Media Literacy Lessons
Project Look Sharp
Mighty media literacy resources powered by inquiry-based approach
Bottom Line: A thoughtfully-created collection of tools for teaching media literacy across the curriculum.
ThinkCERCA
Structured literacy program inspires deep analysis, thoughtful writing
Bottom Line: This is an expertly scaffolded and pedagogically sound resource for developing critical reading and writing skills.
Get Media L.I.T.
Vibrant, quality comics anchor basic but good media literacy lessons
Bottom Line: The comics are impressive and the lessons provide useful conversation starters, but they'll likely need to be supplemented with additional material to be effective.
KQED Learn
Civic discussion site encourages media literacy and deep thinking
Bottom Line: This platform features excellent videos students will enjoy discussing, but teachers will need to prep students to make quality contributions.
StoryMaker
Comprehensive civic media site supports youth voice and creativity
Bottom Line: This is a site that offers both actionable resources and an active community for student voice and civic engagement.
CTRL-F
Up-to-date, expert-backed news literacy program builds needed skills
Bottom Line: These trusted lessons, a great fit for middle school, empower students to approach media more intentionally, but teachers might need to adapt.
Digital Civics Toolkit
Superb, timely civics lessons focus on social media and student voice
Bottom Line: For teachers looking to make civics relevant to students, there's nothing else out there as extensive or relevant.
Fandom Forward
Pop culture site promotes social justice critique, activism
Bottom Line: This site offers smart, fun resources for exploring the layers of meaning in media and finding causes to fight for.
Media Literacy Games and Activities
DocsTeach
Historical texts, interactive activities can promote critical thinking
Bottom Line: This text-rich app encourages students to conduct their own analysis of history, but the formats and graphics may prevent them from making a thorough analysis.
Most Likely Machine
Interactive experience quickly exposes algorithms
Bottom Line: This is an effective and well-designed intro to the dangers of algorithms and how we have to approach them with care.
NewsFeed Defenders
Social media simulation builds news literacy skills
Bottom Line: This is a great tool to kick off critical discussions about news and social media.
Thinkalong
Civics site offers a PBS-guided approach to thoughtful debate
Bottom Line: This is a powerful framework for building critical media literacy, but teachers might need to bring in some extra perspectives.
Media Literacy Tools and Resources
Pixton
Popular comics platform centers students' creativity
Bottom Line: Platform can motivate students to share subject knowledge in a way that blends art and literacy.
Edpuzzle
Crop, customize, and remix online video content with interactive tool
Bottom Line: As a tool for the flipped classroom or for student-led creation, a cool tool for teachers to create and share engaging video content.
Screencastify
Screen-recording tool facilitates outside-of-the-box instruction
Bottom Line: This is an instructional tool that could reinvent classroom workflow, especially for classrooms in the Google ecosystem.
Digital Public Library of America
Organized digital library features piles of useful primary resources
Bottom Line: DPLA is at the top of the list of high-grade, online primary source collections if teachers make effective use of what's on offer.
Hypothes.is
Tool makes webpages and digital texts spaces of critique, discussion
Bottom Line: This tool opens up digital text and the web to analysis, annotation, and discussion, whether inside a classroom or with the world.
Photoshop Express Photo Editor
Top-notch photo editor helps perfect pics for creative projects
Bottom Line: This is a powerful, free creation tool from the industry leader in photo editing.
Sutori
Build timelines, embed media with cool storytelling tool
Bottom Line: With a super-simple design and tons of flexible features, this is an appealing and intuitive way for teachers and students to organize and share class content.
ThingLink
One-of-a-kind tool lets you add content, context to media
Bottom Line: With a growing set of unique features and multiplatform support, this is a neat way to reimagine how to present and share info -- for a price.
Miro
Interactive whiteboard lets users brainstorm, organize, and collaborate
Bottom Line: This beautiful and collaborative platform is useful for everything from workflow tasks to creative expression.
Critical Media Project
Relevant media clips get students examining identity, culture
Bottom Line: Teachers will need to take time to build effective lessons, but if they do, this is a useful, relevant, high-interest resource for deconstructing identity and building critical thinking and empathy skills.
Gimp
Free, full-featured photo and image editing app impressive, daunting
Bottom Line: It's a great choice for students and teachers with needs beyond simple tweaking, cropping, and color correction, but requires significant self-directed learning.
