resources, collaborating with public libraries can bridge the gap.
**Lesson Plans for Media Literacy**
What specific lesson plans have you seen that help students navigate this influx of information?
I’ve been collaborating with middle school teachers on projects like the American Experience Project, where students conduct oral histories. We’re also using platforms like Flipgrid for presentations. It’s great to see collaboration between core teachers and librarians.
Sarah, what lessons have you encountered that stand out?
There are many innovative lessons happening. One middle school social studies teacher is conducting a tribunal to determine who is at fault for the pandemic, engaging students in current events. Another lesson focuses on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities, which is a pressing social justice issue. We also have visual literacy lessons that encourage students to analyze images critically.
**Social-Emotional Learning and Media Literacy**
How can we integrate social-emotional learning with media literacy to manage expectations and reduce stress?
It’s crucial to incorporate SEL into media literacy discussions. For example, we have a series called Wellness Wednesdays for educators, where we focus on gratitude journaling. This can also be adapted for students to reflect on their feelings during this time. Activities like creating virtual cards for first responders can foster a sense of community and gratitude.
Roger, you mentioned coping calendars. Can you elaborate on those?
Coping calendars include various activities for families or students to engage in together. They promote community service and self-care practices like meditation and good sleep hygiene. It’s important to remember that students learn differently in virtual environments, and we need to support them accordingly.
**Encouraging Media Creation**
How can we encourage students to be conscious creators as well as consumers of media?
I’ve been discussing virtual making events with students and faculty. We recently launched an “I Love Libraries” event, encouraging families to create representations of their love for libraries using whatever materials they have at home. We plan to share these creations on social media.
Sarah, what are some ways to encourage media creation among students?
There are many ways! For instance, a high school in Montgomery County transitioned from a paper newspaper to broadcasting news to the school community. A middle school communications class is producing televised lessons, and art classes are using household items for creative challenges. Platforms like Adobe Spark and Canva can empower students to create and share their work.
**Final Takeaways**
As we wrap up, what is a top takeaway you’d like to share?
One key takeaway is to focus on student-centered teaching. With the pressure of standardized testing lifted, we have the opportunity to teach what truly matters.
Roger, what’s your takeaway?
Media literacy is interconnected with other literacies. It’s essential to collaborate across disciplines to provide a comprehensive learning experience for students.
**Audience Questions**
We have a question from the audience about how librarians can make themselves a viable part of the school community.
In my experience, it’s important to advocate for the role of librarians. If you don’t have a seat at the table, find ways to make your presence known. Collaborate with teachers and share resources to demonstrate the value of what librarians offer.
Thank you all for joining us today! This session will be recorded, and the resources shared will be available on Common Sense’s YouTube channel. Have a great rest of your day!
Media Literacy – The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms. – In today’s digital age, media literacy is essential for students to critically evaluate the information they encounter online.
Professional Development – Ongoing training and education to improve skills and knowledge in one’s professional field. – Attending workshops and conferences is a crucial part of professional development for educators seeking to enhance their teaching strategies.
Social-Emotional Learning – The process of developing self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success. – Incorporating social-emotional learning into the curriculum helps students manage their emotions and build positive relationships.
Digital Divide – The gap between those who have easy access to digital technology and those who do not. – Addressing the digital divide is crucial to ensure all students have equal opportunities to benefit from online educational resources.
Critical Evaluation – The process of systematically examining information to judge its credibility, accuracy, and value. – Teaching students critical evaluation skills is essential for them to discern reliable sources from misinformation.
Source Credibility – The trustworthiness and reliability of a source of information. – Evaluating source credibility is a key component of media literacy, helping students identify trustworthy information.
Content Curation – The process of gathering, organizing, and presenting information relevant to a particular topic or area of interest. – Effective content curation can enhance the learning experience by providing students with a well-rounded perspective on a subject.
Collaboration – The action of working with others to achieve a common goal, often involving sharing ideas and resources. – Collaboration among students fosters a deeper understanding of the material and enhances problem-solving skills.
Innovative Lessons – Creative and effective teaching strategies that engage students and enhance learning outcomes. – Teachers are encouraged to design innovative lessons that incorporate technology and interactive activities to captivate students’ interest.
Student-Centered Teaching – An educational approach that focuses on the needs, abilities, interests, and learning styles of students. – Student-centered teaching empowers learners by giving them a voice in their education and encouraging active participation.
