Media Literacy / Education

danielle martin — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:41:05 +0000

Media literacy is basically the "ability to “access, analyse, evaluate and use” media." (Wikipedia). Many non-profit digital media programs find it essential to incorporate media literacy components into their workshops and programs, but what's the best approach? Are there free curriculum available out there for CTC VISTAs to use? Does it make sense to teach media literacy to CTC VISTAs themselves?

Here's the ideas generated during the brainstorming at the Fall '06 PSO around this topic:

-media construction (reference MNN curriculum, ACME)
--developing a critical eye
-connecting media making to school curriculums
-equipment donation
-audio production

Tips (& Examples) for Teaching Digital Media with Youth

Nettrice Gaskins — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 21:53:57 +0000

Tips for Teaching

There are many methods and approaches but the ones that work best are youth-centered and hands-on. On subsequent pages are several methods and approaches for planning and getting started with your DAY program, including project-based learning, portfolios, after school and in-school activities. Also, creating the space (DAY studio) is important, as well as developing the actual activities for your program. Upon request are some great lessons for teaching digital art (on CD).

Digital Art Youth Program (DAY)

In 2000, three community-based technology centers across the country launched "ArtTech", a five-week summer program that introduced youth to multimedia. Soon after the project was renamed the Digital Art Youth Program or DAY. Nettrice Gaskins created a resource guide for practitioners that was made available upon request. She also ran a local DAY program at the Boston Neighborhood Network from 2001-2004, with the help of an AmeriCorps VISTA (Derek Hixon). The Boston program served nearly a hundred local youth between the ages of 13 and 18. Additionally, Nettrice worked with a public high school in Dorchester to create school-based curriculum for teachers and students.

Creating the DAY resource guide has been a labor of love for Nettrice (she did not profit from it). For more information about the guide visit the DAY web site.

Computer Animation

In 2005, Nettrice taught three computer animation classes at the Massachusetts College of Art. Two of the classes were for 12-18 year olds and the other was for high school students. For these classes Nettrice developed a web site and curriculum. The activities culminated in a CD/DVD and screening of youth work. The work can also be seen on the web here: Digital Media Channel.

Digital Arts Service Corps - medialiteracy

Media Literacy / Education

Tips (& Examples) for Teaching Digital Media with Youth