Media Literacy

Integrated Action Civics Model DiagramHow can students be empowered uses of media and online resources?

With the growing power of social media, and the escallating damage caused by the proliferation of dis-information, students need to be media-literate.

Media literacy helps students be wise and informed consumers of media sources. They learn to assess the credibility and value of sources they find. 

Media literacy also empowers student voice by teaching effective and responsible use of social media.

Most of the resources in this section have been developed or compiled by the Media Literacy Collaborative developed by the History & Civics Project at UC Santa Cruz and the UCI History Project.

Word cloud with media literacy words

Media Literacy Curriculum

How can teachers find and implement curriculum to build media literacy?

Find curricular programs that you can use in the classroom to help students identify credible information, seek out reliable sources, and apply critical thinking skills to separate fact-based content from falsehoods.

RESOURCES - Media Literacy Curriculum

  • Checkology - Online, asynchronous interactive lessons on a variety of topics supporting media literacy.
  • Civic Online Reasoning - Provides numerous lessons and assessments that can be easily integrated into classrooms. Developed by SHEG (Stanford History Education Group)
  • CTRL-F Curriculum - Very similar to Civic Online Reasoning, but more of a linear curriculum; High-quality activities and assessments
  • KQED Education - Provides a variety of videos, lessons, podcasts and discussion around media literacy. Includes topical modules such as lessons specifically around the 2020 US election.
Image of Media Collective website front page

Teacher Resources

How can I gain the skills and knowledge to teach media literacy? 

It is difficult for even the most conscientious adult to navigate the world of media (dis)information overload. Teaching students to be thoughtful media consumers and producers is equally challenging. This section offers resources for teachers to support them in this endeavor.

RESOURCES - Teachers

  • Media Literacy Collaborative - The History Projects at UC Irvine and UC Santa Cruz are working together to provide essential skills for teaching media literacy.
  • The News Literacy Project - Building a national movement to advance the practice of news literacy throughout American society. Includes resources for teacher as well as the general public.
  • First Draft News - A bit more research focused, but has webinars, resources and tools and interesting current projects.
  • Media Literacy Now - Includes links to many other media literacy groups and resources for educators as well. Also includes update on the current legal state of media literacy across the US.
  • News Literacy Project - Provides programs and resources for educators and the public to teach, learn and share the abilities needed to be smart, active consumers of news and information.
  • Media Literacy Within the HSS Framework - Collection of media literacy and civic engagement references within the HSS Narrative. Split out by grade level with a “takeaway” at each level. Prepared by the Media Literacy Collective.
image of cell phone with social media icons

Student Resources

Where can students find resources to help them navigate the online world?

Student-friendly resources can help students find and evaluate online sources and information.

RESOURCES - Student Resources

  • Newseum - Posts the front pages from different newspapers from across the US.

  • PolitiFact - High quality fact checking website.

  • Sifting Through the Pandemic - Easy to use resources to sort fact from fiction on the web. 
  • Snopes - High quality fact checking website.
  • SHEG Digital Hacks - List of tools and strategies to help students navigate digital landscape.