All Blog Posts (229)

The social significance of modern multi-media curricula: Towards construction of political awareness through global media schooling

For my final project for Teach, Think, Play III: The Moving Image in the Classroom, I created a paper entitled "The social significance of modern multi-media curricula: Towards construction of political awareness through global media schooling". I supplemented my written text with a new Discussion Forum under "Best Practices and High Quality Teaching" called "The Globalization of Education in the Digital Age". In… Continue

Added by Dina Paulson on May 5, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Comic Strips as a Teaching Tool

">Then and Now

">Homework 2.0

">Media Illiteracy

Project Description

For my project, I chose to create comic strips on the theme using the moving image in the classroom. Part of this motivation came from my students who use any spare moment in the class to peruse their Manga comics. I figured this was a great opportunity to… Continue

Added by Arshi Saeed on May 5, 2009 at 10:00pm — 7 Comments

Reading Between the Frames (new film literacy curriculum)

Reading Between The Frames is a new 16-page media/film literacy curriculum created by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences--the folks who give out the annual Oscar awards. The guide is available for download from the Academy's website. Portions of the guide are in Spanish.

Added by Frank W. Baker on May 5, 2009 at 5:55pm — No Comments

The Importance of Teaching about Moving Images in the Classroom

Today, the media plays a greater role than ever before in our daily lives. By incorporating moving images into the curriculum, educators can both make it more interesting and relevant for students and help them think critically about this influential, though often neglected, aspect of modernity.

Before we get into teaching moving images in the classroom, let’s talk about what kind of environment our kids experience nowadays, and what they can expect in the future. We live in a… Continue

Added by Jiyean Yoon on May 5, 2009 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

Reflection: Behind The Scenes in Kids TV

On April 4th Dr. Cherow- O'Leary and her panel of speakers addressed our class. Truely, before this conference segment I had no idea what went into producing children's media. I of course assumed that educators did play some role in the script writing. I never thought that lawyers, consultants, etc. were involved. The planning goes on til everyone agrees with each other.

The Sprout discussion also was intriguing (even Chica!). I like how their planning centers around the child. The… Continue

Added by Sean Owens on May 4, 2009 at 8:30pm — 1 Comment

Social Studies 2/3 Day Lesson Plan on the Civil Rights Movement for a 7th/8th Grade Class

Overview:

After listening to Pam Goble’s presentation on “Building Historical Background Using Film,” I was inspired to find a short, historical film that children would enjoy watching as well as learn from. I researched and watched several short films on YouTube and ITunes, which helped me to discover the Disney film, Ruby Bridges. I chose a short clip from the beginning of the movie and decided to incorporate Media Circles while… Continue

Added by Cindy Peattie on May 4, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Reflection on Dr. Kist - New Literacies in Action

I am a Junior-high school music teacher, but also a first time mother with a 14 months old son. And this is why I listened to Dr. Kist's presentation with special interest: I wanted to not only grow and learn new ideas professionally as an educator, but also have awareness about a topic that perhaps might have the biggest impact on my son's education in the near-future.

Dr. Kist's presentation was great - he practiced what he preached very effectively. The exercises he had us go… Continue

Added by Yoonkyung Lee on May 3, 2009 at 9:30pm — 4 Comments

Media That Matters and Social Justice

One of the major highlights for me during the TTP weekend was the Media that Matters presentation. As school teachers, our aim in educating students is not simply for them to be better readers or to perform well on standardized tests, but rather to be democratic citizens who have a strong critical consciousness. Media that Matters showcases short films on important topics of the day that “engage diverse audiences and inspire them to take action.”

The films shown in class, ranging… Continue

Added by Arshi Saeed on May 3, 2009 at 5:54pm — 3 Comments

Reflection on Catherine Gourley's "Teaching Through Film: An Interdisciplinary Approach"

Gourley discussed the importance of using film in the classroom and why students should learn how to read moving images teaching me more about film along the way. I am thrilled and excited to be able to use her strategies in my future classes.

First, she mentioned the usefulness of employing appropriate film terminology, some of which I wasn’t familiar with. I thought that terms such as composition, pacing & continuity, cinematography, and soundtrack were only for professionals… Continue

Added by Jiyean Yoon on May 3, 2009 at 12:30pm — 1 Comment

Media Circles Toward Social Action

Have you taught something in your classroom, and suddenly you see it on Rahmel’s face, he was been struck with that “aha!” moment? The moment that us teachers live for, the one that signifies why we teach. Well, as I sat listening to Pam Goble’s presentation on “Building Historical Background Knowledge While Viewing Film” I felt as if I myself was caught in one of those moments.

