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Teaching Media in Primary Schools
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Teaching Media in Primary Schools

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September 2010 | 152 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Children growing up in the 21st century need to understand the full range of media available to them, both as sources of information and entertainment, and as a means of communicating and sharing ideas. Embedded in the primary curriculum, media education enables children to become more fully literate for the digital age. Grounded in best classroom practice, this book aims to help you think about the role of media in children's lives, and to teach about media effectively in your classroom.

Three dimensions of media education for the 3-11 age range are highlighted: children's own cultural experiences, the development of critical awareness, and opportunities for creative expression. The chapters are written by literacy advisors, leading academics, teacher-trainers, and classroom practitioners.

Topics covered include:

  • Understanding children's relationships with media and how to build on these constructively
  • Getting to grips with "multimodality"
  • Developing children's critical skills through watching and analyzing moving image media
  • Broadening children's experiences of different kinds of media and their media literacy
  • Creative media activities that promote imaginative thinking and decision-making
  • The importance of social networking and social media, and how to develop this in the classroom

In an increasingly digital world, media education is an essential part of good teaching, not just as a tool to teach the more traditional aspects of the curriculum, but in its own right as an essential part of literacy.

This book is relevant to all teachers working in primary schools, and will be particularly helpful for literacy coordinators.

 
PART ONE: CULTURAL LEARNING
Liesbeth de Block
TV Talk and Children's Identities
Points for Practice: Reading Images 1

 
Jackie Marsh
Social Networking Practices in Homes and Schools
Points for Practice: Every Picture Tells a Story 1

 
Cary Bazalgette
Extending Children's Experience of Film
Resources: Finding Films to Watch

 
 
PART TWO: CRITICAL LEARNING
Geoff Dean
Rethinking Literacy
Points for Practice: Every Picture Tells a Story 2

 
Shakuntala Banaji
Analyzing Advertisements in the Classroom
Points for Practice: Reading Images 2

 
Christine Whitney
A Learning Journey
Points for Practice: Talking about a Film

 
 
PART THREE: CREATIVE LEARNING
Becky Parry
Helping Children Tell the Stories in Their Heads
Points for Practice: Film Adaptations, Book Adaptations

 
Guy Merchant
Social Media and Primary School Children
Case Study 1: Alternate Reality in the Classroom

 
Tim Brook
Digital Glue: Creative Media in the Classroom
Case Study 2: Peterborough's Film Experience

 

'Cary Bazalgette has produced a handy source book of theory, practice, wisdom, and research, from a wide spectrum of approaches. For me, the best chapter in the book is by Christine Whitney, one of a group of local authority literacy advisors who might admit they have come late to media education, but who have nevertheless made very significant impacts on its practice and acceptance. Whitney describes her own progress as media educator and proseletyser - with a focus on film - with zeal and humour, and plenty of richly textured examples of practice...If we can't have a grown-up, 21st century definition of literacy, that includes all the dominant modes currently swirling around the ether, then we will continue to fail hundreds of thousands of children. Media education won't save the world, as Bazalgette says elsewhere (2011 - the Entitlement Project at

http:/www.manifestoformediaeducation.co.uk) but it can help radically reform an education system that just might' -
English Drama Media

'All primary teachers, English managers, advisors and consultants should read this book. Written in short, accessible chapters, it presents clearly the vital role of media studies in 21st century education. Rooted in best practice, a range of practitioner researchers, advisors and experienced media teachers present a compelling case for media education not just as an 'add on' to current literacy teaching, but as an integral part of language and communication in its own right' - English 4-11 Magazine

'Teaching Media in Primary Schools is not just readable and accessible- it's an enjoyable and informative text. This book is timely, expertly written, practical and insightful. I would go as far as to say that if this book is widely read in the sector, then there will no longer be just small pockets of sound practice in primary schools. Rather, this book will contribute to a more cohesive approach to media teaching in primary schools. It is the foremost practical guide in media education of its kind, and I would very much recommend this as essential reading for all primary school teachers and student teachers' -
The Media Education Research Journal


Researched thinking explains why media has a role to play in school life and why, as teachers, we shouldn't ignore what children are engaging with outside the classroom. Each chapter suggests why we should bring these experiences in to our lessons to enrich and enhance the curriculum.

Mrs Jane Morris
Faculty of Education (Carlisle), University of Cumbria
October 9, 2014

Provides good, up to date information. Good practical advice provided for professionals.

Mr Michael Green
Education , Canterbury Christ Church University
February 21, 2011

Practical resource that will support this area of our post graduate course.
A variety of issues are addressed including developing children's criticality and supporting creative approaches with ICT.

Elaine Haywood
School of Education, Nottingham Trent University
November 15, 2010

This book is very informative and practical for students undertaking Digital Movie Making and Animation. It also fits in nicely when we look at the power of Social Media.

Mrs Sharon Tonner
Primary Education, Dundee University
November 13, 2010

Sample Materials & Chapters

4: Rethinking Literacy


Cary Bazalgette

Cary Bazalgette is a freelance writer, researcher and consultant specializing in media education and media education research. She is the Chair of the Media Education Association, a member of the European Commission's Media Literacy Experts Group, a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), and a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Education, University of London. She worked at the British Film Institute from 1979 to 2007, including eight years (1999-2006) as Head of Education. More About Author

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ISBN: 9781849205764
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