6.2 Creating with Purpose - PSA's and Infographics

This week we will focus on the following outcomes:
  • review the '5 P's' approach and the '6 Questions' to consider when analyzing advertising
  • examine advertisements for application of formulas and techniques (e.g. AIDA, weasel words)
  • apply analysis and synthesis to the deconstruction of advertising messages in a variety of media
  • create an advertisement using digital and Web 2.0 tools for a specific audience and purpose
  • select curriculum expectations from the Language - Media document and plan a lesson or activity to teach about advertising for a specific purpose and audience

Readings

Focus Question

​Why are PSA’s or infographics effective media and digital literacy teaching resources?

Activating your Understanding about Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and Infographics

REMEMBER these 5 P's of advertising
By focusing student's attention to these factors, they can look deeply at advertised messages found within Public Service Announcements and infographics.
  • What product or service is being pitched?
  • Who is the potential purchaser or intended audience for the product or service?
  • What persuasive techniques are applied to the message?
  • Where is the pitch presented (magazine, online, newspaper, TV, film)?
  • How is the product 'packaged' or presented?

Public Service Announcements - Advertisement with a Purpose

Frank Baker identifies several memorable PSA’s (public service announcements) that ‘stick’Lesser known but equally interesting public service ad campaigns include
Baker presented how educators are using Web 2.0 tools to create online interactive posters to 'sell' public service announcements using GLOGSTER.  Annette Lamb presents many other tools and ideas on her website about Fluid Environments.

ACCESS and CREATE

Explorations into Infographics - view the Vimeo clip to the right. Then link to Kathy Schrock's site - Guide to Everything about Infographics page. Scan through the page to find the 'Infographics in the classroom' section and the 'student handout' section. Explore some of the applications for students - consider the primary and junior students you will teach when you view the Infographic explained by LEGOs.
  • How can infographics be applied to teaching and learning about advertising, consumerism and marketing? 
  • How can students create simple infographics to present a message about data they have collected, sorted and arranged for a particular audience?
Here are a few lists of some free and easy to use infograpic creation tools.
Picture
Take a look at one infographic found on the Association for Media Literacy website that may inform your own awareness about the importance of media literacy skills in the world of social media.

Creating PSA's and Infographics to Teach Media Literacy in the Classroom

wordle of visual literacyClick this link to see video and print resources.

Links to Ontario Curriculum Expectations 
Let's explore the resources found in the MediaSmarts to find lesson plan ideas to teach about marketing, advertising and consumerism. Consider these resources as you plan to integrate media literacy into your upcoming placement experience.
Reflect and Connect: Questions to ask yourself
  • Where do you encounter media and advertising messages being directed to YOU as an individual and as a teacher?
  • How can you empower yourself and your students to understand, deconstruct and demystify advertising messages?
  • What advertising or marketing issue is the most important one for you personally and professionally? How will you harness your passion for this issue into a 'call to action' for your students?
Take the Test:
The Digital Learning Horoscope, will provide you with a snapshot of your beliefs about the importance of teaching media to students. This may provide some insights into how you will teach this topic to students in your classroom. 
  • What do these result tell you? 
  • How will this insight change your thinking? 
  • What can you do with this information?
My own results confirm my beliefs about using media and technology in my teaching practice. This models how to use this tool and encourages you to give it a try. The results may change over time so you could return to use this as a self reflective tool for growth.

Resources/Links: