Digital Storytelling & Reel Works

"A Girl Like Me"

1.What do you like about the digital story?

I like that the digital story gave the young African American girls a chance to address the stereotypes that have plagued them for far too long. It was well-made, and supported with facts and real, authentic stories from first-hand experiences with racial barriers and issues.

2.What did you learn from the digital story?

Aside from the many facts that I learned, more importantly I learned that society has a predetermined set of standards already set for African American females. The "natural" look is not acceptable, not even within their race/culture. 

3.What surprised you about the digital story?

There is a brief section that shows an re-created experiment in which African American children are asked to choose between a black doll and a white doll. 15 out of the 21 children said that if given the choice, they would prefer to take home the white doll. 

When asked which doll was good and which one was considered to be bad, the children said that the black doll was bad. Their reasoning? Because it was black. 

4. What social problem was the digital story addressing.?

The digital story addresses the stereotypes that society holds for African American women and the predetermined set of standards that have been imposed upon them. They have been stereotyped as loud, obnoxious, and ghetto. Many of the young females that were interviewed in the digital story spoke about the stereotypes, and how they have had to work twice as hard to prove themselves. 

4.How did the digital story provide an example of how digital storytelling can build self esteem, help young people voice an opposition to social problems, or create an alternative to stereotypes of adolescents typically portrayed in mainstream media?

Digital storytelling provides a creative outlet for young people to actually be heard! In order to overcome these social barriers, it is first necessary for society to acknowledge the issue. 

As adults, we sometimes make the mistake of stereotyping and generalizing the adolescent age group. Just as certain races/cultures are stereotyped in mainstream media, so are adolescents. 

5. Do (or how do) these digital stories provide evidence of that these young people are engaged in analysis of their own culture?

The young girls in "Just Like Me" provide numerous examples (during their interviews) of how engaged they are in the analysis of their own culture by recognizing stereotypes and drawing conclusions as to why these stereotypes exist. One girl says that she doesn't know where she if from. She's indeed from Africa, but which part? There are several different areas of Africa with many different types of culture and customs. Perhaps society just creates these stereotypes because they have no particular heritage or culture?

6. Do (or how do) these digital stories support a healthy respect for multiculturalism and diversity?

Digital stories address a social problem and take it one step further. They investigate what is beneath the surface, and use first-hand accounts and experiences to show reality. By delving deeper into races/cultures, we can examine our cultural differences rather than deficits; thus creating a healthy respect for multiculturalism and diversity.

Reading and Discussion #1

I found this week's reading on Toward Critical Media Literacy: Core concepts, debates, organizations, and policy to be very informative and full of interesting material. Here is a link to my Evidence Chart.

1. Consider the following excerpt:In 1969 to be exact--educational philosopher Neil Postman delivered a speech at the National Convention for the Teachers of English frankly titled “Bullshit and the Art of Crap-Detection.” In his speech, Postman stressed the need for teachers to engage students in thinking critically about the bombardment of corporate advertisements and political plugs they faced on a daily basis, underlining the reality that virtually “all human communications have deeply embedded and profound hidden agendas,” particularly messages heavy with commercial and political ideology, which are “saturated with bullshit.” Postman told educators, “As I see it, the best things schools can do for kids is to help them learn how to distinguish useful talk from bullshit. I will ask only that you agree that every day in almost every way people are exposed to more bullshit than is healthy for them to endure, and that if we can help them to recognize this fact, they might turn away from it and toward language that might do them some earthly good.”

1. To what extent do you agree with Neil Postman?

I was fortunate enough to have parents that sought to teach me how to deconstruct commercial and political ideology for myself. When I was an adolescent, I began to see how saturated politics are with bullshit essentially. 

I 100% agree with Neil Postman, and I believe that our society would be much better off if we were to help students recognize how biased and bullshit-laden media is. I think that once you unveil the truth, it makes you much more aware and eager to discover language that promotes the truth. 

2. Neil Postman delivered this speech in 1969. How do you think he might feel about "the art of crap-detection" now given recent advancements in digital technologies?

The rise of digital technologies have given way to more opportunities for advertisements and the like. Since bullshit media is much more prevalent today, I'm fairly certain that Neil Postman would retain his firm belief in the need for media literacy in education.

3.  Then watch the video below and post your reaction to your blog. Use the following questions to guide your reaction:

• What did the video make you think about or feel? 
• How does it support Neil Postman's concerns about "crap-detection".
•  Then, tell us how this video effects your understanding of why it is important to teach CRITICAL media literacy and not just MEDIA literacy in-and-out of school. Support your response with three quotes from the reading. 

