Online+Social+Media

PAPER SHARE

** Project Title/Team Members ** Social Online Media and Middle School By: Alexandra Scheirer and Angela Cirucci **Key Ideas from the Literature** -Define MLE (pull from multiple readings from this semester to make one, cohesive definition for our purposes) - Simply utilizing technology in the classroom in NOT considered media literacy (NAMLE Key Principles) - According to Henry Jenkin’s MLE does not have to simply be concerned about who constructs media messages and how they are interpreted by the receiver (Thoman and Jolls) but can include using the media to sharpen life/work skills.Jenkins also recognizes that many times messages are constructed by user. Could this be the difference between Reed and Fox? - According to Buckingham, production does not always have to be video production. It can come in other forms of production like photography. - NAMLE’s response to the FCC claims MLE can be done without access (to the internet and/or to video production equipment) For this project, some or all of the definitions of MLE will come into play. ** Big Research Question ** - What are the differences and similarities between two middle school teachers, environments, and restrictions where one is able to implement a successful media literacy program and the other seemingly cannot? - Does Fox’s “critical thinking prompts” coincide with Henry Jenkin’s ideas on how to teach with play in the classroom? (Ex. Alternative history scenarios students write) - Why does Fox seem scared of losing control and/or controversy in the classroom? o Has he had problems with parents and/or student in the past or does he fear the possibility of a problem with a parent or student? o Does he ever use debates or open discussion in the classroom? o Do students give each other feedback on their work? (Especially in the speech class) - If Fox would include discussion/production would this be a model of media literacy as Thoman and Jolls envision it? - Fox claims he has limited access, how had Reed found a way to work around the access issue? - How does Reed’s program MySpace in Democracy work? Does Reed focus too much on controversy/fear/skepticism while teaching MLE? o Does he have the support of the principle/other teachers/ parents/ school board etc.? o Is he aligned with DML ideas? -Are there any differences in policy between Beeber and Phoenixville? -Does each teacher have different expectations of their students? Of themselves? -What kind of expectations does each school have for these teachers? For their curricula? -Did either of the teachers ever experience a seminar on MLE? If not how was Reed’s interest peeked? How much does Fox truly know about MLE? Do the teachers use their own ML curriculum? Do they use others? Is the MLE a whole separate section, or integrated into other subjects? ** Research Design/Methods and Approach to Analyzing the Data ** -The major design and methodology will include several classroom observation only sessions and a major interview with each of the two teachers (Greg Fox and Sam Reed) based on the observations and preliminary interviews. Follow-up interviews will be utilized if necessary.
 * Focus Questions to Explore **

-The data will be analyzed qualitatively only. What New Knowledge is Expected to Result? ** -New knowledge might include how teachers with limited access to technology can implement ML curriculum in the classroom that seems restrictive. -We may also be able to find out, on a very small scale, what kind of teaching speaks more to students/students enjoy more. ** Why this New Knowledge is Important ** -Will show that expensive tools may not be necessary for true MLE. What New Questions are Likely to Emerge **  ? -How can we help teachers learn to implement MLE? -How can traditional fears of teachers/parents/administrators be overcome by proponents of ML? -Is it possible to implement a pure media literacy curriculum?
 * - ** Might discover that teachers need to attend workshops on MLE in order to understand what it is and how it can be used in their classroom.
 * - ** Will help teachers truly learn how to implement simple MLE lesson plans.