Media Literacy: Navigating the Digital Landscape (Middle School)
Media Literacy for Middle Schoolers: Develop critical thinking and digital citizenship skills to navigate the digital world responsibly.
John Peragine
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(4)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursClass Experience
In the rapidly evolving digital age, it has become more essential than ever for middle school students to develop media literacy skills. The Media Literacy online class is specifically designed to empower young minds with the knowledge and critical thinking abilities needed to navigate the vast and often complex world of media. Through interactive and engaging lessons, this class will introduce students to the concept of media literacy, emphasizing the importance of being discerning consumers of information. Participants will discuss various forms of media learning to differentiate between reliable sources and misleading content.
Learning Goals
Critical Analysis of Media Content: Students will learn to assess media messages critically, identifying potential biases, propaganda, and misinformation.
Recognizing Fake News: Participants will gain practical skills to distinguish credible information from fake news and understand the consequences of sharing false information.
Understanding Media Techniques: Through real-world examples, students will explore how media employs techniques like framing, sensationalism, and emotional appeal to influence opinions.
Media Influence on Perception: This class will help students understand how media can shape our perceptions of the world and the impact it has on society and individuals.
Digital Citizenship: Media literacy also involves responsible digital citizenship. Students will learn about online etiquette, cyberbullying prevention, and the importance of respecting others in digital spaces.
Media Creation: Beyond consumption, students will have the opportunity to explore media creation, developing their own content with a focus on accuracy and ethical practices.
The Media Literacy online class will employ a variety of teaching methods, including interactive discussions, multimedia presentations, quizzes, and practical exercises. The goal is to create an engaging learning environment that allows students to apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will emerge with increased media literacy, becoming informed and discerning media consumers and responsible digital citizens. These valuable skills will not only benefit them academically but also in their personal lives as they continue to interact with media throughout their educational journey and beyond.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Media Literacy is designed to be an informative and educational experience for middle school students. However, some class content may touch upon sensitive or potentially upsetting topics related to media manipulation, misinformation, and the impact of certain media on society. As part of our class content policy, we strive to approach these topics with age-appropriate material and sensitivity while providing a safe and supportive learning environment.
Potential Content Warnings:
Fake News and Misinformation: Discussions about fake news and its consequences may challenge some learners, and we will approach these topics with care to avoid causing undue distress.
Violence and Disturbing Images: In media analysis, there might be instances where we briefly discuss media that contain violence or distressing images. We will ensure that such content is kept to a minimum and is appropriately contextualized.
Online Safety: When discussing digital citizenship and the online environment, we will emphasize the importance of online safety, privacy, and responsible behavior on the internet.
Official Media Content Ratings:
The class content will primarily consist of educational material, news articles, and media examples. All media content used in the class will be carefully selected to ensure compliance with age-appropriate standards. Any videos or external content will be carefully reviewed for appropriateness, and we will avoid using any media with explicit or disturbing content.
Third-Party Tools and Family Information:
This class will not require the use of any third-party tools or accounts that may compromise the safety and privacy of the students. All class activities and discussions will take place within a secure and monitored online learning platform, ensuring a safe and controlled environment for students.
Our commitment to providing a positive and respectful learning experience extends to addressing any concerns or issues that students or families may have about the class content. Should any family have questions or require further information about specific topics covered in the course, we encourage open communication and welcome the opportunity to address any concerns promptly.
Overall, our goal is to empower students with valuable media literacy skills while ensuring their emotional well-being and safety throughout the learning journey. We appreciate the trust families place in us, and we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive online learning environment for all students.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2023
5.0
4reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a journalist and work for a number of news sources such as New York Times, Reuters and Bloomberg NewsReviews
Live One-Time Class
$20
per classMeets once
60 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-6 learners per class
