QUESTION: Preparing for Media Literacy Career

[Karl Steinkamp]

Hello Everyone,

I teach a media literacy course and have a student who has become passionate about media literacy. Specifically, she wants to become a media literacy teacher. She has asked me about how to move in that direction (colleges and universtities to consider, etc).

Can anybody give recommendations for good schools and degree programs for her to look into and any other resources you might have that would help me guide her in becoming a media literacy teacher.

 

Karl Steinkamp

Dalat Int'l School

[Frank W. Baker]

Appalalachian State University (David Considine)
Webster (St Louis) Art Silverblatt
Ithaca College ( Cyndy Scheibe, Project LookSharp)
Temple University's Media Ed Lab (Renee Hobbs)

[Karl Steinkamp]

Thanks Frank. I recognize all of those names as I have lots of resources for my class that was developed / created by these leaders in media literacy. One quick question for you? Should she consider going into a media career for a while first? One discussion we have had is having her get a marketing / advertising degree and do that for a few years first. She is very creative and has an eye for it and I think could be excellent in this field. After being "in the industry" for a short period of time then heading back and getting her teaching certificate.

Just part of the discussion we are having and wondering what you think?

 

Karl

[Antonio Lopez]

I've heard that Appalachia State has a good grad school program:

http://www.ced.appstate.edu/departments/ci/programs/edmedia/medialit/

 

There's a self-study course here:

http://cmns.athabascau.ca/featured_courses/mediaLiteracy/

 

The New School's media studies program is not literacy focused, but has a good program:

 

http://www.newschool.edu/media-studies/

[Ryan Goble]

Karl - also note that most of the folks Frank mentions are (sans Art) are members of this Ning FWIW. You should have your student reach out to them!

[Karl Steinkamp]

Thanks - what a great resource for a student - to be able to chat with leaders in the field. I will let her know and facilitate her doing that if she is interested.

[Kelly Farrow]

This is a huge part of the job of any school library media specialist!! I highly recommend the Master's in Library and Info Science at Dominican University in River Forest, IL.

[Karl Steinkamp]

Thanks for the idea. Is most of the media literacy type classes taught by those with this type of degree? Is that something that is common in the U.S. schools? If she was to go that direction (librarian / media specialist) what would be the best route for her undergrad?

[Renee Hobbs]

It's generally important for someone in media literacy to have some experience both as a media maker and as an educator. Sometimes people accomplish this by developing their media production skills independently (through amateur, local access or informal production). Other people work in the media industry for a few years before going into an educational setting. There's no one right way to do it.

Getting hands-on experience in teaching and learning situations (and not just talking about education at the theoretical level) seems to be key in the making of "next-gen" media literacy educators who can work at the K-12, informal sector and in higher education.

[Karl Steinkamp]

Thanks Renee. Though I have done quite a bit in producing on an amateur level but if I were to do it over I would get involved in some sort of media related field before going into teaching so that I was teaching more from experience and not just theory. I have discussed this with the students who have shown interest in media literacy. As you said though, there is no one way to do it and there are different roads you can take to head into this career. Thanks for taking time to add to the thread. It is exciting for me as I have more and more students talking to me about looking at a career in media literacy.