Media education is most easily (and most often) integrated into English, language arts and communications classes. This Q&A will guide you in that effort. If you're new to media literacy, take our introductory tour for teachers, then return here for more information.

What does the National Council for Teachers of English say about teaching media literacy in the classroom?

"Media literacy refers to composing, comprehending, interpreting, analyzing, and appreciating the language and texts of...both print and nonprint. The use of media presupposes an expanded definition of 'text'...print media texts include books, magazines, and newspapers. Nonprint media include photography, recordings, radio, film, television, videotape, video games, computers, the performing arts, and virtual reality...constantly interact...(and) all (are) to be experienced, appreciated, and analyzed and created by students." (Source: NCTE, Commission on Media, Carole Cox, 1994, p.13)

What are the ELA standards on media literacy in my state?

Media educator Frank Baker has built a matrix showing where all 50 states have at least one reference to media studies in the ELA curriculum. For California educators, here's a printer-friendly PDF: California state curriculum standards that incorporate teaching media literacy.

How do I begin integrating media education into my daily teaching?

Start with the excellent CML MediaLit Kit™ , from the Center for Media Literacy. It provides “a blueprint for building an inquiry-based media literacy program based on principles developed and honed through years of research and use both in the United States and around the world.” The kit's free 25-page Orientation Guide provides a "guided tour" of the media literacy process for teachers, curriculum designers and those who want to integrate media literacy into an educational setting, and is available FREE on their website.

You might also just jump in by incorporating filmmaking into your classwork. Check out this outstanding site at The Director in the Classroom for why and how this can engage students and enhance learning like nothing else you might try.

Are there textbooks to help me learn about media/media literacy?

Every year there are more books that carry specific media literacy lessons and activities:

• A comprehensive list of books is here on the Media Literacy Clearinghouse site.
• For grades 3-5, a Media Literacy series of books from Capstone Press.
• High school: Holt Rinehart & Winston: "Elements of Language"
• McDougall-Littell: "Media Focus,"a "guide to helping your students become active viewers and producers of media."
• Harcourt: Media Literacy and Communication Skills Packages. These include a video and Teacher's Guide to help develop non-written communication skills. “Listening, speaking, viewing, and representing lessons enhance daily instruction. Additional Teacher's Guides are also available separately.” Unfortunately, their website has no details on this product.
• For college-level texts, this page on the University of Illinois, Chicago site lists many books but does not appear to have been updated since 2002.
• Teaching Television in a Digital World is an online "textbook" with separate sections for teachers and students.

The excellent Canadian high school textbook by media literacy pioneer Barry Duncan and colleagues, Mass Media & Popular Culture, is a very useful reference for American teachers.

What other resources are available?

• Center for Media Literacy, utilizing its MediaLit Kit framework, provides curricula, professional development, implementation and research "to prepare educators, parents and children with the media literacy skills necessary to be enlightened, engaged citizens of a global media culture."
• Media Education Foundation MEF has one ELA-specific title, Peter Elbow on Writing, (check the Specials link for reduced price info), plus many outstanding, thought-provoking materials you can use to stimulate analysis and reflection for writing assignments. Most videos (also in DVD format) have printed discussion guides, and are primarily for older teens, college-age and adults. Topics include gender roles and sexism, global media issues, consumer culture, media portrayals of race and sexual orientation, media violence, alternative viewpoints, and much more.
• New Mexico Media Literacy Project CD-ROM teaching resources, study guides and other materials, primarily around media influence on young people through advertising.

Are there online lesson plans relevant to critical thinking and viewing, advertising, bias, language of TV/film, writing & media?

• Media Awareness Network See The Lesson Library on the right sidebar, with search capability by topic area and grade level. This is an outstanding site, and demonstrates how far the U.S. has to go in integrating media education into our curricula.
• PBS Teacher Source has a huge collection of lesson plans and activities.
• Media Literacy Clearinghouse has a wealth of information and links.

What are the best overall media education websites, and how can I most easily find information on them?

The advanced search function on this website allows you to search what we consider to be the top media literacy sites on the web. Just enter your search term(s) and you'll get results from the best on the web.

How can I locate a media education speaker for a workshop or conference?

That one's easy! Visit our Media Literacy Speakers Bureau™ here on this website.

Are there organizations and professional development opportunities to help me with my media literacy teaching?

Yes. Check  out our Community page, and review our Calendar of conferences & events.

Is there a media literacy list serve or discussion group I can join to network with others like me?

Yes, our Community page has that information.

Once you learn to look and listen with media-literate eyes and ears, and to create your own messages in new media formats, your life will never be the same. That's good! Enjoy the journey.

Many thanks to media literacy consultant/speaker Frank Baker (editor of Media Literacy Clearinghouse and advisor to MediaLiteracy.com), for his help with this Teaching section.