Synergy: News Literacy

News literacy is a set of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and dispositions that helps people process news and media communications. News literate consumers are able to locate factual, credible information, distinguish fact from opinion, evaluate the quality of news sources, and explore multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions. Finally, they understand the role of freedom of speech in a democracy and the need for ethics in journalism.

Read a couple recently published children’s books, then learn more at the website:

GUARDIANS OF LIBERTY: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND THE NATURE OF NEWS by Linda Barrett Osborne explores two centuries of the guarantees expressed in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Using examples throughout American history, the author explores how freedom of the press has evolved and the challenges caused by new technologies. From the Civil Rights Movement and the Student Press to fake news, each chapter explores a key idea through the use of text, historical photos, pull-quotes, and primary source documents.

BREAKING THE NEWS: WHAT’S REAL, WHAT’S NOT, AND WHY THE DIFFERENCE MATTERS by Robin Terry Brown is intended to help readers become responsible users of the media. Chapters examine the history of news, making of news, misinformation and the media today. The book concludes by providing ideas for seeking the truth and thoughts about the future of news. The colorful images and interesting text will attract young readers.

The NEWS LITERACY PROJECT is a nonpartisan, nonprofit providing resources for educators that encourage learners to be active and engaged consumers of news and information. The educator section offers an online learning platform called Checkology and lots of classroom materials.

To visit the website, go to https://newslit.org/.

ARC courtesy of Abrams and National Geographic.

Website: AllSides

ALLSIDES is a nonprofit website focusing on balanced news and civil discourse.

The website is divided into sections focusing on different aspects of the news and educational resources to help youth differentiate fact from fake news and information.

The Balanced News area of the website provides news from the left, right, and center, stories of the week, issues, and the website’s editorial philosophy.

The Media Bias section explores how media bias can be rated and ideas for rating others and examining your own biases.

The Balanced Search engine provides resources on topics from the perspective of the left, center, and right.

The Balanced Dictionary explores controversial terms from abortion to Zionism. Users can browse terms, explore by letter, or read comments. There’s also a lesson plan for using the resource.

The Discussion area explores ways to engage in civil discourse and helps students connect with people of different backgrounds.

The Schools area provides resources for educators including news, lessons, and teaching materials.

Librarians will find the resources at this website can easily be woven into information literacy activities across the curriculum.

To visit the website, go to https://www.allsides.com.

Website: BBC iReporter

The BBC IREPORTER is an interactive game designed to help students explore the importance of fact checking.

In this online interactive educational game, users become journalists while learning about the benefits and pitfalls of using social media to collect information.

A teacher’s guide provides a series of lessons, exercises, and other learning materials to guide and extend the interactive experience.

Librarians will find this interactive to be an engaging tool in teaching media literacy skills. Youth will particularly enjoy the fast-paced, video and audio enhanced format of the interactive.

To visit the interactive, go to https://bbc.in/2LDkvyj.
To visit the teacher’s guide, go to https://bbc.in/2wvmaR8.

Website: Newseum Ed

The NEWSEUM Ed website provides free learning tools focusing on media literacy and the First Amendment freedoms.

The website includes sections exploring educational tools, collections, ideas, an online community, and professional development classes. Users can search for primary sources, lesson plans, activities, and other resources.

The EdCollections section explores important topics in-depth using primary sources and interactive tools. Topics include public safety, civil rights movement, women’s suffrage movement, political campaigns, and more.

The EdIdeas area provides tips, classroom ideas, collection highlights, and breaking news. It features primary sources and media literacy activities connected with current and historical events.

The Media Literacy section focuses specifically on fighting fake news and developing student media literacy skills. The resources include activities, lessons, case studies, and guest blog posts.

Librarians will find this resource filled with useful lesson plans and other learning resources that can be woven across the curriculum. Suggest the online resources as an all-school professional development activity to promote media literacy.

To visit the website, go to https://newseumed.org/.

Website: ABC Media Literacy

MEDIA LITERACY from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation contains educational materials related to media literacy.

The ABC Education website includes sections focusing on News Challenge, Questioning, News, Understanding News, and Making News. Although designed for an Australian audience, most of the materials can easier be adapted for a global audience.

The For Teachers section contains teaching and learning materials associated with the website activities such as a source checker and fake news interactive. It also links to other useful media literacy resources.

Librarians will find the website particularly useful in providing a more global perspective on issues such as fake news. Youth will enjoy the online interactive.

To visit the website, go to http://www.abc.net.au/education/media-literacy/.