The final event of the AMLA conference I attended was the Modern Media Makers (M3) presentation. While the conference was going on, a group of local teens along with visitors from California were given the tools and training to create their own media presentations. Teachers volunteered their time to assist the M3 participants and the final results were incredible. The group worked hard and produced some great stuff. They gave us a tutorial on interactive communication. They shared their experiences and excitement. It was energizing to see them so enthused. I could tell they would go on, show their friends and family, and continue to develop their own skills. All we need anymore is a small camera and a computer with editing software and we can make our own movies, send out a pod cast, and communicate worldwide!
This is the "fun" part of media literacy! We get to teach young people how to create their own media and let them run with it. It is amazing what they come up with.
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I saw something like this at the 7th annual White Privilege Conference. Students were given digital video cameras and access to a mentor who regularly does pieces about race in America. They ran freely with their ideas. It is amazing when you see what people with virtually no training are able to create. This makes me think that maybe formal training stifles a creativity that is now lost in a good deal of art. Although I guess you need to know the rules before you can break them.
I think perhaps there is a balance somewhere. Teach young people about the media but let them draw their own conclusions. Teach them how to use cameras and editing software and then back off. It is so cool what can be accomplished.
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