To live in a media saturated world

Hi Bethany,

Communication is the heart of arts.

Media can be in print or electronic form: radio, TV, newspaper, magazines, and signs - Thus a world saturated by media.

Mass media often is aimed at an intended audience.   Evening news programs, have predetermined orders in which stories are shown, for example the feel good story to end the program.  We need to be able to teach children to think critically – to look deeper into what they are seeing and hearing.  Looking at the what, who, how and why will aid in the teaching of critical thinking.

As teachers we use all forms of media, most common is print, but if you have a smart board then the Internet gives you endless media forms to use within your classroom. 

The idea of filming a picture book is fantastic – a whole class activity where every student can have a role.  From choosing the picture book, to the narrator, the camera crew,  and those in charge of sound effects.  The camera crew have to discuss what angles they want, and the cropping involved once completed.  As Greenwood (2003) states defining each students role within the crew is vital.  Without guidance in thier roles a group either stalls or becomes confused as individual visions are voiced. Being aware that the narrator has to be heard, the sound effects team will discuss what and where the instruments will be used.

Filming a picture book without text just illustrations, for example Flotsam by David Wiesner, would be extraordinary. The students could then create the narrative in small groups within a literacy lesson and then film the book with sounds and narration.  Another story book that would produce interesting sounds is Press Here by Herve Tullet it does have text, but the illustrations are coloured dots on the page.

AMY

Greenwood, D. (2003) Action! In the classroom.  A guide to student produced digital video in K-12 Education. United States of America: Rowman & Littlefield Education.