McREL International
Mid Continent Research for Education and Learning: Deconstructing Media Messages
This brief activity focuses on the roles that many different people play in the creation of media messages and advertising.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Pbs News Hour Student Reporting Labs Collection
Student Reporting Labs (SRL) creates transformative educational experiences through video journalism that inspire youth to find their voice and engage with their communities. SRL lesson plans, assignment prompts and instruction tools...
Edutopia
Edutopia: Media Smarts: Students Evolve From Consumers to Critics and Creator
This article from Edutopia offers an overview of both the importance of media literacy and some innovative examples of teaching media literacy.
Other
How to Detect Media Bias & Propaganda [Pdf]
A portion of a larger book, this site is critical of journalism as it is presently practiced. This portion offers characteristics of critical news consumers.
Other
Rhetorica Network: Media / Political Bias
A detailed explanation of how bias works is offered at this site, including critical questions for detecting bias in writing.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Detective Elmo: The Cookie Case
Critical thinking is the spotlight here as you help Detective Elmo save Cookie Monster and crack the cookie case!
Media Smarts
Media Smarts: How to Recognize False Content Online: The New 5 Ws [Pdf]
A tip sheet to help both students and adults learn how to test online content for validity.
American Library Association
Aasl: Standards for the 21st Century Learner
This document contains the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner published by the American Library Association. The standards provide a conceptual framework and broad guidelines for describing the information-literate student. These...
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Fake or Real? How to Self Check the News and Get the Facts
Read a story on Facebook. Read the headline and think it's too good to be true, but it looks like it's from a news site. Experts offer tips to help sniff out fact from fake. One of today's greatest challenges in a media bombarded culture.
Other
Media Education Foundation: Deconstructing an Advertisement [Pdf]
Outline of the steps involved and the questions to ask in critically assessing a print advertisement.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How False News Can Spread
In previous decades, most news with global reach came from several major newspapers and networks with the resources to gather information directly. The speed with which information spreads now, however, has created the ideal conditions...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Missing From Texts: Critical Changemakers
Here are some changemakers from around the country who do amazing work and deserve to be celebrated for their contributions, the pathways they have set before and ahead of themselves, and the inspiration they provide to the countless...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: The Re:constructions Project
re:constructions is an online resource and study guide, designed to spark discussions and reflections about the media's role in covering the events of 11 September 2001 and their aftermath. Through discussions with students, staff, and...
Education Development Center
Digital Literacy: Skills for the 21st Century
This tool kit makes the case that critical and creative use of multimedia authoring tools such as PowerPoint must be taught to students. Lessons, background material, assessment and interactive activities are included.
Other
Webliminal: Critically Evaluating Information on the Internet
This site gives excellent information on why it's important to evaluate the content of everything you find in cyberspace, and also tells you how to do so. It also contains information about using search engines effectively and how to...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Pov Collection
POV (a cinema term for "point of view") is television's longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction films. POV premieres 14-16 of the best, boldest and most innovative programs every year on PBS. Since 1988, POV has presented...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Retro Report Collection
Retro Report is a nonprofit news organization that connects the past to our present. Their short videos provide both historical context and new perspectives. You can use the videos and lesson plans to inspire critical thinking and...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Whose Streets?: Lesson Plan Clips
This lesson provides a framework for critical analysis of current and historic race relations in America through the lens of the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown, Jr., a young unarmed black man, by white police officer Darren Wilson in...
Other
Frank Baker: Information Literacy Exercise
Using an article from Dateline Hollywood, this lesson explores a media message and examines its content.
Other
Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement [Pdf]
NCREL provides a detailed report on the use of technology for student improvement. Click on Action Options and scroll down the area designated for teachers to view NCREL ideas on classroom implementation.
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
Ncrel: Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement
NCREL provides a detailed report on the use of technology for student improvement. Click on Action Options and scroll down the area designated for teachers to view NCREL ideas on classroom implementation.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Healthy Kids Project
The Healthy Kids Project uses song, movement, and animation in ten engaging lessons that support healthy choices and attitudes--teaching not only successful actions, but also successful strategies. It's a turnkey kit for teachers to...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Being a Leader
Help your students think critically about the dynamic and changing nature of what it means to be a leader. Below you'll find resources that will assist and encourage your students to explore their value systems, promote positive...
Tom Richey
Genesee Community College: Chapter 2: Perspectives on Mass Communication
A 30-slide presentation on three different perspectives for understanding mass communication. These include the functions of mass media, the critical/cultural perspective, and the research-based empirical approach. It looks at the many...