Because Unfortunately, "Because I Say So," Is Not Enough

School districts, especially those struggling to make AYP, often focus their energy and funding on core subjects and methodology intensified on the “basics.” This focus, in return, leaves little to no room for developing curriculum that is not traditional or standard. Sad. Naturally the first things to go are the arts. While language arts, my particular content area, is within those traditional and necessary subjects, it is only so if it is considered “English.” The subject of English has taken on the characteristics that of including grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing, etc. However, the English class I want to teach, of course includes such characteristics, but is definitely not limited to that. English does not have to be simply “basic.” It can and should include these basic elements, but it should be creative and innovative. Media studies is an excellent way to incorporate the new with the old. Students will develop new literacies, while further developing their “basic” skills.

The current school district, for which I am employed, truly lacks the resources for new technologies. We have basic computers and software, but new resources are not actually what we need. A lot of the issues surrounding the technology in our building are due to lack of education of the technology at hand. This absolutely includes the student population. To a large number of students at this school, computer, cell phone, video and Internet literacy (as well as a host of others), is almost foreign. Yet, each class is required to have computer time for 30 minutes, three times a week. What are these kids doing in there? Do they have the necessary skills to benefit from this computer time? What is interesting here, although not surprising, is that each child in this school (seriously) is overly consumed by and involved with computers, the Internet, television and the movies. They’re kids, they live for this stuff. Especially now seeing as this generation has been dubbed the “media generation.” There is no escaping this. Since these students are already engrossed in media, why in the world should we not teach them about it, how to use it, and how to learn from it?

The current curriculum for language arts in my school is a reading program aimed at advancing “behind” readers into their grade level. A curriculum like this is by the book, must be followed to a “T,” not flexible. Boring. And it is boring to these students. However, it does seem to be producing results attractive to the school board, and the kids feel good about their progress too. But seriously..this is not all we should offer our students a means of language arts. The reading program is dull, repetitive and not engaging at all. I know, I teach it. Sorry. If it is “necessary” that we teach this program for the good of our students, can we not at least integrate something into it to make it more fun, engaging and creative for our students (and the teachers for goodness sake). I truly believe connecting media studies with the program would be extremely beneficial.

We as educators should be worried about students acquiring the skills seen as “basic,” but that does not mean the way we teach them has to be. For example, instead of each child having to write a 5-7-sentence paragraph response on paper to what they have read for reading class, why don’t they keep an ongoing Internet blog of responses? See, when you keep things electronically, there is no justification for “I forgot it on the bus,” or “I lost it.” Not to mention that I would not then have 25 papers to keep track of. Not only would students have the opportunity to use the technology and media they crave, but also they can use it for educational purposes. My guess is some of them may even forget they are doing their dreaded homework because they are enjoying what they are doing all while learning about new literacies and practicing an essay format. If done right, teaching about media and it’s technology can incorporate foundation courses and necessary skills.

The population and community I work with is very interested in media and technology, and I think education on and of such technology could only be beneficial. Honestly, it’s like killing two birds with one stone, if you will. I want my students to know the “basics” of language arts. Seriously, comma splices are terrible. Knowledge of such skills is essential in and out of the classroom. Media studies can further develop such skills. Such studies only encourage critical thinking. Essentially, isn’t this what we are after? Media studies can incorporate creativity and innovativeness with any subject matter. What if instead of writing papers and turning them in only to receive them back covered in red ink, could turn into a wiki that is accessed by all members of class containing feedback from peers?

I won’t bore you with statistics; truth is I would probably mix up the numbers anyhow. However, it is undeniable that media today consumes children. Children spend more than 25% of their day watching T.V., movies, playing on the Internet and what have you. Anyone want to place bets that that percentage is going to go up? Come on, I have student loans to pay. Nowadays, children often access more than one media outlet at a time. They multitask. If we are so concerned about literacy, why don’t we incorporate new and upcoming literacies into the mix? What a well-rounded education! Doing so is a fantastic way to reach out to students and engage them in what they need to know. It doesn’t have to be boring. Incorporating media studies is a great way to address these new, unavoidable literacies. It is because they are unavoidable that it is in fact important to address them. Our students need the appropriate skills to navigate and intelligently interpret what is going on in the world. By teaching such skills, students are using invaluable critical thinking skills that can be adapted to almost anything, inside or outside the classroom. An education that is applicable and relevant to the outside world is what everyone deserves.

Media studies is the perfect complement to “basic” education, it only further develops traditional and standard language arts curriculum. A media literacy content would prove to engage children in what we actually want them to learn, not deter from it. Media studies are relevant, applicable, and important. It builds necessary skills, allows for more critical thinking and viewing of the world around us, and encourages and embraces different learning styles. Let us not forget it also encourages creativity.

What do I want and hope to learn from this course? I would like to learn appropriate yet, creative ways to use media in the classroom. How can I adapt lessons in language arts in such a manner, and what kinds of tools can I, and my students use?