Understanding Media Literacy: Inside Plato’s Cave

This online course was designed to meet a critical need for professional development in media studies. In the past, teachers looking for professional development found little or no support, and many avoided teaching media studies because of their lack of education. This course was created to meet that need.

Understanding Media Literacy: Inside Plato’s Cave was an online, 13-unit, three-credit course written, tested, and endorsed by teachers and delivered in partnership with Athabasca University.

Available as a summer workshop or for individual study, the course was especially designed to aid grades 7–12 teachers in helping their students to develop an informed and critical understanding of the nature, impact, and techniques of the mass media. The units were highly interactive and assisted teachers in developing skills to adapt these lessons to their students’ needs and their teaching situations.