Media Studies

Intro

Media Literacy is a growing strand that is becoming increasingly important in schools as new technology continuously comes our way. Children today take in a vast amount of information from a variety of sources, far beyond what older generations are used to. Despite the difference in media of the past, present, or future, they all share a common theme. Someone created it, and it was created for a reason. Understanding that reason is the basis of what media literacy entails.

Cox. J. (2017, July, 18). Technology in the Classroom. [Online Image]. Retrieved from Source

In addition to new technologies that are being presented to the youth today, teachers and educators are provided with new opportunities and techniques to be used to teach children by applying the technological resources into lessons and activities. Something that needs to be remembered is that teachers should apply and use technologies in the classroom as a tool and resource to enhance a lesson, not just to use the technology because it is there.

Device Management

A big question that has been coming up as more students are receiving technologies such as cell phones at younger ages, is how to manage their uses in the class? Taking a look at the article "3 Tips for Managing Phone Use in Class by Liz Kolb describes a management technique that teachers can implement in their classrooms. Using the stop light system allows students to be aware of when they should be on their devices and when not to be. A big debate is whether allowing students to have their phones in class will be a distraction to their learning or not. By having a system such as the stop light management technique in one’s classroom, it can allow for the proper uses of devices in the classroom, one where devices can enhance learning and be used as an additional tool in an activity or lesson and not just as a phone or distraction.  Having personal devices in the classroom can be a great tool for students to look up information quickly and participate in class activities such as by using Kahoot!

Melissa. (2016, August, 15). Phone Management. [Online Image] Retrieved Source

Media Studies Without Devices

Despite the vast growth in technology and the splurge of students who are using these devices, not everything that teachers do have to encompass and include technology. Sometimes taking things back to the basics can be just as effective and inspiring. During an activity in class, we had to come up as a group a lesson and activity My group decided to look at a grade two activity and lesson in producing media texts (section M 3.4 and 3.2 of the Language Arts Curriculum) while also tying it into section W 2.1, Using knowledge of form and style in writing. The goal was to allow students to understand procedure writing by making cookies and being able to create a visual of the sequence of steps through making a photo collage. This activity allowed for students to search different recipes on websites and compare them, seeing what makes a good cookie and search for the nutrition facts. From their search they then are able to understand the steps and materials needed to make cookies. To fully grasp the steps and concept, students are then able to learn hands on by making the cookies. Throughout the process, students are documenting what they see and are doing by either taking photographs of the steps, or drawing pictures. This will create their photo collage with their sequence of events that transpired throughout the process. Through this activity, students are able to visually see what needs to be done, conduct the act of making the cookies, and display the process.

Baking Glory. (2015, July 6). Cookie Recipe. [Online Image] Retrieved from Source

Conclusion

Media Studies will continually have an increasingly important role in literacy education as students become more exposed to new and different types of technologies. It is important to move with the times and embrace these devices and technologies in the classroom to enhance lessons and activities, as it is important not to lose focus on the content that is being and the methods in which it is taught.