Resources for Teachers - Television

By Barry DuncanIn the media education classroom, we all want to do thoughtful media analysis in which it is understood that class discussions and reflections are the basis for constructing new knowledge. In this context, the classroom is a "site of struggle" in which meanings are negotiated. U.K. educator Len Masterman reminds us that media studies should be inquiry-centered, co-investigative (rather than seeking to impose a specific set of values), egalitarian and dialogic - though of course, dialogue is not loose, rambling discussions. They should also lead students to critical autonomy, not just critical intelligence. Such an expectation implies that students are capable of making independent judgements on future media texts.