Reading and Discussion #2

Explain some of the benefits of youth filmmaking for learning in and out of school.

Youth filmmaking for learning in school is a way for students to express themselves and share with others what they might ordinarily not share because they are shy and are just not very good socially. It gives all the students a voice to tell who they are and adds a more exciting learning environment rather than having worksheets and lectures. Out of school the students are able to spend their time doing creative things at home and getting inspiration from their surrounds. Going out and doing their favorite activities while collecting materials for their films. This also gives the filmmaking process a better feel of being fun and less like homework.

Digital Storytelling and Reel Works

http://reelworks.org/videos/legend-of-christina-single-player/

1.What do you like about the digital story?

The thing I like about this digital story is that I myself can connect to what she is talking about. I myself are a gamer and in high school was in her shoes; with age I did grow out of playing games as much, but it is still a relaxing and enjoyable activity that I participate in. The communities that she is talking about in the video are real and are growing larger every year.

2.What did you learn from the digital story?

In this digital story I learned more about myself and how I used the same tools of escape and joining those virtual communities to meet with people who share the same interests. It is important to belong to a community, no matter what type; it is a support system for you and everyone needs that in their life.

3.What surprised you about the digital story?

I was surprised that she did not feel more lonely in a community dominated by males. This is not a bad surprise, but I felt like she might feel more alone in the community.

4. How did the digital story provide an example of how digital storytelling can build self esteem, help young people voice an opposition to social problems, or create an alternative to stereotypes of adolescents typically portrayed in mainstream media?

This digital story helps build self esteem by letting the student express her opinion on gaming as a community. Stating that she is not alone and that this is not just a solitary activity that means she has no life. The mainstream media does look negatively towards gaming and more positively towards more active activities like sports.

5. Do (or how do) these digital stories provide evidence of that these young people are engaged in analysis of their own culture?

This shows analysis of her culture by her ability to see what the stereotypes, why they have formed, and knocks down misconceptions that the media has made towards her culture.

6. Do (or how do) these digital stories support a healthy respect for multiculturalism and diversity?

In the gaming community it is very multicultural because it incorporates the world. There are people from all over the globe playing these games that interact on a daily basis. This is a community that thrives in multiculturalism and diversity by never excluding anyone from joining them.

Reading and Discussion #1

Consider the following excerpt:

In 1969 to be exact--educational philosopher Neil Postman delivered a speech at the National Convention for the Teachers of English frankly titled “Bullshit and the Art of Crap-Detection.” In his speech, Postman stressed the need for teachers to engage students in thinking critically about the bombardment of corporate advertisements and political plugs they faced on a daily basis, underlining the reality that virtually “all human communications have deeply embedded and profound hidden agendas,” particularly messages heavy with commercial and political ideology, which are “saturated with bullshit.” Postman told educators, “As I see it, the best things schools can do for kids is to help them learn how to distinguish useful talk from bullshit. I will ask only that you agree that every day in almost every way people are exposed to more bullshit than is healthy for them to endure, and that if we can help them to recognize this fact, they might turn away from it and toward language that might do them some earthly good.”

1. To what extent do you agree with Neil Postman?

I agree with Neil Postman fully, every day is that passes by is another day where you are surrounded by companies trying to get you to buy their product. Most of the time these ads that you are, as Neil said, “saturated with bullshit.” Teaching students to be able to see through their ploys and tactics to grasp the true meaning of the “bullshit” and make their own decisions.

2. Neil Postman delivered this speech in 1969. How do you think he might feel about "the art of crap-detection" now given recent advancements in digital technologies?

I think Neil would feel an even greater need for his “crap-detection.” The amount of ads has increased to the point where it is almost impossible to escape them. The Internet has become an almost central hub for ads, along with phone games that show them constantly.

3. Then watch this video and post your reaction to your blog. What did the video make you think about or feel? How does it support Neil Postman's concerns about "crap-detection". Then, tell us how this video effects your understanding of why it is important to teach CRITICAL media literacy and not just MEDIA literacy in-and-out of school. Support your response with three quotes from the reading.

This video made me think about how everything that we see is orchestrated for how the creators want you to see them and not how they are in reality.

This video supports Neil Postman’s concerns “crap-detection” by showing that things are not always the way they seem.

Critical media literacy would help students see what the real message behind any type of media. “Critical media literacy involves cultivating skills in analysing media codes and conventions, abilities to criticize stereotypes, dominant values, and ideologies, and competencies to interpret the multiple meanings and messages generated by media texts.” (Kellner, D., & Share, J.) Students are constantly being bombarded by the media in almost everything they encounter and have become very involved with social media which has had probably the largest impact on students on a daily basis.

Social media has become the prime source for most media and product placements. Teaching students to view this media critically can help them see through the bias and misconceptions that are they are faced with everyday. “Critical media literacy builds on (…) analysing media culture as products of social production and struggle and teaching students to be critical of media representations and discourses, but also stressing the importance of learning to use the media as modes of self-expression and social activism.” (Kellner, D., & Share, J.) This is what social media can become in instead of what is currently happening. Showing students how to take the social media and turn it into more of a way of self-expression and social activism.

It is already heading in that direction, but in the past has suffered from others scrutinising the work of others. “Critical media literacy not only teaches students to learn from media, to resist media manipulation, and to use media materials in constructive ways, but is also concerned with developing skills that will help create good citizens and that will make individuals more motivated and competent participants in social life.”(Kellner, D., & Share, J.) Which is what has been a big problem in the past with cyber bullying. Students need critical media literacy so that they can not only learn how to express themselves, but to teach them the morals and ethics of media.

Kellner, D., & Share, J. (2005). Toward Critical Media Literacy: Core concepts, debates, organizations, and policy. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 26(3), 369-386.
Evidence Chart

Introductory Post

The Never Ending Voyage



Homepage Video Questions


1) Why is teaching media literacy important?

To help students analyze the media to see it for what it really is.

2) What do you want to learn about teaching media literacy? 

I want to learn what materials are appropriate to use in the school for students and how to get them thinking critically towards media.

3) What concerns do you have about teaching media literacy?

 My main concern is find age appropriate material to analyze with the students. This is important to me because I don’t want the parents being angry with me , even though just doing media literacy might enrage some parents.

4) When are assignments do in this course?

All assignments will be posted by Sunday midnight and MOST will be due the following Sunday by Midnight. Occasionally due dates will vary if the assignment requires feedback from peers or myself for completion.

5) What are the rules for late assignments? 

LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY: You must contact me within 24 hours of missing a due date for an assignment. I will provide you with an opportunity to receive partial credit for a late assignment as long as you communicate with me in a timely manner. If you DO NOT contact me within 24 hours you NOT receive points for that assignment.

6) What is the best way to contact me? 

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason related to the class! You may contact me through gmail (dllb123@gmail.com). Please consider using the video chat feature if you see that I'm online. You may also call me on my cell phone 304-319-3777.

7) Should you work ahead?

**Check with me before working ahead. I tend to change readings and detail of assignments based on the needs of student in the class.

Introductory Post

My name is Sean Harwell and I am originally from Nashville, TN, but my family moved to Charleston, WV when I was 5 years old. I am currently a graduate assistant for Dr. Deb Hemler at Fairmont State University and taking courses for my Digital Media, Learning, and New Literacies degree. In this class I expect to learn how to help students think critically towards digital media and how to help them create their own way of expressing themselves through digital media.