The first thing that comes to my mind is the criticism that Cameron Russell received from giving this talk. Many people were probably wondering "Why should we listen to her?" or perhaps "What on earth does she have to complain about?" Well, I believe that the content of her message was so intriguing because of who she is. It evoked a reaction out of myself, thus increasing my curiosity to listen to what she had to say.

By tying in references from her personal life, she makes several points about feminism and racism very apparent-she has received free passes based on her appearance. By winning this "genetic lottery", she was scouted to become a face of several companies and brands. 

The talk makes references to Neil Postman's "crap-detection" by showing us prime examples of highly fabricated photos-these photos aren't actually pictures of Cameron at all, but rather a creation of something else entirely. Western society is exposed to commercial advertisements like these so often that sometimes we can't even discern what is actually real anymore. 

The before and after photos of Cameron are a prime example of why we need CRITICAL media literacy education, and not solely media literacy education. Media literacy teaches students to read and decode media, whereas media education teaches the appreciation of media and its various forms of self-expression. "Critical media literacy builds on these approaches, analysing media culture as products of social production and struggle and teaching students to be critical of media representations and discourses, but also stressing the importance of learning to use the media as modes of self-expression and social activism." (Kellner & Share 2005)

In the talk, Cameron Russell says that her response to girls that aspire to be just like her is, "Why wouldn't you want to be something else-like the president of the United States?" Young girls would rather aspire to be a model because of the media that they see on a daily basis. We only see what is superficial-the fact that models are perfect in nearly every way that society deems acceptable or beautiful. Critical media literacy is needed in education specifically because of the aforementioned. "Critical media literacy not only teaches students to learn from media, to resist media manipulation, and to use media materials in constructive ways, but is also concerned with developing skills that will help create good citizens and that will make individuals more motivated and competent participants in social life." (Kellner & Share 2005) If we can introduce critical media literacy at a young age, we can teach young girls that these images (like Cameron's airbrushed photos) are not reality and maybe we can pave the way for a different, better future for media.

My last point brings me to the point that-"Too often students believe the role of media is simply to entertain or inform, with little knowledge of the economic structure that supports it." (Kellner & Share 2005) When Russell says that there is pre-production, post-production, etc.-she informs us of the many hours that go into a single photo. That single image has the potential to make millions of dollars for that company, thus fueling the profit/power margin. The image's audience typically doesn't understand precisely who or what is promoting that image or alternate source of media. 

Kellner, D., & Share, J. (2005). Toward Critical Media Literacy: Core concepts, debates, organizations, and policy. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 26(3), 369-386. Retrieved August 22, 2014, from http://pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/essays/2005_Kellner-Share_TowardsCriticalMediaLiteracy.pdf

Introductory Post EDUC6810

My name is Marlisa and I live in Philippi, WV. I work part-time in the Counseling & Disability Services here at Fairmont State, and I also babysit/tutor elementary children after school. Currently, I have 12 hours and anticipate to graduate with my M.Ed. in Digital Media this summer.

I'm very excited for this course, primarily because I had Inclusive Classroom Practices as an undergrad (with Dr. Lindstrom) and I absolutely loved it! I anticipate to learn about the current research and issues surrounding critical media literacy, in hopes that I will be able to relay knowledge about this innovative field to teachers, parents, and children.

Here is my Animoto video to give you a little insight about myself. Hope you all like it! :)





Why is teaching media literacy important?
There are many ways in which the public school system needs to be reformed, and teaching media literacy can be that initial stepping stone. Everyday we are faced with advertisements as we watch television, check our email, and even as we listen to the radio on our commute to work. The corporations that produce these brilliant and hypnotizing ads are actually created with powerful psychological tools. By introducing media literacy into schools we can not only arm students with the tools necessary to decode these messages, but we can also bridge a connection between school and their 21st century lives.

What do you want to learn about teaching media literacy?
Since I consider myself to hardly be an amateur when it comes to media literacy, I hope to learn about the benefits as well as the criticisms of media literacy in order to better serve students, parents, and teachers.

What concerns do you have about teaching media literacy?
From what I have observed, I find it very interesting how teaching media literacy can be misconstrued as teaching with a political agenda. In my opinion, it's our duty to teach the future of tomorrow how to deconstruct messages from government, companies, and large-scale corporations. After all, if we don't-who will?

When are assignments due in this course?
Sunday at midnight.

What are the rules for late assignments?
You must make contact within 24 hours of missing the due date for an assignment in order to receive partial credit for an assignment. If you do not make contact, you will receive zero points.

What is the best way to contact me?
Through email.

Should you work ahead?
You should check before working ahead, because readings and assignments can change based on the needs of the class.