Media Literacy and American Education: An Exploration with Détournement

Abstract

Many competing voices are speaking about the state of American education and how it should be reformed in the best interest of students. Topics such as teachers unions, charter schools, and standardized tests are at the center of many of these discussions. How do we decipher what to believe amid such conflicting perspectives concerning these topics and others like them? To progress American education in a direction that benefits students and democratic society, today's educational stakeholders must adopt a critical stance in their evaluation of issues at the center of American education; lessons that encourage the development of critical media literacy skills are vital to this effort. This article explains how using détournement in the classroom contributes to this goal, providing a historical background of détournement, exploring a détournement created by the authors, and sharing practical applications for teachers. Practical considerations are drawn from the authors' experiences implementing détournement in the context of a master's level Disciplinary Literacies course for preservice teachers. The détournement creation process in this context provided an opportunity for preservice teachers to cultivate skills in digital video composition as both critical media consumers and critical media producers. Resources and practical applications shared within the article can guide teachers in implementing détournement in the classroom to help students adopt a critical stance toward the media they regularly consume.

Linguistic and Social Features of the Video Component of Media Technologies in the System of Psychological Adaptation of Foreign Students in Higher Education Institutions in the US

“…The problems of using media technologies and electronic means in education and training; adaptation training of foreign students; conducting academic activities to study a foreign language, the formation of linguistic and socio-cultural competence have been considered by many researchers, including: N. Nguyen (teaching using films (Nguyen, 2023); I. Rivero-Vilá (the use of documentaries in intercultural, social and linguistic interactions (Rivero-Vilá, 2021); J. Conejo Muñoz, D. Veloza-Franco, J. de Icaza Lizaola (decryption of information in media technology components (Conejo Muñoz et al, 2023); E. Threadgill, L. Price (practice of online screenings (Threadgill, Price, 2019)); S. French, J. Campbell, A. Romero Walker (media literacy development (French, Campbell, 2019;Romero Walker, 2022); J. Tibaldo (issues of media literacy and linguistic training (Tibaldo, 2022); F. Shu, F. Shujaat, M. Pickett, R. Ayman, T. Bittencourt (adaptation of foreign students (Shu et al, 2020;Bittencourt et al, 2021); E. Debreli, I. Ishanova (strategies for conducting activities in foreign language classes (Debreli, Ishanova, 2019); S. Gümüş, E. Gök, M. Esen, S. Tokas, A. Sharma, R. Mishra, R. Yadav, M. Roshid, P. Mahbub Ibna Seraj (issue of mobility of foreign students (Gümüş et al, 2020;Tokas et al, 2022;Roshid, Mahbub Ibna Seraj, 2023); N. Moussa (adaptation of foreign students to the social and cultural peculiarities of the US (Moussa, 2021); N. Roslim, A. Azizul, V. Nimehchisalem, M. Abdullah (use of films in learning a foreign language (Roslim et al, 2021)); R.-Z. Peng, W.-P. Wu (intercultural adaptation of foreign students (Peng, Wu, 2019); H. Ha (considerations of learning the foreign language vocabulary (Ha, 2022).…”

Financial Literacy Teaching Module Based on Social Inquiry Model in Elementary School Social Studies

“…Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world (French & Campbell, 2019;Hilmi, 2017). Social studies learning is very important for the basic education level because students can gain knowledge, skills, attitudes, and sensitivity to face life with the challenges that exist in society.…”

Powtoon-Based Animation Video to Improve Students' Learning Outcomes on Regional Artworks

“…When teachers use various learning media in learning, it is expected to be able to dismiss students' assumptions about subjects that are less varied. Teaching students media literacy is an ongoing process that requires engaging students in conversations about how media shapes how they think and interact with the world and equipping them with the tools and skills to be media creators themselves (French & Campbell, 2019;Saputra & Semara, 2021). Teaching media literacy to students can shape ways of thinking and form students' skills in making media.…”