Media education can be
integrated throughout the curriculum. Here are some
suggestions for making math, science and music and the arts more fun and relevant
for students by studying media and media messages. We also have a few new-media resources that make teaching these subjects more effective and interesting.
If you're new to media literacy, take our introductory
tour for teachers, then return here for more information. |
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Why study media related to math and science?
The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
for Mathematics and Science Education (ENC) on their page, Becoming
Literate in Mathematics and Science, says:
“We all agree that schools must prepare young people to be
math literate, science literate, and technology literate, but we
are not always sure what the literate citizen should look like.
From understanding net gains and losses, spreadsheets, and annual
reports to the composition of matter and the chemistry of the universe, math and science literacy affects the decisions we make in our personal
and community life.”
In addition to checking specific teaching resources below, read these important articles on how journalists often accept the results of surveys and purportedly scientific studies as "revealed truth," rather then examining how the numbers and reported conclusions are manipulated to serve the agenda of those who published them: "Polls Give Numbers, But Truth is More Elusive," "Factoid Watch: Food Poisoning's Phony Figures," "Are U.S. Students Behind?" and "Not All Domestic Violence Studies are Created Equal.". [Thanks to MediaChannel.org for leads to these.]
Math
Media messages cite statistics, polling data, stock market reports,
sports results and other numerical data that viewers and listeners
need to accurately understand. During election cycles, it's particularly
critical that citizens know how numbers (who's ahead in the polls,
how many voters believe what, etc.) can be manipulated to influence
the message.
Are there online lesson plans related
to math and media?
- PBS
Teacher Source has a lot of good material linking many of
their programs to math activities for grades preK-12 and by topic
(algebra, data analysis, numbers and operations, statistics and
probability, etc.)
- Media
Literacy Clearinghouse has good links to advertising, credit
cards, sports advertising and other topics with good jumping-off
points to making math literacy relevant to everyday life. The
Math in
the Media page has some basic information that will be helpful,
especially to middle school teachers.
How about books or other resources?
A good book is Damned Lies and Statistics: Untangling Numbers from the Media,
Politicians, and Activists, by Joel Best
Consider incorporating filmmaking into your classwork as a way to jump-start learning. 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.
Science
As societies become ever more dependent on technology, chemistry
and other man-made processes, citizens need to become more aware
of how these affect us as individuals, nations and planetary inhabitants.
Governments once undertook consumer protection as a given, however
we now live in a less-regulated society, and corporations have a
much greater ability to “spin” their messages to influence
public opinion about subjects as important as the safety of our
food supply, biotechnology, gene splicing and more. It has never
been more important to learn how to ask the right questions about
what we hear about the natural world and about those who seek to
change it with their man-made products and processes.
Are there online lesson plans or resources related to science
and media?
- UC Santa Barbara's
Earth Sciences Educational MultiMedia Visualization Center offers "high quality visualization-enhancing materials about the Earth Sciences, harnessing the power of new multi-media imagery tools to bring our science to life. Our goal is to make Earth information broadly accessible and as interesting, exciting and fun as possible for uses in all levels and forms of education." Free graphic image files for teachers to use in the classroom to help illustrate lesson plans and other teaching activities.
- PBS
Teacher Source has a lot of good material linking many of
their programs to science activities for grades preK-12 and by
topic (botany, geology, chemistry, and much more).
- The Director in the Classroom explains why having your students make a film on any topic, science included, engages learners like nothing else you might try.
How About Books?
- Trust Us We're
Experts: How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles with Your
Future by John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton
- Toxic Sludge Is
Good for You!: Lies, Damn Lies and the Public Relations Industry
by John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton
- Mad Cow U.S.A.:
Could the Nightmare Happen Here? by Sheldon Rampton, John
Stauber
Music and The Arts
For Teachers of All Subjects
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.
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