WEEK 13 MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY-PART 2

Name: Rachael Joseph

This week, I ask that you shape your thoughts about Media & Information Literacy into a
teaching statement that will appear on your web portfolio. MIL is increasingly becoming
an area of concern both for school administrators and parents, and providing a clear
description of your approach to MIL will inform parents and other educators about your
approach to MIL and how they can foster MIL with students.
Recommendations for writing an effective MIL statement
If at all possible, your statement should enable the reader to imagine you in the
classroom, teaching. You want to include sufficient information for picturing not only you
in the process of teaching, but also your class in the process of learning. Helen G.
Grundman, Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement
Your statement can address any or all of the following:
Your conception of MIL
A reflection of why you teach MIL
The MIL goals you have for yourself and for your students
A description of how your teaching facilitates MIL
Your interests in MIL techniques, activities, and types of learning
The ways in which you will create a MIL learning environment
(Adapted from Center for Teaching Guidelines)

Your MIL statement should include 4 distinguishable paragraphs (minimum 5 lines each)
and an illustration:
1) Your definition of MIL. Why is MIL important, and why should we care? What does
it mean for students to be MI-literate in today's world, both academically and
personally? You can use your reflection from last week's assignment. Remember
that using your own words will bring authenticity to your message.
The world we live in today is plagued with media constantly surrounding us. We cannot
turn anywhere without different forms of media trying to influence us. It is crucial for
students to be MI-literate in order to have a true and accurate grasp on the world around
them. Young students are at a very critical stage where their brains can be molded to
believe all sorts of information, whether it is true or not. Providing children with the
appropriate knowledge and tools to interpret the media around them gives them the
opportunity to have clear minds with accurate information as they learn about the
different topics around them. Students should be media-information literate so that they
are able to determine the credibility of the media around them. The media can send both

negative and positive messages and lessons, so it is imperative for students to be able
to filter out the inaccurate and negative information that surrounds them.

2) Your approach to MIL in your classroom. What is it going to look like in your
classroom? How do you see MIL being implemented within and across subjects in your
class? Specific examples are always welcome. There is no right or wrong answer, just
your personal views on teaching.
Teachers play a very large role in teaching MIL skills by assisting students in verifying
the common myths that the media provides about everyday topics, such as current
events. One way to incorporate this into the classroom is by showing different media ads
that both properly and inappropriately display a topic we are learning about. An activity
could be for the students to distinguish which ad portrays the correct and accurate
message and why.

2) An example. Describe on activity, lesson, or other example of your use of MIL in

your classroom. It could be as a specific exercise or as a mindset you try to reinforce
in the class. It could be discipline-specific or across subjects. This is to concretize
your vision and give your audience a take-away example.
An example lesson plan could occur during a unit in which we are talking about the
concept of an election. We could learn about different types of propaganda that
politicians use that are both harmful and beneficial. Then, I would provide a few
examples of both types to groups of students. Students would then have to pick the ad
that they believe is the most accurate and beneficial to the politician and potential voters.
Each group will then present their choice with the reasons why it is a good use of media.

4) Recommendations for parents. Describe how parents can help further MIL for their
children at home. What should they do/not do with their children to help them gain MIL
skills in their personal lives. This part should flow logically from the previous section.
This could be a paragraph, bulleted list, concept map, etc. You can also add possible
links to resources for parents.
DOs
Discuss the effectiveness of commercials while watching TV
Ask how a certain ad made your child feel
Point out appropriate uses of media when seen
DONTs
Support negative media messages
Keep media known for inaccurate information lying around the house

An illustration for students. Using popular culture is a great way to make a message
clear with students. To illustrate your MIL statement for students, go to
www.memegenerator.net and create your own MIL meme that will invite students to think
critically about media and information (copy and paste it in this box).

When you post your statement on your portfolio, feel free to structure it in any way youd
like.
Reflection questions
1. How does having access to MIL resources impact your intentions to teach MIL in
your future classroom?
Having MIL resources makes teaching MIL much more accessible. The presence of MIL
resources in the classroom sparks students curiosity and makes them questions the
resources. This curiosity will then lead to more interest when the subject is being taught,
leading to an ultimately better outcome.

2. Often, MIL is mistaken to be a set of skills exclusively related to technology. How

could you still work on MIL skills with your students in a classroom that doesn't have
technology or Internet access?
Showing students examples of MIL in everyday scenarios such as flyers,
advertisements, and billboards will show the students that they dont have to rely on
solely technology to analyze the media around them. They can get practice by just
simply walking down the street.