Cell Phones, Social Media, and Student Well-Being
Cell phone and social media use have shifted rapidly in the last few years, raising urgent questions about school cell-phone bans, cyberbullying, psychological impacts, and academic performance.This webinar reframes the conversation through a digital empathy lens, blending media literacy practices with trauma-informed approaches that support student wellness and mental well-being. We’ll explore…
Read More
MediaEd Forum
A Two-Day Online ConferenceMedia literacy education is often seen as part of the solution to many of the current challenges we face. We hear stakeholders from every arena declaring its importance.As our information ecosystems evolve, so do ideas about what it means to be "media literate" and whose responsibility that should be. For that reason, we offer four strands: AI LiteracyMis/Disinformation…
Read More
In Our Media Literacy Era: Fandom, Politics, and the Power of Critical Support
This Media Literacy Week, we’re talking fandom, politics, and critical thinking, all through the lens of Taylor Swift. The Media Education Lab and Swifties4Hope team up to explore how the worlds of fandom and politics overlap and diverge. Together, we’ll reflect on how we can support our favorite political candidates passionately while still thinking independently.Since our girl knows Aristotle,…
Read More
Beyond the Algorithmic Feed
Social media is being rebuilt from the ground up. Instead of reinforcing echo chambers through centralized algorithms, emerging federated platforms like Bluesky aim to create more user-centric, customizable, and humane spaces for online interaction. Join us for "Beyond the Algorithmic Feed," a MediaEd Club conversation exploring the architecture and ethics of decentralized social networks. Before…
Read More
Media Literacy: Critical Thinking for an AI World
MEDIA LITERACY Critical Thinking for an AI WorldStarting April 12, 2025 Work with a team of Palestinian and American educators to create a media literacy program for Palestinian young adults to build resilience and critical thinking skills  WHY IT MATTERSIn today's digital age, navigating the complexities of media is crucial for everyone. Media literacy plays a crucial role in building resilience…
Read More
Media Literacy is for Everyone
In response to the enthusiasm and excitement around our last event in October, we are excited to officially invite you back to Rhode Island PBS for the next event in the recurring series, “Media Literacy is for Everyone”.  DATE: Tuesday, February 11 TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 PM ESTLOCATION: Rhode Island PBS, 50 Park Ln, Providence, RI We're dedicated to the process of building relationships, identifying…
Read More
Digital Authorship Graduate Course
Digital Authorship (EDC 534) is offered in the Spring of 2025 semester by Professor Renee Hobbs. It is one of four required courses in the Graduate Certificate in Digital Literacy. The course is offered fully online in an asynchronous format for Anytime Learning.​DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JANUARY 20, 2025 ABOUT THE COURSE: The course examines how AI tools can be used for creative expression and…
Read More
Book Party, Media Literacy in Action, 2nd Edition
Join Renee Hobbs for a book party to celebrate the publication of Media Literacy in Action, 2nd edition!DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 2025TIME: 12 PM - 1 PM ESTLOCATION. Online. REGISTER HEREHelp students…
Read More
Together We Rise: The Next 100 Days
Together We Rise: The Next 100 Days Co-Creating Connections and Possibilities in a Time of Transition The program continues! Join us for reflection and fellowship. This weekly webinar addresses themes of social connection, political transition, stress reduction, and media literacy. Sessions include guest speakers, guided discussions, and mindfulness practices. We are co-constructing the support…
Read More
Participatory Storytelling and News
Participatory storytelling is reshaping news and public discourse, driving both polarization and civic engagement. Join us for “Participatory Storytelling and News” as we unpack insights from Kate Starbird’s research on misinformation and modern media ecosystems. Drawing on the Tech Policy Press December 2024 podcast interview with Starbird, this session explores how educators can better…
Read More
Media Literacy in Massachusetts: A Landscape Scan
Many educators believe that Massachusetts could be a national leader in K-12 media literacy education. In interviews, educators shared the sentiment that leadership from DESE, superintendents, and community leaders are all essential. But mandates without funding are not effective and need to be accompanied by funding, guidance, and incentives. One teacher shared her perspective that “even with…
Read More
Media Literacy in Action, 2nd edition 2025
The blurring of entertainment, information, and persuasion is reshaping work, life, and citizenship. As a result, our relationship to media has never been so important nor so complex. By asking critical questions about what they watch, listen to, read, and use, students can be better prepared to be responsible communicators who can use a variety of formats and genres for self-expression and…
Read More
The Routledge Handbook of Media Education Futures Post-Pandemic.
Our team from the Media Education Lab is proud to announce the publication of The Routledge Handbook of Media Education Futures Post-Pandemic.This handbook showcases how educators and practitioners around the world adapted their routine media…
Read More
Teachers Guide, Media Literacy in Action
 This Teacher’s Guide will help you get the most out of the new textbook by Renee Hobbs, as it offers practical guidance on using this textbook in the classroom. Whether you are an experienced teacher or teaching media literacy for the first time, this guide…
Read More
Internet: Indispensable or Evil?
OverviewIn these four lessons, students use the episode Adam Ruins the Internet (Season 2, Episode 12) as a starting point to discuss the role of the Internet in modern culture and learn about media policies that shape people’s online…
Read More
All About Media
It's never too early to be smart about media!Give emerging readers the tools to learn about media, evaluate it, and understand it. Readers will learn essential critical thinking concepts along with important topics such as understanding how to find sources and how to properly source, privacy and Internet safety, evaluating ads and news reports, and determining the differences between facts,…
Read More