NEW TEXT: Prentice Hall Media Studio

[Ryan Goble]

This resource is an interesting one.  Some of you have read other posts where I've shared some of my opinions on "big text."  The time and money textbook and testing companies companies spend involved in politics is such that I always approach their products with caution. 

That being said, these companies have resources and funds to do some pretty exciting stuff.  MC Popper Peter Gutierrez has been helping Prentice Hall craft their new Media Studio program that is coming out in Spring 2010.  The curriculum seems to be concerned more with traditional areas of media literacy (film, advertising & news).  I think we're probably about ten years away from seeing the big companies deal with a larger range of new media as the issues in those areas are just starting to become clear (see this post).

I sat with the preview online, and talked a bit to Peter about the program at NCTE.  It looks like they've got:

1. a pretty interesting film creation interface 

2. an impressive database of literature and film links

3. a great series of interactive film clips

4. student friendly "behind the scenes" interviews

I'm interested to hear what other folks think and will be interested to see how many schools start adapting this kind of curriculum in the language arts.

If you get a chance, do check the preview module that can be found here.

Share your thoughts below if you get a chance to watch the preview

[Frank W. Baker]

Interesting, do we know what the cost will be? I personally don't see many schools adopting this UNTIL we get more states/standards/teachers appreciating analyzing and creating media texts. That being said: McDougall-Littel has a similar DVD package out now entitled "Media Smart" with clips from commercials, film, politics and more. (They showed off this title at the NAMLE 2007 conference)

[Ryan Goble]

Yeah, we still have a long way to go, eh? Thanks for the additional info Frank!

RRG:)