Media Literacy
| A program for 7th-9th grade students and their teachers and parents. | A program for 3rd-6th grade students and their teachers and parents. |
TV Confidential
TV PlanetAn increasingly important topic for students in the new millennium, media literacy means the ability to critically view what one sees in all forms of media. From television shows to the Internet, the media influence the way we view our world.
Television in particular, in 99 percent of homes in the United States, plays a huge part in defining our values and beliefs as a society. Learning to be a critical viewer is thus imperative or we run the risk of allowing the business behind television to create our values.
Rather than censoring all television, proponents of media literacy encourage us to equip students with the critical thinking skills needed to best understand the messages received on television. Media literacy empowers viewers to examine their relationship with the media and better understand the business behind television, allowing them to make their own determinations of their values within the context of this new knowledge.
Media Literacy at Rocky Mountain PBS
The Rocky Mountain PBS Media Literacy Project developed television programs, teaching materials, and training to help teachers and parents assist young people in establishing lifetime viewing and thinking skills, and developing a clear understanding of media's influence in their lives.
Activities include:
- Media Literacy Workshops
As part of the Ready To Learn Project, Rocky Mountain PBS provides media literacy education for parents, families, early-age caregivers, and educators. Resources provided include on-air information spots, in-depth workshops, and print resources available free of charge.
- Media Literacy Programs and Classroom Resources
- TV Planet, the first of two media literacy programs developed by Rocky Mountain PBS, uses a humorous approach to teaching media literacy concepts and critical thinking skills to students in upper elementary and middle school grades.
- TV Confidential and accompanying classroom activites help 7th-9th graders examine truth in advertising, television news, and violence on TV.
- TV Planet, the first of two media literacy programs developed by Rocky Mountain PBS, uses a humorous approach to teaching media literacy concepts and critical thinking skills to students in upper elementary and middle school grades.
Need More Information?
For information on any of the Rocky Mountain PBS media literacy programs or activities contact:
Education Project Officer
Rocky Mountain PBS
1089 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80204-4066.
Phone: 303-620-5683
E-mail our Education Project Officer
The following web sites are excellent sources for information on media literacy:
Priime Tiime Today
Current contests:
Media Literacy Essay Contest for grades 6-8
30-second PSA Contest for grades 9-12
Media Literacy Clearinghouse
Kids First
Center for Media Literacy
Mew Mexico Media Literacy Project
The TV Parental Guidelines
The Media Literacy Online Project
Media Alert!
