Setting Up a Student Media Program in Your School

High school students can benefit from learning how to create different media in a responsible way.

By Darcy Bakkegard

Edutopia

April 18, 2024

Educators are increasingly recognizing the value of integrating media programs into the school curriculum to empower students as critical creators and consumers of media. In an article titled “Setting Up a Student Media Program in Your School” by Darcy Bakkegard, the benefits of student-led media initiatives are explored, highlighting the transformative impact these programs can have on students' critical thinking, digital citizenship, and storytelling abilities (source: edutopia.org).

Jeremy Murphy, a multimedia teacher at San Jacinto High School, emphasizes the importance of media literacy, noting that students are bombarded with media from various platforms daily. He argues that understanding the intricacies of media creation—including ethical considerations—helps students become more discerning consumers and creators of media.

David Gamberg, former superintendent of Southold and Greenport Schools, underscores that student media programs extend beyond giving students a voice. They promote digital citizenship and civic engagement through storytelling. These programs offer authentic learning experiences that cannot be mimicked in traditional classroom settings because they involve real audiences. This not only enhances the relevance of the projects but also compels students to produce high-quality work intended for public viewing.

Murphy points out that student-led media fosters collaboration within the school and the local community, enhancing the coverage of various events and activities through live streams and broadcasts. This inclusion helps connect the community, especially those unable to attend events in person.

Setting up a student media program has become more accessible than ever. With basic tools like smartphones, and support from organizations such as PBS's Student Reporting Labs, educators can launch these programs with minimal costs. These organizations provide essential resources, including tutorials and lesson plans, that aid teachers in integrating media-focused projects into their curricula.

Moreover, student media programs are beneficial for developing digital citizenship. Murphy stresses the importance of guiding students through the ethical and legal aspects of media creation, ensuring they understand their responsibilities as media producers.

Feedback plays a crucial role in these educational initiatives. Students receive real-world feedback on their media products, which helps them refine their skills and understand the impact of their work on viewers. Competitions and broadcasts, such as those hosted by NPR and PBS, offer additional platforms for student work to be recognized and critiqued.

In summary, student media programs are not just extracurricular activities but essential educational tools that equip students with necessary life skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical media production. As the media landscape continues to evolve, these programs offer students vital opportunities to engage with media in a meaningful way, enhancing their educational experience and preparing them for the future.

The full details of setting up such a program can be found in Darcy Bakkegard’s article on the Edutopia website: [Setting Up a Student Media Program in Your School](https://www.edutopia.org/article/setting-up-student-media-program-y...).

Original Article

https://www.edutopia.org/article/setting-high-school-student-media-...

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com