Directory of Related Sites and Studies
Want to learn more about what's happening in the field of PreK-12 media education? Check out these sites and studies:
Advertising & Marketing (General)
About-Face
http://www.about-face.org/
Investigate stereotypes of women found in advertising through galleries of print ads, statistics and activism campaigns. Note: Be sure to preview gallery content before classroom use.
Ad Age Fact Pack
http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=44274
Explore this synopsis of 2005's marketing and advertising data that shows who spends the most on advertising, how much is spent on advertising across various media and much more.
Advertisement Avenue
http://www.advertisementave.com/
Tap this free archive of television commercials for an abundant source of content for advertising analysis.
Center for Media and Democracy
http://www.prwatch.org/
Find out how this watchdog group seeks to recognize and combat manipulative and misleading public relations practices. At their site, access the quarterly report 'PR Watch', subscribe to the free weekly email bulletin about spin in the media and more.
Commercial Alert
http://commercialalert.org/
Learn about this organizations mission to contain commercialism and its potentially negative influences on culture, education, government and health. Their Action Alerts provide descriptions of relevant legislation and government policy.
New Mexico Media Literacy Project
http://www.nmmlp.org/
Encourage students to participate in this organization's annual "Bad Ad" student essay contest, try the media deconstruction activity on its homepage and find media literacy resources for teachers.
Commercialism in Schools
What is Commercialism in Schools?
http://www.ibiblio.org/commercialfree/commercialism.html
Identify common places for commercial activity in schools with an online school tour from the Center for Commercial-Free Public Education. The tour also provides additional information on specific marketing strategies, such as direct advertising, sponsored educational materials, contests, etc.
Commercialism in Education Research Unit
http://www.asu.edu/educ/epsl/ceru.htm
This research unit of Arizona State University conducts research, disseminates information and helps facilitate dialogue between the education community, policy makers and the public at large about commercial activities in schools. Be sure to see their Annual Report on Schoolhouse Commercialism Trends.
Harris Interactive/Kid Power Poll of Youth Marketers
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/services/pubs/KidPower_Poll_Results.pdf (PDF file)
This 2004 poll found a sharp divide in opinions about whether or not advertising should be present in schools. The poll gathered input from 878 youth marketing, research, ad/PR, media, education and non-profit professionals.
The School Law Handbook: What Every Leader Needs to Know
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/102114/chapters/Commercialism_in_Schools.aspx
This 2004 book from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) contains a chapter on "Commercialism in Schools" that outlines points that school decision-makers should consider when managing the level of commercialism in schools.
Gender & Sex in the Media
About-Face
http://www.about-face.org/
Investigate stereotypes of women found in advertising through galleries of print ads, statistics and activism campaigns. Note: Be sure to preview gallery content before classroom use.
Beauty and Body Image in the Media
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/women_and_girls/women_beauty.cfm
This article provides statistics on how women view their bodies, dieting behaviors, economic forces that influence a woman's beauty ideal and more.
Media As Kids' Looming Sex Super Peer
http://medialit.med.sc.edu/media_sex_study.htm
This 2006 article describes a research study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health that says teens who are exposed to more sexual content in the media are also more sexually active.
Sex on TV 4
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia110905pkg.cfm
This 2005 study from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that the number of sexual scenes on TV has doubled since 1998. Approximately 70% of all shows include some sexual content, with an average of five sexual scenes per hour.
General Resources
Alliance for a Media Literate America (AMLA)
http://www.amlainfo.org
This national membership organization advocates for media education focused on critical inquiry, learning and skill-building. At the Web site, find details on the annual National Media Education Conference and a listing of media literacy resources.
Center for Media Literacy
http://www.medialit.org/
This site offers one of the most comprehensive catalogs of videos, books, and other curricular materials related to media literacy. The site also includes a reading room on media lit issues, FAQs and more.
Just Think
http://www.justthink.org
This organization works with students, teachers and parents to empower young people to lead healthy, responsible, independent lives in a culture highly impacted by media. Just Think develops and delivers curricula and programs that build skills in critical thinking and creative media production.
Media Awareness Network
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/teachers/index.cfm
One of the largest educational Web sites for media literacy in North America, with a large inventory of copyright-cleared media education lesson plans in both French and English, articles on numerous media issues, resources for parents and more.
Media Literacy Clearinghouse
http://medialit.med.sc.edu/
This extensive collection of media literacy-related articles and reports features the most up-to-date news and information on media literacy issues and events.
Media Literacy Fact Sheet
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/Media-Literacy.cfm
This 2003 resource from the Kaiser Family Foundation provides some basics on media literacy, as well as references to research that show positive results from media education programs.
Media Literacy Key Concepts
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/teachers/media_literacy/key_concept.cfm
This article presents an at-a-glance reference pulled from multiple sources of the key concepts, principles, and questions tied to media literacy.
MediaWise
http://www.mediawise.org/
This site from the National Institute on Media and the Family offers fact sheets on dozens of media-related issues, as well as research studies, monthly columns and media content reviews.
