MEDIA LITERACY PEDAGOGICAL PAPER 1

Media Literacy Pedagogical Paper

Mariah Mahjoory
Michigan State University
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Abstract

I will be teaching my fifth-grade class the importance of media literacy. Media literacy

allows students to evaluate, interpret, and analyze different media and the messages they are

trying to convey. It is essential to teach students how to become better media literacy learners.

Technology and the internet are becoming prevalent aspects of today’s society, kids have access

to a variety of media outlets such as social media, television, magazines, and websites. Many of

these provide both credible and noncredible information that students are exposed to. The goal is

to help and encourage my students to become better media literacy learners. Teaching them to

assess the information presented and use it responsibly are large components in being media

literate.
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What kind of students might I be teaching?

I will be teaching a class of fifth-grade students the importance of media literacy. The

school that I teach at is in a remarkably diverse city with people from all walks of life. My

students come from all different backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. Some students live in

the inner city while others live in the suburban outskirts. Most of my students are native English

speakers while a handful are non-native English speakers. Each student has access to different

technologies in the school building, but it varies in their homes. Some students have high

functioning internet, a phone, a computer, and other devices. Other students are limited in what

technology they can use. My students are equipped with an average amount of knowledge on the

internet as they use it throughout the day in school. However, they have issues assessing which

articles are more credible in comparison to others. 

What aspects of media literacy am I most excited about teaching?

I am excited to teach my students ways in which they can be responsible with any media

or technology platform. With technology being a widely used phenomenon today, it is important

kids are safe when using it. There are many dangerous, untrue, and inappropriate media outlets

that kids can come across. Being able to teach them ways in which they can analyze what they

are seeing is vital in their success as media literacy learners. “But an increasing amount of the

news people are seeing is problematic, inaccurate, or suspicious. And that’s something to worry

about” (Stewart 2020). With technology being used in schools and at home, it is important

students know how to use it safely. I look forward to assisting my students in their ability to

interpret, analyze, and decipher messages and information multiple media outlets are attempting

to convey to them. “The spread of disinformation on social media is one part of that story, but so

is the rise of alternative rightwing media outlets, the lack of investment in public media, the
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demise of local news outlets, and the replacement of shuttered local newspapers with hyper-

partisan online outlets” (Beckett, 2021). Students today are utilizing the internet at a far higher

rate than students in the past. I want to help them understand the difference between credible and

non-credible sources. This is a prevalent issue occurring in the United States right now, affecting

people of all ages. It is important to teach students ways to be mindful that not all information

they see is true. Being able to implement fun and engaging activities to cater to my students’

interest in media literacy will also be exciting. All students learn differently and process

information in a variety of ways. Being able to assist them in their critical thinking skills when

using multiple media platforms will be beneficial to their success in the long run. Educating my

students to question things and become problem solvers is what I am most excited about. 

What aspects of media literacy am I most concerned about teaching?

 I am most concerned about discouraging my students when teaching them about media

literacy. Since my students come from a variety of socioeconomic statuses each of their access to

different technologies differs. Although students have access to a computer or iPad in school,

they may not have access to any technology at home. “Two-thirds of the world’s school-age

children – or 1.3 billion children aged 3 to 17 years old – do not have internet connection in their

homes, according to a new joint report from UNICEF and the International Telecommunication

Union (ITU)” (Thompson, 2020). I am concerned about which of my students do not have access

to technology at home. Some students have access to the internet with a simple click anywhere

or anytime while others may have limited access. Many of my lessons will involve teaching

multiple techniques to students to responsibly engage with messages media outlets are trying to

convey to them. That means teaching my students how to analyze the information being

introduced to them both inside and outside the classroom. Although being media literate involves
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evaluating the media being presented to them, some students may not have access to it. However,

I do not want to discourage students who may not have access to the internet or different

technologies at home. That is what I am most concerned about. Some lessons I have in mind

when teaching my students involve accessing multiple media outlets at home for homework. I

would need to discover different ways for my students who do not have access to certain media

or technology at home. 

What about media literacy am I curious about and want to learn more about?

I am curious about how much propaganda and misinformation are used on a variety of

media platforms. There are a plethora of websites whose main purpose is to spread fake news to

gain views. I am constantly questioning how many people genuinely believe that the fake news

they are reading is true. The misinformation being spread in the United States is growing rapidly,

especially with the internet. Children are one of the many people who are at risk of being

exposed to phony information. “Children learn to create and think critically about these media

messages. These skills allow children to take control of the media that surrounds them, rather

than letting it control them” (Ladner, 2016).  It is my job to teach them ways to investigate and

question what they are seeing on multiple technology and media platforms. I want to learn more

about different activities I can implement in my class that helps my students become better

media literacy learners. Being able to create lessons that focus on my student’s engagement and

individual needs is key. I hope to learn more about ways to accomplish that.
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References

Course Readings

Beckett, L. (2021, January 01). Facts won't fix this: Experts on how to FIGHT America's
disinformation crisis. Retrieved March, 2021, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-
news/2021/jan/01/disinformation-us-election-covid-pandemic-trump-biden?
CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Powerful voices for kids. (n.d.). Retrieved March, 2021, from

http://www.discovermedialiteracy.com/what-media-literacy

Stewart, E. (2020, December 22). America's growing fake news problem, in one chart. Retrieved
March, 2021, from https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/12/22/22195488/fake-
news-social-media-2020

Self-Assigned Readings

Ladner, J. (2016, January 13). What is media literacy, and why is it important? Retrieved March,
2021, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/news-and-media-literacy/what-is-media-
literacy-and-why-is-it-important

Thompson, G. (2021, March 05). Two thirds of the world's school-age children have no internet
access at home, NEW Unicef-itu report says. Retrieved March, 2021, from
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/two-thirds-worlds-school-age-children-have-no-
internet-access-home-new-unicef-itu#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%2FGENEVA%2C
%201%20December,International%20Telecommunication%20Union%20(ITU).

Why media literacy is so important for children today. (2019, June 16). Retrieved March, 2021,
from https://screensavvykids.com/2018/12/30/why-media-literacy-is-so-important-for-
children-today/