INDEX TO THIS EDITION:

• CENTERpieces: news from/about the CML
• RESOURCES: check out our diverse collection of new media production titles
• READING ROOM: case study, review of Between the Lines, and LA Times article
• CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: media literacy in McRel national standards
• CALENDAR: graduate course in media literacy offered on-line!
• CML's NEW ADDRESS

1. CML STRIKES SECOND ALLIANCE WITH MAJOR EDUCATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR

As a sign of media education's growth in the United States, CML is pleased to announce a second strategic marketing alliance with Teacher's Discovery, a leading producer, creator, and distributor of educational materials headquartered in Auburn Hills, MI. CML-screened and endorsed products will soon be carried in the diverse collection of subject-based Teacher's Discovery catalogs. And aside from the excellent customer service that Teacher's Discovery will provide -- this new relationship will enable CML to spread the word about media literacy through attendance at key national educational conferences. It will also allow the Center to help teachers and other authors develop quality educational materials through the production of original media literacy products and resources. Read the full press release at: http://www.medialit.org/pr_111201.html

2. CML RECEIVES NEA/U.S. DEPT. OF EDUCATION GRANT

In its first round of federal funding for media education, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have selected "Project SmartArt" as one of 20 nationally-funded projects addressing media literacy and the arts. Partnering with Los Angeles Unified School District (Leo Politi Elementary School), the Education Division of the Music Center of Los Angeles County, and AnimAction, Inc., a Los Angeles-based animation education company, CML helped create and design this year-long project to train teachers and students in critical thinking abilities, the arts, and media production skills using animation. A family festival, in which students and teachers will showcase their work for parents and family members will conclude the program for 2001-2002.

3. WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE HELD ON FAITH-BASED MEDIA LITERACY

On August 30th, CML Founder, Chair and CPO, Elizabeth Thoman joined an impressive group of media literacy experts, drug prevention leaders and members of the faith community at a Roundtable on Faith, Media Literacy and Youth Drug Prevention at the White House Conference Center in Washington, D.C. Organized by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign of the President's Office of National Drug Control Policy, this bi-partisan project identifies faith communities as ideal settings for the implementation of drug prevention programs. The campaign seeks to provide non-denominational materials and support for faith leaders across the country to integrate drug prevention and media literacy into their ministries. This meeting was a follow-up to a June gathering that kicked off the media literacy/faith component of the anti-drug campaign. Visit http://www.the antidrug.com to view the website formulated out of that initial session. Attendees from the Alliance for a Media Literate Am! erica included: Rose Pacatte, Teresa Blythe, David Considine, LaTanya Bailey Jones, Beth Merry and Gretchen Hailer.

4. CALIFORNIA MEDICAL CENTER HOSTS MEDIA VIOLENCE CONFERENCE

As part of an October 11th conference on media and violence in our culture, CML President and CEO, Tessa Jolls, gave a presentation on "Violence and the Media, A Vital Discourse." The full-day program was designed to increase participants' awareness and understanding of the interplay between media, family and community violence with topics including adolescent sexuality, electronic media and child abuse, gender roles -- and a panel discussion on ways to positively influence the media. A key objective was to relate how to read media images with a critical and discerning eye. Jackson Katz, Founder and Director of Mentors in Violence Prevention Strategies -- and author of the CML-endorsed video, Tough Guise, also spoke on "Violence, Media & the Crisis in Masculinity."

A FOCUS ON MEDIA PRODUCTION

Teacher (and student) guides to film and video production have never been more varied as in our new lineup of titles listed below. From girl directors to history documentaries to issues of social change and reform -- there's no better time to introduce this engaging activity into the classroom. Media production extends across curricular subjects and really motivates students not only to develop production skills -- but also to explore different subject matter in creative and critical ways. Two provocative video resources on the media's portrayal of girls, and the use of persuasive advertising techniques, round out the November collection of CML product previews.

• "How to Make Your Own Great Videos With Just a Camcorder" is an upbeat, award-winning guide to video-making. In showing kids actually performing all phases of production, it's a great model for creating student-produced projects.
• "Active Video" is a unique guidebook emphasizing skill-building through the production process versus the completed product. Also provides video-based lessons in areas such as math, science, social studies and language arts.
• "Creating History Documentaries" enables teachers to engage students through hands-on history documentary production which "bring the past to life" in the social studies classroom.
• "Lights, Camera, Action!" not only serves as a comprehensive guide for turning the classroom into a video production studio -- it also offers ideas for creating different television genres such as commercials, drama, music videos, documentaries, news, and more.
• "Turn on the Power!" provides a hands-on orientation to video production from the perspective of creating segments on social change and community advocacy.
• "What a Girl Wants" is a powerful new video documentary involving interviews with girls and young women about how they feel they're depicted by the media.
• "Advertising: The Art of Persuasion" is another engaging video featuring lively and articulate conversation between the host, 20 middle/high school kids and an advertising professional on issues such as product placement, logo "branding," and ads on the Internet.

