This post is written by NCTE Whole Language Umbrella (WLU) Chair Caryl Crowell.
The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) defines media literacy as “the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication” in an interdisciplinary way. The powerful combinations of words and images that surround us require knowledgeable critique and response. It’s our responsibility as educators to help our students at all levels develop the ability to use information and entertainment technology to communicate their messages to their audiences and also be able to use critical thinking skills to interpret, deconstruct, and question the media they see
The Whole Language Umbrella has joined with NAMLE to promote Media Literacy Week, October 31 – November 4, 2016. We invite you to contribute your ideas, lessons, resources, and even student work to the comments section below.
In addition, NCTE’s Media Literacy Week webpage has links where you can see what educators across the country and around the world are thinking about with respect to these new forms of literacy.
Help us spread the word to your colleagues, too. Membership in NAMLE is free to educators!
Caryl Crowell is the current president of the Whole Language Umbrella, long time primary teacher, and desert dweller. She works as the Magnet Coordinator at Borton Magnet School, in the Tucson Unified School District.