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Best News- and Media-Literacy Resources for Students
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Help Students Critically Evaluate Media
Abridge News
Timely news app provides multiple views, encourages critical thinking
Bottom line: This free, streamlined app for consuming current news will get students thinking critically about multiple perspectives on each topic.
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.
ThinkCERCA
Well-structured lessons encourage deep analysis, thoughtful writing
Bottom line: This is a ready-to-go, research-backed resource that focuses intently on CCSS-aligned and AP-level critical reading and writing skills.
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
Browser extension adds layer of annotation and discussion to the web
Bottom line: Free, user-friendly tool opens up the web to in-context annotation and discussion.
Knowhere
News site aims to remove, expose political bias with mixed success
Bottom line: This site can make it easier to show students how news gets interpreted from multiple viewpoints, but teachers should encourage students to think critically about Knowhere itself.
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.
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.
Bad News
Modern, minimalist fake news game has players be the villains
Bottom line: Quick, fun, and to the point, this game gets at the social mechanics behind viral falsehoods.
BBC iReporter
Spot real stories, dodge fake news in cheeky media literacy sim
Bottom line: A refreshingly modern way for students to explore how to filter and interpret info and media during breaking news events.
Checkology Virtual Classroom
Go-to news literacy site is an excellent primer on media issues
Bottom line: With "fake news" a pressing concern, Checkology's literacy lessons offer essential, if not totally comprehensive, skills to help students evaluate sources.
Informable
Spot fake news, sharpen media literacy skills with speedy quizzes
Bottom line: A solid starting point to support critical-thinking habits and media literacy skills.
Genius
Collaborative tool lets users annotate songs, literature, web content
Bottom line: Students can collaboratively engage in the process of annotation and analysis with various texts -- both within the forum and on the web.
PolitiFact
Independent website fact-checks political statements
Bottom line: A tool to help students become independent thinkers and question what is said by those in positions of power.
The Republia Times
Unassuming editorial sim elegantly exposes the business of bias
Bottom line: What this game lacks in pizzazz it makes up for in smarts, and it's certain to get students thinking and talking about bias and media politics.
Truth or Fiction?
Foil fake news and viral rumors with fact-checking site
Bottom line: This can be a handy reference -- and a good model for critical thinking -- but it'll require some teacher scaffolding and guidance.
Give Students a Voice Through Media Remix and Creation
Edpuzzle
Crop, customize, and remix online video content with interactive tool
Bottom line: As a flipped classroom or student creation tool, there are lots of opportunities for use, but teachers will need to be creative if they want students to engage.
Explain Everything Whiteboard
Powerhouse tool for creating stellar multimedia presentations
Bottom line: Teachers and students can make dynamic presentations that involve different types of media in this innovative, fun app.
Skitch - Snap. Mark Up. Send.
Add a hint of fun to note-taking or annotating images
Bottom line: It's easy to annotate images and screenshots, take handwritten notes, and organize it all with Evernote.
MediaBreaker/Studios
Free video-remix tool boosts media literacy, presents some challenges
Bottom line: It's not without its challenges for teachers, but at its core MediaBreaker is an easy-to-use and free tool for teaching critical media-making and literacy.
Vidcode
Cool coding tool tuned to teen girls' passions aids creativity
Bottom line: Learn-to-code programs for youths often too narrowly define what can be done with code; Vidcode expands the options, helping girls see code's value in culture and express themselves.
Build Students' News Literacy With Trustworthy Sources
News-O-Matic EDU
Daily news stories and supplements keep elementary schoolers current
Bottom line: This highly useful current events platform can be a daily fixture of elementary school classrooms.
News-2-You
Draw kids into weekly news with powerful symbols and voice narration
Bottom line: Students can expand literacy skills, learn about the world, and get involved with discussion questions and activities.
Newsela
Great stories, just-right leveled reading; now mostly by subscription
Bottom line: Up-to-date, high-interest articles will meet students right at their level, and help teachers bolster students' nonfiction reading skills.
PBS NewsHour Extra
Trusted news brand's current events site could pique teens' interest
Bottom line: This isn't going to necessarily excite students, but the high-quality content is credible and timely and should support interesting discussions.
The Learning Network
Process current events through engaging NYT-style lens
Bottom line: From a trusted news organization with its finger on the pulse of the world, this free resource can be a reliable source of activities and ideas for current event discussions.
Bites Media
Teen-centered news site reliably breaks down complex current events
Bottom line: There's a ton of trusted info packed into these news round-ups offering great prep for discussion, but more rigorous assessments will be up to you.
NPR News
Top-notch digital content takes students beyond the airwaves
Bottom line: Provides an easy, fun, and effective way to engage students with radio.
The New York Times
Easy access to news, but most content is available only to subscribers
Bottom line: Provides an easy-to-use news resource, but only section front pages are accessible without a subscription.