Internet Safety
bNetS@vvy
http://www.bnetsavvy.org/
This is a bimonthly e-newsletter from the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN), the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and Sprint that offers teachers, parents and guardians tools to help children ages 9-14 stay safer online.
Claiming Space: Media Smart
http://www.ciconline.org/cicmagazine-july_aug07
This article from the July/August 2007 issue of Cable in the Classroom Magazine examines what can be learned from the ways that young people promote themselves online.
CyberAngels
http://www.cyberangels.org/
This Internet safety organization provides resources for schools and families, including free downloads of Internet usage agreements and safety information, safety tips for various audiences, guidance for selecting software and more.
i-Safe Inc.
http://www.isafe.org/
This Internet safety education group provides online articles that examine the latest Internet safety issues, free safety program materials for schools and more.
PointSmartClickSafe.org
http://www.pointsmartclicksafe.org/
This comprehensive new initiative from the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and Cable in the Classroom addresses Internet safety, digital ethics, and media literacy.
SafeKids.com
http://safekids.com/
This site features articles and safety information for various types of media, plus printable brochures.
Weaving a Web of Responsibilities
http://www.ciconline.org/thresholdsummer07
This graphic from the Summer 2007 issue of Threshold Magazine is designed to stimulate thinking and discussion about media literacy, digital ethics, and Internet safety.
Media Consumption
The Cost of Copyright Confusion for Media Literacy
http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/files/pdf/Final_CSM_copyright_report.pdf (PDF file)
This September 2007 report from the Center for Social Media at American University's School of Communication finds that unnecessary restrictions and a lack of understanding about copyright law are compromising the goal of using digital media and technology in the classroom.
The Effects of Electronic Media on Children Ages Zero to Six: A History of Research -- Issue Brief
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/7239.cfm
This 2005 Kaiser Family Foundation report summarizes the findings of research on the effects of media on young children and notes research gaps.
Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-Olds
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia030905pkg.cfm
This 2005 Kaiser Family Foundation study provides data for consumption of television, radio, print, music, computers, the Internet and video games.
Like Taking Candy from a Baby: How Young Children Interact with Online Environments
http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/pdfs/kidsonline.pdf (PDF file)
This 2008 ethnographic study for Consumer Reports WebWatch reveals that very young children are using online games and Web sites to play and learn, yet many of the games and sites are designed to manipulate children for the sake of commerce and promote the idea of commercialism. The online games observed in the study were found to vary widely in terms of quality, educational value, and their developmental match with children's abilities.
A Normative Study of Family Media Habits
http://www.mediafamily.org/research/report_g_w2002.pdf (PDF File)
This 2002 study from the National Institute on Media and the Family presents the results of a survey on family media habits with a random national sample of 527 parents of 2- to 17-year-olds. Results indicate that many family media habits predict children's school performance.
The Role of Media in Childhood Obesity
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia022404pkg.cfm
This 2004 Issue Brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation reviews more than 40 studies and describes what researchers do and do not know about the role media plays in childhood obesity. It also identifies ways media could play a positive role in helping to address this important public health problem.
Media & Family
Educational Media for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia121405pkg.cfm
This 2005 Issue Brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation examines the educational claims about commercially available educational media products for very young children and what kind of research has been conducted to substantiate the educational claims.
The Effects of Electronic Media on Children Ages Zero to Six: A History of Research -- Issue Brief
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/7239.cfm
This 2005 Kaiser Family Foundation report summarizes the findings of research on the effects of media on young children and notes research gaps.
Fall Colors: Primetime Diversity Report for 2003-2004
http://publications.childrennow.org/publications/media/fallcolors_2003.cfm
This report from Children Now provides a five-year analysis of diversity in network television programming.
Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-Olds
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia030905pkg.cfm
This March 2005 Kaiser Family Foundation report examines media use among more than 2,000 3rd to 12th graders.
A Normative Study of Family Media Habits
http://www.mediafamily.org/research/report_g_w2002.pdf (PDF File)
This 2002 study from the National Institute on Media and the Family presents the results of a survey on family media habits with a random national sample of 527 parents of 2- to 17-year-olds. Results indicate that many family media habits predict children's school performance.
A Parents' Guide to TV Ratings and the V-Chip
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/1491-index.cfm
This brochure from the Kaiser Family Foundation explains the TV ratings system and V-Chip technology, as well as provides tips for watching TV with your family.
TV Bloodbath: Violence on Primetime Broadcast TV
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/stateindustryviolence/exsummary.asp
This 2004 report from the Parents Television Council says that violence in primetime television is more frequent and violent than in measures for similar programming in 1998, 2000, and 2002.
The report also details which broadcasters have the most and least violent content.
Media Violence
Childhood Exposure to Media Violence Predicts Young Adult Aggressive Behavior
http://www.apa.org/releases/media_violence.html
This 15-year longitudinal study, published in 2003 by the American Psychological Association, says that children's viewing of violent TV shows, their identification with aggressive same-sex TV characters and their perceptions that TV violence is realistic are all linked to later aggression as young adults. This correlation was found to be true for both males and females from any type of family.
