- Romoland School District
- Homepage
Media Literacy as a Focus in Digital Citizenship
As Romoland School District continues its focus on Digital Citizenship, one area that is increasingly in the limelight is Media Literacy. In recent years, the state of California passed Senate Bill 830, also known as the Media Literacy Law. The law states that resources will be provided to educators to effectively teach students how to navigate the internet. Media Literacy can be specifically defined as how teachers educate students on being able to think critically online while extracting information or producing products digitally.
The law was developed from a 2016 Stanford University study that found many students are unable to tell the difference between factual and fictional information on the internet. Therefore, educators are now looked upon as a model for students in deciphering the complexity of information on the internet. One way the state of California is helping support educators to become model experts is by providing resources within a digital databank. This databank helps support teachers and other educators to guide students through a safe and responsible way of consuming media within websites and social media. As the internet continues to become the main source of news and information, it’s essential that students learn the skills to engage in a digital society responsibly.
One resource that stands out from the compilation of resources is KQED’s free Micro Credentialing program. These programs allow educators to work through topics based on Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship. They also help develop lesson plans that can be implemented within any classroom, no matter what grade level or subject area. Interested in working through Media Literacy Microcredentials and supporting student efficacy online? Access the free program at teach.kqed.org.