BRING MEDIA INTO YOUR CLASSROOM

ALEDA A. SOTTO

*ive your kids the abilities they need to Say continual attention to the world around them—listening reading watching and discerning. (nhancing (ngagement 9isual materials like Shotos videos dia grams and info graShics can draw in viewers and make for an engaging learning environment. 7his is Must one of the many ways that visual information and media can significantly imSrove the learning environment for students.

+ere are a few recommendations

. %e familiar with the shows your SuSils watch. )ind out which shows your kids watch and find most influential. 8se these shows to helS your students get interested in or engaged in the lesson by Sroviding them with interactive incentive.

. 'iscuss what they read hear and observe. 0edia is an intimate medium because when we watch we tySically focus and seldom feel the urge to socialize. 7alk about the distinctions between real life and fiction. 7he maMority of youngsters Serceive the world in a different way than adults do and they might not be able to tell reality from fantasy.

. Link it to SrinciSles. 7alk about your values and ideas but do not use demeaning or biased words when making generalizations. Let them determine what they need—or believe they need—to aid in develoSing critical thinking skills.

7he media has an imSact on our kids lives. ,gnoring its imSact and strength wont assist SuSils in making wiser decisions when they get older. *iving kids the freedom to critically evaluate what they see hear and take in is essential.

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7he author is a 7eacher ,,, at 0. 1eSomuceno (lementary 6chool