Media and the Curriculum

Topic 4: Digital Media

This week we examine in a little more detail the ideas developed in Topic 1 and Topic 2. Facilitated by the development and increasing accessibility of user-friendly desktop software, online and digital resources, many young people are thoroughly engaged with online digital media, texts and technologies. They use these as sources of information, entertainment and connection. Importantly, young people do not merely consume within this digital world – they are cultural producers who: create profiles, blogs and vlogs; write posts and comment of texts; create short films and videos; contribute to wikis; and so much more.

Media teachers, like all teachers, must capitalise on the accessibility of these resources and the proclivities and interests of students in meaningful and pedagogically effective ways. Media teachers should attempt to use online and digital media in their programs of work and open these media to critical thought and interrogation. 

On successful completion of this topic you should be able to: explain why digital and online technologies and texts should be part of the goal of developing media literacy; have a better understanding of the role of online and digital technologies in the lives of young people; and begin integrating online or digital technologies into your media program/website in a meaningful way.

Activities

Provide a response to the poll below:

Student Presentations

 'Priceless' presentation http://prezi.com/kqa-jkmwrbwl/games-media/

Focus Questions

1. What insights do you glean from Nussbaum’s descriptions of young people and blogging? 

2. How are online and digital technologies impacting on how we think about education and media education?

3. What innovative classroom use of new media have you heard about, read about, or seen in action? Compile a list of online/digital resources that may be effective in your media class.

4. Do you feel comfortable to employ online and digital technologies in the classroom? What challenges might you face?

Activities for External Students

1. Complete the above focus questions.

3. Complete the poll, ‘Where do you stand’, and the quiz, ‘Old School or New School?’ Reflect on your answers/results.

4. Now watch Digital Nation.

5. Reflect on your reaction to Digital Nation. Consider your thoughts in relation to the poll and quiz you completed before you watched it. Did the documentary confirm or challenge your thoughts about schooling, ICT and their relationship?

6. Take a look through the Media class tasks and assessments in the document below. Think about how you could integrate the use of ICT Information and Communication Technologies) in any one of these tasks. Either create a lesson plan that invites students to use ICT based upon one these tasks, or in relation to your own program. Share with the group.

7. Continue developing your website. As you do, share your thoughts and creation with other students via the Facebook page, here, or Murdoch’s LMS.

Workshop Activities

1. Individual workshop presentation and discussion.

2. Go to the Digital Nation support material. Complete the Poll, ‘Where do you stand’, and the Quiz, ‘Old School or New School?’ Share your answers/results with the group. Discuss.

3. Now watch Digital Nation.

4. Reflect upon your reaction to Digital Nation. Discuss the following statements:

• "What is wrong with some teachers? get with the program!"
• "I am sceptical when I hear people hailing how technology is the solution or panacea for improving student learning!"
  

5. Discuss your thoughts about the documentary in relation to the poll and quiz you did before you watched it. Did the documentary confirm or challenge your thoughts about schooling, ICT and their relationship?

6. What innovative classroom use of new media have you heard about, read about, or seen in action? Compile a list of online/digital resources that may be effective or handy in your media class.

7. Take a look through the Media class tasks and assessments in the document link below. Think about how you could integrate the use of ICT Information and Communication Technologies) in any one of these tasks. In pairs, either create a lesson plan that invites students to use ICT based upon one these tasks, or in relation to your own program. Share with the group.

8. Continue developing your website. As you do, share your topic, instructional pathway and your creation with other students in the workshop, or via the Facebook page, here or Murdoch’s LMS.

 Media program samples of work can be downloaded from the LMS homepage HERE

Add Program Ideas

Remember to add your program ideas to this WORKBOOK.