Media literacy can be quite the buzzword these days, right? I mean, it’s like everyone is talking about fake news and misinformation, but what’s the big deal, really? Well, according to Higgin, the goal of media literacy is actually something we can all get behind. He mentioned some stats from Media Literacy Now that said a whopping 84% of adults believe that media literacy should be a mandatory part of school. And get this, a study from the News Literacy Project found that 94% of teens are on board too. So, it seems like we can all agree that we want kids to be smart, critical thinkers, right?

Despite all this support, a lot of teachers out there are scratching their heads, wondering how to actually tackle the topic, especially in today’s polarized climate. Beddes pointed out that most teachers don’t have a background in media studies, and they might feel a bit uneasy about broaching controversial subjects. This discomfort can often lead to media literacy taking a back seat in the classroom. But fear not, the Center for Digital Thriving is here to save the day with some resources to help educators take a neutral, student-led approach. They offer lesson plans that are ready to go and even provide teacher training to boot.

Now, media literacy isn’t just about dissecting content; it’s also about getting students to talk about what they’re seeing and feeling, especially when they don’t see eye to eye. Saltwick highlighted the fact that many folks are hesitant to share their views, especially if they think they’re in the minority. But, with a few simple techniques, you can really get a solid dialogue going where all perspectives are heard. He recommends using a structured approach to these conversations, like his LAPP technique — Listen, Acknowledge, Pivot, Perspective. It’s all about showing respect, even when you disagree. It’s not about who’s right or wrong; it’s about understanding each other’s point of view.

Beddes chimed in with her two cents, noting that having a clear structure can help students navigate those tricky discussions. She provides sentence stems to help them express curiosity and respond without stirring up conflict. In her classroom, she also uses the Dignity Index, a tool that evaluates the tone of speech to ensure that arguments are grounded in mutual respect. And when media literacy conversations start touching on identity, things can get real tricky. Higgin pointed out that false beliefs and conspiracy theories can become intertwined with people’s identities, making it super challenging to untangle. That’s why he believes that media literacy shouldn’t just be about skills; it needs to focus on building character and social-emotional learning too.