"Teaching about Intersections of Disability, Gender, and Sexuality through Media Literacy Education"

The media used to portray people with disabilities as grotesque monsters whose gender and sexuality were rendered ambiguous. Even today, media representations of disability might still contain ideologies of normalcy that reinforce power imbalances when people with disabilities are represented as gendered, sexual, and attractive. It is, therefore, necessary to critically engage with portrayals of people with disabilities, especially in cases when they are represented as gendered and/or sexually attractive. In this paper we argue that strategies of media literacy education appear to be well suited for this purpose. Using five key questions of media literacy education, we demonstrate how structured media analysis can help viewers uncover dominant ideologies embedded in seemingly improved media texts.... [read more]

"Social Media Literacy as an IEP Intervention for Social and Emotional Learning"

Media literacy and special education communities have largely ignored the impact of digital media use on special education students with Autism spectrum disorder and Emotional and Behavioral Disorder. This paper investigates the possibility of using social media literacy education as part of an individualized education plan (IEP) intervention for improving the social and emotional learning outcomes of students with disabilities. Using the example of a “provocative selfie” as a form of media production and consumption, this paper provides a framework for using the NAMLE key questions to teach specific CASEL Social and Emotional (SEL) competencies and address IEP goals and objectives of students with social and emotional deficits... [read more]

"US lacks media literacy education in public schools"

Curriculum requirements for high school students in the U.S. encompass the full range of knowledge required to enter adulthood as an informed, functioning citizen. Obvious general education requirements established around core subjects such as math, science, history and English are to be expected, but additional subject matter in the areas of personal finance, health and practical arts have also been deemed crucial for successful participation in adult life.

So where is media literacy in the public education system in the U.S.?

At a time when children have access to multiple forms of media as young as one and two years old, there is a glaring hole in the media literacy toolkit of American students.... [read more]

"ASU fails to differentiate instruction for adult learners"

With the growing credibility of online degree programs, post-secondary student populations are diversifying rapidly as more and more older adults return to school than ever before. Students age 25 and older saw a 42 percent increase from 2000 to 2010, and another 20 percent increase is expected by the year 2020. For ASU, nearly 20 percent of their student body falls into this demographic.

This new wave of nontraditional learners bring exceptionally diverse and often highly specialized backgrounds, characteristics which have prompted extensive research focused on the learning styles of different aged students... [read more]

"Media headlines minimize veteran mistreatment by VA"

At a time when studies show that only 40 percent of Americans who read the news actually make it past the headline, the mainstream media has an even greater civic responsibility to tell the whole story from headline to conclusion.

After a report by the Veteran's Health Administration Office of the Inspector General surrounding the most recent Department of Veterans Affairs scandal cited poor quality of care for veterans through Phoenix Healthcare Systems, media outlets such as the New York Times reported on the findings with the headline, “No Link Found for Deaths and Veterans’ Care Delays,” omitting any and all implication of wrongdoing on the part of the VA.

The nationally recognized media outlet’s headline seemed to completely ignore the findings summarized in the first paragraph of the Inspector General’s report which stated, “We have substantiated that significant delays in access to care negatively impacted the quality of care at this medical facility.”

Unfortunately, the New York Times wasn’t the only offender... [read more]

"Santa Fe Workshops Review"

If you have been in the photography industry for any length of time, you know there are an excessive number of photography-related workshops available to the general public. This fact begs the question – which ones are worth your hard earned dollar and likely very limited “free time”?

My quick answer: go where the pros go. Because quite frankly, the big name professionals are less likely to associate themselves with frivolous, lack luster workshops, and (the obvious reason) they’ve got the knowledge and experience you want.

Enter: Santa Fe Photographic Workshops in Santa Fe, New Mexico... [read more]