The television teacher brings this fast-paced, symbolic and emotional language into the realm of rational discourse so that students can learn to talk about the programs they see in an active and articulate way. This doesn't take a special class in media, or expensive equipment. It can be done every time television is used in the classroom. Since students are saturated with media messages throughout life, teachers practice a formal and structured program of critical thinking about media until students begin to question media on their own. The goal of media education is to make students lifelong learners and critical questioners when the teacher is not around.
Media education can begin at an early age.
Minneapolis writer Lyn Lacy teaches Grades 1-3 at Cooper Elementary in Minneapolis. She creates media education exercises for her students that stress visuals and are akin to reading readiness. Students in lower elementary grades can begin to learn about media languages, how television is put together, and how to distinguish the different kinds of television. Older students can understand more of the social and political elements around television. This idea that print is superior to television is just plain snobbery.