Introductory Tour to Media Literacy for Teachers and Educators Welcome to the growing field of media literacy education. Children spend more hours per week with media than they do in school, yet few are taught how to "read" any type of media message other than printed text.

Kids love media! Media educators know that teaching about media, and with media, make standard school subjects more interesting to kids.

It's not a new subject to teach (unless you want it to be). You can learn how to integrate media analysis and production with the teaching methods you already use. And in doing so, you'll be teaching your students how to learn even more about the mediated world they live in, so they can become critical thinkers and viewers of the thousands of messages they receive every day.

Begin with these steps. You don't have to do them in order, nor all at once. Start now, come back often, and sign up for our Email news of additions to this site and other media literacy news and notices.

	(5-10 minutes) Familiarize yourself with the varying definitions of what is media literacy on the excellent Canadian website, Media Awareness.
	(5 minutes) Learn what your state's curriculum standards are via this chart on the Media Literacy Clearinghouse site. McRel standards are also available there. California teachers may open and print this PDF file of California State K-12 curriculum standards incorporating media literacy education.
	(15-30 minutes) Visit the Center for Media Literacy's website and its Reading Room, and check out the teaching resources in your areas of interest. Download their free MediaLit Kit to read about how media education can be integrated into classroom teaching on standard subjects. Read their page on Getting Started: Strategies for Introducing Media Literacy in Your School or District.
	(10-30 minutes) Visit Media-Awareness, the truly awesome Canadian website on media education. Poke around in their vast collection of online lesson plans, articles and other great material.
	(5-10 minutes) Considering joining a listserv (email discussion group), particularly the Media-L list. Review the other online resources available.
	(5-10 minutes) Check out the two different professional organizations for media educators, each of which offers a bi-annual conference.
	(2 minutes) Scan the conference calendar to see what may be in your area.
	(The rest of your life) HAVE FUN WITH IT! Nothing can engage students like media. Teaching and learning about media messages is exciting, challenging and opens whole new worlds for students to explore. Start now, and let us know if there's anything we can do for you.