PBS Announces Free Media Literacy Micro-Credentials for PreK-12 Educators

WHO & WHAT: PBS and KQED have announced new media literacy micro-credentials, as part of their media literacy certification program. PreK-12 educators who are interested in recognition for their media literacy skills can earn certification by completing 8 free micro-credentials.

WHY: According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education, a media literate person is defined as one who possesses the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using all forms of communication. By building on the foundations of traditional literacy, media literacy becomes a practical skill that allows educators to contribute to conversations and communities of practice. Developing and honing these skills across all forms of media and communication are especially important for students in today’s classrooms.

WHERE: Educators can earn micro-credentials on Digital Promise’s website. Visit kqed.org/certification to get started.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: PreK-12 educators can earn the certification by completing the following stack of 8 micro-credentials** (candidates complete either MC 7 or 8, depending on their teaching context):

1. Evaluating Online Information

Ability to use, as well as to instruct others to use, online tools to access valid and credible resources relevant to specific inquiry by:

• Effectively assessing the accuracy and quality of information.
• Critically examining how the same topic is addressed by different sources, at different times and in different media forms.

2. Analyzing Media

Ability to analyze and evaluate media, as well as instruct others to do the same, specifically with respect to how production choices influence media messages by:

• Critically examining how the media creator’s perspective, purpose, intended audience and authority impact the media’s credibility, form and message.
• Critically examining how media is constructed (i.e. production techniques, frame of reference, portrayal of people and places, visual design, image manipulation, etc.) and how those elements contribute to the way media is understood and acted upon.

3. Creating a Code of Conduct

Clearly communicate, model and uphold a code of conduct for student use of online resources and platforms that promotes a positive school culture and supports safe and responsible technology use.

4. Evaluating Online Tools for Classroom Use

Ability to evaluate online learning tools with respect to student safety and privacy,

• Demonstrate understanding of federal rules and regulations regarding student privacy online and how they apply to online products and services used in your learning environment, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA), Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).
• Critically evaluate the Terms of Service agreements for the platforms you and your students are using to share media.

5. Making Media for Classroom Use: Images, Graphics and Interactives

Ability to create original image-based or interactive media content to communicate a specific message to an intended audience (learners).

• Demonstrate understanding of copyright, fair use and intellectual property with respect to the media you and your students create.
• Critically evaluate the way individuals, groups and topics are represented in your media, whether it is a fair and accurate portrayal and, if not, why you made those choices.
• Explain how your intended media message, intended audience and other factors such as time and available resources impact the construction and form of the media you create.
• Create media that effectively employs narrative, audio and/or visual design principles.
• Use feedback and reflection to improve media products.

6. Making Media for Classroom Use: Audio and Video

Ability to create original audio and/or video content to communicate a specific message to an intended audience (learners).

• Demonstrate understanding of copyright, fair use and intellectual property with respect to the media you and your students create.
• Critically evaluate the way individuals, groups and topics are represented in your media, whether it is a fair and accurate portrayal and, if not, why you made those choices.
• Explain how your intended media message, intended audience and other factors such as time and available resources impact the construction and form of the media you create.
• Create media that effectively employs narrative, audio and/or visual design principles.
• Use feedback and reflection to improve media products.

7a. Implementing Media Projects in Early Childhood
Ability to create and implement media-centered instruction in PreK - grade 2 that supports children in learning specific content or skills related to your teaching context requiring children to access and learn important content by reading media (access, analysis, evaluation), writing media (planning, design, creation) and sharing media with an authentic audience (taking action).

7b. Implementing Media Projects in the Upper Grades

Ability to create and implement media-centered instruction in grades 3 and up that supports students in learning specific content or skills related to your academic subject area or teaching context requiring students access and learn important content by reading media (access, analysis, evaluation), writing media (planning, design, creation) and sharing media with an authentic audience (taking action).

8.   Assessing Student Media

Ability to design and implement assessment practices for student-created media that are aligned to standards-based learning outcomes and provide learners with quality feedback about both the academic content requirements associated with the media and the quality and effectiveness of the media itself.

Educators looking to sharpen their media literacy skills before submitting their work for the micro-credentials are also invited to take free professional development courses on KQED Teach and PBS TeacherLine. More details are available here:

• Courses aligned with micro-credentials for K-12 educators: http://bit.ly/2UgbSiq
• New course for PreK-2 educators on PBS TeacherLine: https://to.pbs.org/2UifNuS