| The purpose of this study was to investigate the components of a media literacy program and methods for assessing students' performance. This study was organized using qualitative research methods to understand how groups of adolescents, (n = 15, 8 girls, 7 boys), created poetry videos at Rheedlen's Rise & Shine Productions, a New York City youth organization which broadcasts its own adolescent-created cable television program The Real Deal.; Results indicated that adolescents became more media literate as they learned production practices including brainstorming, interviewing, shooting video, and assessment skills, all of which broadened their communication skills. The skills students acquired were embedded in assessment practices that were modeled by student supervisors and staff, which included writing poetry, scripts, treatments, storyboards, and journal entries. Students learned how to assess themselves, their supervisors, their work in progress, and the work of others. These assessments led to a final evaluation of the students and their work. "Socializing," as part of the communication process, was seen as a means of ongoing assessment of the students' progress, including media literacy skills.; The results are discussed in the context of the role media literacy plays in the education of today's youth. Media literacy is seen as a vital component for the education and welfare of American society. |