1. CASE STUDY ON MEDIA LITERACY IN THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL SETTING

In order to develop original curriculum and substantiate media literacy's effectiveness in the K-12 classroom, CML plans to develop a series of case studies on various media education programs and projects. Our first case focuses on successful media literacy implementation at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic School and Parish.

The abstract is posted below and a full draft can be accessed at: http://www.medialit.org/ReadingRoom/casestudies/cs_olm.html

Abstract: For three years, from 1999 to 2001, a media literacy pilot program was successfully instituted at Our Lady of Malibu School and Parish (OLM) in Malibu, CA. Components included: grade-specific lesson plans in Consumerism, Representation and Violence Prevention; a 7th grade video project, newspaper article production and an animation workshop for 5th to 8th-grade students. This case study describes how media literacy supports values-oriented education and outlines key steps toward creating a solid roster of instruction and activities. OLM is presented as a model for all schools for how to integrate media education in ways that are empowering for children, manageable for teachers, and supportive of essential critical-thinking processes. The Center for Media Literacy consulted on the project and will use lessons learned in the development of new programs and curriculum. A primary goal is to formally integrate media education into Diocesan educational curriculum.

2. 'BETWEEN THE LINE' RECEIVES GLOWING REVIEW

In the October, 2001 issue of International Society for Technology in Education's magazine, Learning & Leading With Technology, a very positive review of the software title Between the Lines is included in which the product is called "delightfully solid and definitely exciting--not the excitement of glitz, but real educational potential."

Between the Lines can be found on the CML web site.

Check out the full review in CML's on-line catalog at: http://www.medialit.org/Catalog/auxcatpgs/review_btlines.html

3. LA TIMES ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF MEDIA LITERACY

CML President, Tessa Jolls, is quoted in an excellent October 31st LA Times article titled, "Time For a Refresher Course in Media Literacy." The piece focuses on watching television with a critical eye and explores issues such as the media's presentation of tragic events, controversial reality-show production decisions, and network self-promotion practices. It also provides a clear definition of media literacy and actually cites CML as playing a "valuable role" in spreading the word about media education! Get the full story from The Los Angeles Times' website at: http://www.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Search-X!ArticleDetail-45984,00.html

MCREL STANDARDS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MEDIA LITERACY

At long last! In a move lending weight to media literacy as a valid, formalized area of study within K - 12 education, the major strands of language arts standards listed by McRel (http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/standard.asp?SubjectID=7) have increased from the traditional four of writing, reading, listening and speaking -- to six. The two new standards, viewing and media involve, " (Using) viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media," and "(Understanding) the characteristics and components of the media." This is a major step forward for media literacy instruction -- and it's finally on a national, versus state-wide or local perspective.

For background leading up to these national standards, take a look at a fascinating 1999 article written by Robert Kubey and Frank Baker in Education Week on how media literacy has been incorporated into state curricular frameworks. Titled, "Has Media Literacy Found a Curricular Foothold?" -- it can be found at Baker's Media Literacy Clearinghouse website at: http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=09ubey2.h19&keywords=media%20literacy

GRADUATE COURSE IN MEDIA LITERACY OFFERED ON-LINE

As follow-up to the highly successful course taught last spring, another on-line graduate class in media literacy is being offered by Dr. David Considine at Appalachian State University. The 3 hour course will run from mid-January through early May, 2002 -- and will engage students in critical analysis of several different media formats such as photo journalism, picture books, motion pictures, advertising and broadcast news. Offered through the university's Office of Extension and Distance Education, all questions regarding registration and fees should be directed to them at: 800-355-4084. The course name is Media Literacy and the code is CI 5830-375. Student evaluations of the previous class are described as extremely positive and can be found at the program website: www.ci.appstate.edu/programs/edmedia/medialit. Dr. Considine is the author of Visual Messages: Integrating Imagery Into Instruction. He is a member of the board of directors of The Alliance for a Media Literate! America and is chair of the 2003 AMLA national conference.

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The CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY is a non-profit organization established to promote critical thinking about the media and to provide leadership, training and resources for media education in schools, religious and community organizations. In the global media culture of the 21st century, we believe in "empowerment through education" for children, young people and adults. We rely on tax-deductible grants and individual donations to sustain and expand our work. Thank you for your support.

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS EFFECTIVE SEPT. 1, 2001: