Some schools teach media literacy skills in Media Studies classes, rather than (or in addition to) integrating the work into English or Social Studies. 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 is 'media studies' and how does it differ from 'media literacy'?

Briefly, media literacy is the outcome -- the skill one has after taking media studies classes. These two terms, plus media education, tend to be used interchangeably. This page on the Media Awareness site gives a good explanation (especially the third comment by Chris Worsnop)

How can I find out what my state teaching standards say about media/media literacy?

Media educator/consultant Frank Baker has built a matrix showing which states have a media studies strand in the curriculum.

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.CML's Reading Room also offers articles on the arts and media arts.

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?

We are not aware of any U.S media studies textbooks. But we can recommend the excellent Canadian high school textbook by media literacy pioneer Barry Duncan and colleagues, Mass Media & Popular Culture . It and many other quality references are available from the Center for Media Literacy's catalog of teaching resources.

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 many outstanding, thought-provoking materials you can use to stimulate analysis and reflection about media. 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 Innovative CD-ROM teaching resources, study guides and other materials, primarily around media influence on young people through advertising. K-12 curriculum materials are very teacher-friendly.

Are there online lesson plans relevant to: audiences, history of media, TV/video production, representation, and ideology?

• 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. Search keywords television and radio.
• Media Literacy Clearinghouse has a wealth of information and links. Topics include TV & radio production, Radio and sound, and many more.
• Media Education Foundation has a number of useful materials you can download, including Deconstructing a Video Advertisement and How to be a Critical Media Viewer.

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

See our Teaching pages for English/Language Arts , Social Studies & History , Health & Life/Consumer Skills - each cites a few of the best sites.

Also, 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. 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.