For the past month I had been working in my class on literature circles. I have challenged my second graders… Continue

Added by Sophy Joseph on April 30, 2009 at 10:30pm — 6 Comments

Media That Matters!

The Media That Matters presentation screened and discussed documentaries and short films that teach children about social and global issues. Every Third Bite and Ashray were the two documentaries that I was most inspired by and wanted to know more about. “The Media That Matters Film Festival is a project of Arts Engine, which supports, produces, and distributes short… Continue

Added by Cindy Peattie on April 30, 2009 at 9:00pm — 5 Comments

Star Trek vs Star Wars (Newsweek)

If you've seen the cover story in this week's issue of Newsweek Magazine, then you know already that they're promoting the new "Star Trek" movie. What else is new? But what is not on their web site is this sidebar (which I have scanned) in which the editors astutely match up past and current administration officials with their Trek/Wars characters. Enjoy!

Added by Frank W. Baker on April 28, 2009 at 9:21pm — No Comments

Media Circles

Pam Goble’s presentation focused on how to use media to enhance the learning process. She introduced the concept of media circles and provided us with an opportunity to experience them first hand. To prepare for the media circles, we were given a chance to choose one of the following roles: connector, economist, etymologist, fashion critic, questioner, recorder/ spokesperson, scene master, sociologist, technology specialist, or visualizer. In the classroom, these roles can be used to help… Continue

Added by Daniella Nusblat on April 26, 2009 at 8:30pm — 7 Comments

Reflection on William Goldman at TTP 2009

I need to put my sense of awe and excitement out there to all you Ning-ers before I can launch into a reflection. It was such an honor to hear Mr. Goldman speak, one that even rivaled seeing Elmo. As a child I watched and re-watched The Princess Bride, imaging myself as Buttercup and my neighbor Wesley (a Goldman-esque stroke of luck) as Westley. My… Continue

Added by Caitlin Nagle on April 25, 2009 at 10:30am — 5 Comments

Media circles!

As an educator and an individual I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I am quite intimidated by technology and media in my life, much less using it in my classroom. Before taking this class I had only briefly experimented with the use of technology with my students, but I am slowly coming to the realization that media can be a great resource to use in the classroom, it is really a way that can help us reach our students on a whole new level. Whether we choose to accept it or not, the reality of… Continue

Added by Cheza Al-Kudmani on April 25, 2009 at 2:30am — 10 Comments

Thoughts on Jen Powers' Teach, Think, Play 2009 Conference Presentation

I had been looking forward to Jen Powers' presentation from the time I saw it listed in our conference schedule. Unlike the majority of the TTP's attendees, I am not, nor do I plan on becoming, a classroom teacher (though I have lots of respect for those who do—you're brave souls!). As a former film major and a student in the Communications, Computers and Technology in Education (CCTE) department at Teachers College, my interests lie more in teaching… Continue

Added by Kate Rosenbloom on April 24, 2009 at 10:30pm — 5 Comments

Reflection Paper: 2009 Teach, Think, Play III: The Moving Image in the Classroom

Our second session of Teach, Think, Play III, The Moving Image in the Classroom, held at Teachers College, Columbia University on Saturday April 5 2009, began with a presentation by Mary T. Christel entitled “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Gender (But Were Afraid To Learn From Classic Hollywood Comedies)”. Christel presented the pedagogy of using film in the classroom through a “genre” approach towards… Continue

Added by Dina Paulson on April 22, 2009 at 8:00pm — 10 Comments

Deconstructing Popular Advertisements

One of the reasons why visual/media literacy education is not more widespread is that educators haven't had sufficient training in deconstruction. With that in mind, I share the following web resource. The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding has devoted a portion of its web site to Current Popular Culture Advertisements, available to download and deconstruct. One of the reasons this site is so valuable is--you don't have to own the… Continue

Added by Frank W. Baker on April 20, 2009 at 10:14pm — 1 Comment

Columbine left its indelible mark on pop culture

A CNN news story: The massacre of students and a teacher within the seemingly safe hallways of Columbine High School has generated a lot of creations from artists, writers, musicians, and filmmakers over the past decade.

Added by Frank W. Baker on April 20, 2009 at 9:39am — 1 Comment

William Goldman at Teach, Think, Play – April 5, 2009

Interesting visit, interesting difference in the degree of reverence accorded to this guest vs. other guests – but yes, we wanted to make him comfortable speaking to a crowd of us considering he does not like public speaking in front of groups of strangers. Can’t say I blame him.

Some things I thought about while he was speaking:

First of all, he made some comments when speaking to us that if we were thinking of becoming screen writers, there were things we needed to… Continue

Added by Diane D on April 9, 2009 at 10:22pm — 4 Comments