Critical Thinking About Digital Media

In recent years, our consumption of media has changed in ways we could never have anticipated. Just as CNN's 24-hour news cycle showed us that news didn't have to sleep, independent bloggers and the popularity of social media proved that media also didn't have to be newspaper- or television-bound. The internet allows us all to take part in a public dialogue, for better or worse. In this thoughtful and entertaining series, students will explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of the new media wave: from the fake news that tipped the 2016 U.S. election to fun memes that brighten our days; from weaponized social media hashtags like #HasJustineLandedYet to the blessings and curses of living in a culture where any post, tweet, video, or message can go viral in the blink of an eye. Features include: Extremely high-interest and relevant topic as the online space, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and Reddit is where many students spend a significant amount of time and find information. Directly correlates with state journalism standards about developing media literacy. Supports the C3 Framework for Social Studies' emphasis on being critical about the accuracy of sources.