Media Education Lab

Happy Thanksgiving! In the spirit of giving thanks, we'd like to share a reflection from a visiting scholar who got involved in MEL while visiting from Brazil. I am very grateful to God for this wonderful opportunity. I am returning to Brazil with the certainty of having acquired unique experiences here in Rhode Island. My heart is heavy, and I already miss it! I also want to thank the University of Rhode Island and the entire team involved in the process for international students. I am very grateful to have met Professor Dr. Renee Hobbs and the entire Media Education Lab team, as I not only learned media literacy techniques but also felt firsthand what it's like to be welcomed and helped. It was an exercise in humanity that will remain in my memory forever and should undoubtedly be part of an educational environment. I want to say goodbye with a verse of a Brazilian song called “Trem bala” (Bullet train) by Ana Vilela. It talks about valuing life, family, and friendships, because life is a bullet train about to leave. A small excerpt says:  ...It's not about reaching the top of the world and knowing you've won  It's about climbing and feeling that the journey has strengthened you  It's about being a shelter and also having a home in other hearts  And thus having friends with you in all situations... 

As the dust settles from the 2024 US general election, conspiracy theories continue to swirl, shaping post-election narratives and public perception. Join us on December 2 for a timely discussion on Conspiracy Theories and the 2024 US Election, where we’ll examine the falsehoods that gained momentum in the weeks leading up to the general election and those that have emerged in its aftermath. Drawing from both recent and historical examples, we’ll explore how conspiracy theories influence democratic processes, public trust, and media coverage. Through the lens of media literacy and critical thinking strategies like the SIFT framework, participants will engage with the broader cultural and political impacts of these narratives and discuss tools for navigating misinformation in a polarized landscape. Don’t miss this important conversation on how conspiracy theories are shaping the political landscape in America today. This Zoom event is free and open to all. Please find a link to register below: https://lnkd.in/eymmiR4k

We're excited to announce that registration for the 18th MediaEd Forum is now live! Please check out our event page for more information about the conference schedule and how to sign up. We hope to see you there with us on Zoom!

You will be thrilled to see the amazing lineup of distinguished scholars, practitioners and activists on tap for the MediaEd Forum, coming in January. Yonty, Catherine, Barbara, Iglika and team have outdone themselves with this exciting online event!

Order your exam copy now for Spring 2025 adoption https://lnkd.in/dH_mXXtb

We're excited to have media literacy researchers Erica Austin and Shawn Domgaard present their new theoretical model, published recently in Communication Theory, at our next webinar on Tuesday! Please sign up to join us via the link below: https://lnkd.in/eG9WjZxz

We invite you to discuss the topic of digital empathy and gain a more nuanced understanding of online interpersonal communication and strategies to better connect online. Please see the details below to join our next free webinar. We hope to see you on Zoom! Date: Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 Time: 9AM EST | 2PM GMT | 7:30PM IST REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/ebTubwzT

It's almost the first Monday of the month, and that means it's time to prep for our next MediaEd Club session! Anyone who is interested in discussing thought-provoking media is welcome to join this community. As usual, the Zoom session will be led by Wesley Fryer, Ph.D, who has provided us with the topic for discussion: In this session, we will dive into Renee DiResta's insights from her new book and examine how false narratives take hold in the digital age.  Required Session Media: VIDEO: Invisible Rulers: How Internet Influencers manipulate information and politics (35 min, by Francis Fukuyama, 16 Aug 2024) Optional Session Media: BOOK: “Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality” by Renée DiResta Please join us via Zoom and register using this link: https://lnkd.in/eUwBrSin

We hope you'll join us for an important and timely webinar tomorrow with Sara Terry and Fran Sterling, who will walk participants through The Aftermath Project’s newest visual literacy lesson plan. The Aftermath Project is a grant-making non-profit that supports photographers covering the aftermath of war and builds conversations aimed at educating the public about the true cost of war and the real price of peace. DAY: Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 TIME: 12PM EST Register for the Zoom event using the link below: https://lnkd.in/eeAXTAwt

Thanks Waqas Mahmood, PhD and all of those who participated in the important conversation about working together to detect and refute disinformation at yesterday's webinar "Building Resilient Communities: Using Media Literacy to Fight Extremism, Hate and Violence" that we co-hosted with Media & Learning Association! We encourage those who are interested in learning more about this topic to check out Courageous RI, an initiative of MEL that works to prevent rising violence and extremism in Rhode Island with authentic and respectful conversation, with support from the Department of Homeland Security. For more on the information shared during yesterday's webinar, follow the link below to the Courageous RI website: https://lnkd.in/eAFf62y7