Blog 2 - Rationale for teaching film, television, & media

I would begin with the district's mission statement: "The mission of the Edina Public Schools... is to educate all individuals to be responsible, lifelong learners who possess the skills, knowledge, creativity, self-worth, and ethical values necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing, culturally diverse, global society."

Key ideas in this mission statement that relate directly to teaching film, television and media are that the lifelong learners will "possess the skills" and "knowledge...to thrive in a rapidly changing...global society." Technology and media are changing about as fast as anything.

Consider some of the data in this well-known youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHmwZ96_Gos

I really think the information in this video is compelling enough to persuade most district officials that new media must be taught in schools; however, I would be remiss if I did not continue to press my points.

Next, I would cite the Minnesota State Language Arts standards, which include:
II.D.1 - "1. Use print, electronic databases and online resources to access information, organize ideas, and develop writing."
II.D.7 - "7. Distinguish between reliable and questionable Internet sources and apply responsible use of technology."
And the entire substrand of media literacy, III.C.:
1. Evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information found on Internet sites.
2. Evaluate the logic of reasoning in both print and non-print selections.
3. Evaluate the source’s point of view, intended audience and authority.
4. Determine whether the evidence in a selection is appropriate, adequate and accurate.
5. Evaluate the content and effect of persuasive techniques used in print and broadcast media.
6. Make informed evaluations about television, radio, film productions, newspapers and magazines with regard to quality of production, accuracy of information, bias, purpose, message and audience.
7. Critically analyze the messages and points of view employed in different media, including advertising, news programs, web sites, and documentaries.
8. Formulate critical, evaluative questions relevant to a print or non-print selection.
9. Critically analyze and evaluate the strategies employed in news broadcasts, documentaries, and web sites related to clarity, accuracy, effectiveness, bias and relevance of facts.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of ethics in mass communication and describe the characteristics of ethical and unethical behavior.

It's clear that the state recognizes that we are an increasingly multi-media society. The written word will always be used to communicate, but more and more the written word is combined with graphics and moving images to communicate meaning. I would anticipate, with the state working to adopt new standards, that they will only attempt to broaden the reach of media literacy in the teaching of language arts, and I would support that decision.

In order for our students to function and thrive in this global market, it is absolutely essential that they can both interpret and create text of all modes of communication. (Off the record, I think the attitude posited in this particular blog assignment is kind of antiquated, and it wouldn't be extremely difficult to make a persuasive case for the teaching of media in the schools.)