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I thought the same thing when I read this message.  But I also started to
think about the ramifications of such a book "written" by a professor and
then possibly used in her own university classroom.  At this point in our
profession, we complain that administrators / teachers / parents / the real
world doesn't really KNOW what we do and yet, if university students (future
administrators and teachers) are being taught from a text "written" by this
professor, then there is absolutely NO perspective taken from any
interviews, in-depth conversations, journal readings, research, etc., that
the professor can use as examples from her research experience to explain to
her students as they cover this area in the class.  This book is being
researched, written, and explained by a graduate student and not the
professor.  Although I realize that this is perhaps "the norm" in many
universities as grad students work toward degrees alongside their
professors, in this case the topic is of little interest to the professor
(thus the "hand-off" to the grad student), and so the topic will not be
fully understood by the professor after writing / reading "her own book."
If she doesn't understand many of the examples offered already and could not
elaborate from her own experiences what media literacy is and how librarian
/ teachers use it with K-12 students, then this project a farce. (One more
reason why WE, as librarians need to continually write for our own
profession!!)

If this professor is truly interested in learning what media literacy is
within the professional library programs, she has two fantastic choices:

1.  Talk, visit with and watch the librarians on the OSU campus (especially
those dealing with media literacy).  These individuals can be found in the
Edmon Low Library--that's the really tall building situated in the middle of
the gorgeous campus with the clock and music playing each hour ---or perhaps
in the Mary L. Williams Curriculum Materials Library (within the College of
Education)--probably in the same building where you're located.  There are
actual librarians in both buildings who work with students in ways to
evaluate media and teach media literacy on the campus (because regardless of
the level, we're all doing the same things, just with different techniques
for our "audiences.") The CML staff would probably even help you contact
area school librarians who teach media literacy in Stillwater--these people
are great!  Talk with Rich Paustenbaugh--Associate Professor / Head of
Humanities and Social Sciences Division (library area covering education)
about how to connect with school librarians in the area.

OR

2.  Perhaps she should take an hour's drive south to the University of
Oklahoma's School of Library and Information Studies in Norman and speak
with the outstanding professors (and even students) who understand what
media literacy is and how it is being taught throughout the nation
(especially in those ALA accredited programs, such as OU's)?  While in
Norman, she could also interview some of the outstanding librarians who
teach media literacy in Norman, Edmond and the surrounding areas!

The information / interview potential is there and it's real!  I'd take
advantage of some of Oklahoma's outstanding school library programs and
interview these people to bring some credibility to the book and promote
actual programs....but then, I'm a librarian.

By the way, as both an OU alum AND a former assistant professor / librarian
at Oklahoma State University, this really annoys me at many levels.

Remember...my opinion, only!

~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net





----- Original Message -----
From: "Amanda Credaro" <abcredaro@OZEMAIL.COM.AU>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2004 2:42 AM
Subject: Re: GEN: Teaching Media Literacy


> Date:    Sun, 1 Aug 2004 23:24:38 EDT
> From:    Angel Kymes <Kymes4@AOL.COM>
> Subject: GEN: Teaching Media Literacy
>
> SNIP>>> I am writing a "perspective" for a professor who's having a book
> published
> about media literacy. She wanted to get a feel for the ways that library
> media
> specialists contribute to teaching this concept to students (K-12).
>>>SNIP
>
> I don't know - maybe it's just me - but . wouldn't it be better if someone
> who actually *knew* about it writes the book?  How could someone write
about
> media literacy without knowing about (and actually understanding) the role
> of library media specialists?  One trouble with some academics (such as
> professors) is that they tend to lose touch with the real world .
>
> <insert wild, manic laughter, with image of men in white coats running on
> from stage left>
>
>
>
> Amanda Credaro
> Editor: Warrior Librarian Weekly
> http://www.warriorlibrarian.com <http://www.warriorlibrarian.com/>
> Author: Biblia's Guide to Warrior Librarianship
> http://warriorlibrarian.com/buythebook.html
> Day Job: Project Officer - Center for Learning Innovation,
>    NSW Department of Education, Australia
> E-mail:  amanda.credaro@det.nsw.edu.au (work)
>              abcredaro@ozemail.com.au (home)
>
>
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