Ready to Go Media Literacy Now Resources from the UK

What makes the UK curriculum particularly strong? It's the deliberate and thoughtful engagement with contemporary culture – a constant evolution reflecting the media landscape.

Find out more about what British Media Education has to offer US Media Literacy Now initiatives.

British media education has long recognised the power of engaging with real-world examples to foster critical thinking and responsible media consumption. We’re excited to share insights from our curriculum, particularly as you embark on your Media Literacy Now journey.

What makes the UK curriculum particularly strong? It's the deliberate and thoughtful engagement with contemporary culture – a constant evolution reflecting the media landscape. We’ve consistently incorporated popular culture into our lessons, allowing students to analyse the messages, representations, and power dynamics embedded within the media they consume daily. This approach, influenced by pedagogy like “porous expertise” (McDougall & Potter, 2015), encourages co-learning and student ownership, deepening their understanding.

Media Literacy Now Resources from the UK

Let’s explore some of the key areas we cover, grouped to illustrate how these topics can be integrated into a dynamic media literacy curriculum. Consider these Ready to Go Media Literacy Now resources – adaptable frameworks you can implement immediately.

1. Representation & Social Justice: Examining Identity and Power

This area focuses on how media portrays different groups and the impact of those representations. We delve into:

• Historical Movements & Cultural Moments: The Harlem Renaissance, the Black Panther movement, Afrofuturism, Black Lives Matter, and the “Oscars So White” conversation provide powerful lenses for analyzing systemic inequalities and media’s role in perpetuating or challenging them.

• LGBTQ+ History: Examining media representations of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities throughout history fosters empathy and critical awareness of bias.

• The AIDS Crisis: Analyzing media coverage of the AIDS crisis offers a crucial opportunity to discuss sensationalism, stigma, and the power of responsible reporting.

• Celebrating Diversity: The Paralympics provide a fantastic case study in challenging stereotypes and showcasing the achievements of athletes with disabilities.

2. Music, Film & Television: Deconstructing Narrative & Production

This section explores the construction of narratives and the influence of production techniques across various media forms:

• Music Video Evolution: From the early days of MTV to today’s viral TikTok trends, we trace the history of the music video as a powerful form of storytelling and self-expression.

• Contemporary Music & Visual Culture: Analysing Beyoncé’s “Formation” video, Lizzo’s “Good as Hell,” and other impactful music videos reveals how artists use media to convey messages about identity, empowerment, and social commentary.

• Blockbuster Analysis: Examining films like Black Panther (and its impact within the Marvel universe), the James Bond franchise, and the Peaky Blinders series allows students to deconstruct narrative structures, character development, and genre conventions.

• Television Dynamics: Luther and Stranger Things offer rich opportunities to discuss character arcs, genre blending, and the impact of serialised storytelling.

• The “Barbenheimer” Phenomenon: Analysing the cultural impact and marketing strategies surrounding the simultaneous release of Barbie and Oppenheimer provides a contemporary case study in media trends.

3. Gaming & Digital Worlds: Exploring Interactive Media

This area examines the unique characteristics of interactive media and its impact on users:

• Video Game History & Culture: From early arcade games to the immersive worlds of today, we explore the evolution of video games and their cultural significance.

• Franchise Analysis: The Assassins Creed franchise provides a compelling example of how video games can blend historical narratives with fictional elements.

• Fortnite & the Metaverse: Analysing Fortnite and other popular games offers insights into online communities, digital identities, and the evolving landscape of interactive entertainment.

4. News & Information: Navigating the Digital Landscape

This section focuses on critical evaluation of news sources and the spread of information online:

• Traditional Media: Examining newspapers and their role in shaping public opinion.

• The Rise of Online Platforms: Analysing the impact of the internet and YouTube on news consumption and content creation.

• Algorithmic Awareness: Understanding how algorithms shape the information we see online is a crucial skill for navigating the digital age (Gómez-Galán, 2018).

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Teaching Controversial Media Responsibly

It's crucial to remember that teaching controversial media texts isn’t risky—it’s responsible. It’s how we equip students to think critically, ethically, and independently in the world they already live in. With the right pedagogical approach, we can do it in a way that’s safe, rigorous, and empowering. As highlighted in Screenworks (2020), making the creative process visible—from idea to edit—helps students learn “through doing,” mirroring real-world practices in media industries. We encourage educators to embrace a model of “porous expertise,” working alongside students—co-learning, experimenting, remixing media, and making space for student voice and creativity (Walden, 2021).

We at Mastering Media are eager to explore potential partnership opportunities to support your Media Literacy Now initiatives.

References:

• Gómez-Galán, M. (2018). Digital literacy in the age of algorithms. Cambridge University Press.

• McDougall, J., & Potter, W. J. (2015). Porous expertise: A new model for teaching media literacy. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 59(4), 571-587.

• Screenworks. (2020). Screenworks: A framework for media education. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.

• Talib, K. (2018). Media literacy and social justice: Negotiating power and identity. Routledge.

• Walden, J. (2021). Teaching digital literacy: A practical guide for educators. ISTE.