Teaching Media in Primary Schools

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 analysing 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 use these 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 Co-ordinators.

Table of Contents:
PART ONE: CULTURAL LEARNING TV Talk and Children′s Identities - Liesbeth de Block Points for Practice: Reading Images 1 Social Networking Practices in Homes and Schools - Jackie Marsh Points for Practice: Every Picture Tells a Story 1 Extending Children′s Experience of Film - Cary Bazalgette Resources: Finding Films to Watch PART TWO: CRITICAL LEARNING Rethinking Literacy - Geoff Dean Points for Practice: Every Picture Tells a Story 2 Analyzing Advertisements in the Classroom - Shakuntala Banaji Points for Practice: Reading Images 2 A Learning Journey - Christine Whitney Points for Practice: Talking about a Film PART THREE: CREATIVE LEARNING Helping Children Tell the Stories in Their Heads - Becky Parry Points for Practice: Film Adaptations, Book Adaptations Social Media and Primary School Children - Guy Merchant Case Study 1: Alternate Reality in the Classroom Digital Glue: Creative Media in the Classroom - Tim Brook Case Study 2: Peterborough′s Film Experience

About the Author :
Cary Bazalgette is a freelance researcher, writer and consultant specializing in media education development; she is Chair of the Media Education Association and a member of the European Commission′s Media Literacy Experts′ Group.

Review :
′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