The Influence of Media Violence on Youth
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/pdf/pspi/pspi43.pdf (PDF file)
This 2003 article published by Psychological Science in the Public Interest summarizes recent scientific research and asserts there is unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior in both immediate and long-term contexts.
Marketing Violent Media to Children
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/07/mvreport.htm
This 2004 report from the Federal Trade Commission to Congress describes the extent of entertainment industry marketing of violent movies, music and video games to children. The FTC also provides suggestions for improvement.
Media Violence as a Risk Factor for Children: A Longitudinal Study
http://www.mediafamily.org/research/report_gentile_et_al_aps_2004.pdf (PDF file)
This 2004 study measures media exposure across TV, movies and video games, and then notes over time any changes in verbal, relational and physical aggression. Data was gathered between November 2000 and June 2003 from 430 students in 3rd through 5th grade, as well as from their teachers and parents.
Research on the Effects of Media Violence
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/violence/effects_media_violence.cfm
This 2003 article from the Media Awareness Network reviews key findings of research from the past few decades on the effects of media on violent behavior.
TV Bloodbath: Violence on Primetime Broadcast TV
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/stateindustryviolence/exsummary.asp
This 2004 report from the Parents Television Council says that violence in primetime television is more frequent and violent than in measures for similar programming in 1998, 2000, and 2002.
The report also details which broadcasters have the most and least violent content.
What Goes In Must Come Out: Children's Media Violence Consumption at Home and Aggressive Behaviors at School
http://www.mediafamily.org/research/report_issbd_2002.shtml
This 2002 study from the National Institute on Media and the Family outlines how consumption of violent media affects children's treatment of one another. A diverse sample of 219 students from grades 3, 4 and 5 completed three surveys that were then analyzed for correlations between media consumption and aggression.
News Reporting
2003 Teen Survey Results: Teens and Newspapers
http://www.usaweekend.com/classroom/survey/teen_survey2004_results.html
This survey of more than 65,000 teens, age 13 to 18, reports which media (i.e., TV, radio, online, newspapers) teens use to find news and information important to them.
The Center for Media and Public Affairs
http://www.cmpa.com/index.htm
This nonpartisan research and educational organization analyzes news media coverage and political humor. On the Web site, find press releases and reports that address how journalists and late night comics communicate about political candidates, health issues and other topics.
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR): What's Wrong With the News?
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=101
This organization scrutinizes the practices of news media and provides ongoing analysis of various issues.
Freedom Forum
http://www.freedomforum.org
Access up-to-date information on censorship, journalistic issues and newsroom diversity.
News Audiences Increasingly Politicized
http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=833
This 2004 study from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press reports on news media consumption habits, audience demographics for various news outlets and audience perceptions of news credibility.
The State of News Media 2006: An Annual Report on American Journalism
http://www.stateofthenewsmedia.org/2006/index.asp
This report from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism examines the content, audience, economics, ownership, newsroom investment and public attitudes related to news from a variety of media.
Video Games
The Effects of Violent Video Game Habits on Adolescent Hostility, Aggressive Behaviors and School Performance
http://www.mediafamily.org/research/Gentile_Lynch_Linder_Walsh_20041.pdf
This 2004 study published in the Journal of Adolescence found a positive link between violent video game exposure and aggressive behavior in 7th-9th graders.
Electronic Game Use is Associated with Childhood Obesity
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/07/040701085143.htm
In this 2004 report, researchers monitored 872 children in first, second, and third grades enrolled in 10 schools in northeastern Switzerland. A strong association was found between playing electronic video games and childhood obesity.
MediaWise Video Game Report Card
http://www.mediafamily.org/research/vgrc_index.shtml
Updated annually, this report from the National Institute on Media and the Family reviews the most recent video game-related research, grades the video game industry and retailers on ratings education and policy enforcement and provides recommendations. The 2005 report judges the current video game rating system beyond repair. In response, the National Institute on Media and the Family will convene a summit in 2006 with leading children's organizations and develop a set of ratings recommendations.
Violent Video Games as Exemplary Teachers
http://www.mediafamily.org/research/Exemplary_Teachers_SRCD.pdf (PDF File)
This 2005 paper explains the strategies that make violent video games such effective teachers.
Web Site Evaluation
Deconstructing Hate Sites
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/online_hate/deconst_online_hate.cfm
This article describes three common characteristics and seven common strategies of Web sites that promote hate.
Separating Fact From Fiction: Examining the Credibility of Information on the Internet
http://www.ithaca.edu/looksharp/resources/credibility.html
This directory of resources from Project Look Sharp provides criteria for evaluating Web sites, technical strategies to use when evaluating Web pages and suggested sites to use for practice when teaching students how to establish the credibility of online resources.
This page was last updated in September 2007.