Better integration of all media were Jason Manning's parting words as he addressed the Reynolds Institute fellows Thursday morning. Manning is the ASU Student Media Director and provided insightful information about where we are now and where we are heading in terms of media storytelling.
In order to be successful, Manning said we must incorporate media literacy lessons into current high school instruction, especially as it relates to digital media. I wholeheartedly agree with him. Many of our students know all the ins and outs of their cellular phones, but when it comes to formal instruction and computer programs which will aid them in their future careers, they simply don't have nor get these skills. Granted, many schools don't have the resources to provide such curricula. However, too many times teachers themselves don't know how to utilize media in their classroom and therefore don't push students to learn it.
During Manning's presentation, he also showed a great piece of media named EPIC. Although a few years old and based purely on fiction, it is an accurate representation of what COULD one day happen.
It is definitely something to think about.
Marc Garcia
Sunset High School
Dallas, TX
Posts
The EPIC video will be shown in my class. Especially teaching media. It's scary out there in the information world. I appreciated what was said about when people are anonymous they say whatever they want; put a name to it and people shape up fast.
ReplyDeleteSourcing, where is the information coming from?
Who is telling us what?
That's a hell of a skill to teach our students.
What I found interesting about the EPIC video is that although I could "feel" that this was a fictional piece, I mean, it had to be, it was set in 2014, right?
ReplyDeleteBut what was interesting was that I could not easily tell when the information began to transition from the truth to fiction.
I'm certainly no tech geek, but I like to think that I am a minor technophile.
The fact that I could not easily detect the transition only strengthens the video's point about the power for a ubiquitous entity to convince an audience of half-truths and rumor.
Kye Haina
Kamehameha Schools Maui
Pukalani, Hawai'i
I just want to point out, as I did in class, the EPIC logo. Notice how the cast shadow has the Pi symbol. There is something always subtle about good design, an element of surprise. Good requires good design; good planning. Both demand creativity, critical thinking and the goal of communicating a message. It is not only about telling a story, it is about how you tell it.
ReplyDeleteA Rosenthal
The Hockaday School
Dallas, Tx