10 Media Survival Tips for Teachers

Diocese of StocktonMinistry DayApril 2, 2011

Hosea Rupprecht, FSPPauline Centre for Media Studies3908 Sepulveda Blvd.Culver City, CA 90230(310) 890-8226hrupprecht@paulinemedia.com www.sisterhosea.wordpress.com

10 Media Survival Tips

1. Gifts of God 2. Values 3. Equal before

media 4. Honor your

students 5. Know what’s out

there

6. Listen 7. Ask questions 8. Move deeper 9. Catholic Social

Teaching 10. Practice

Tip # 1: Gifts of God

The Church’s attitude toward media:They are “gifts of God,” to be used for the common good of all people.

World Communications Day:Sunday between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost.

Pope Benedict XVIThe relationship of children, media, and education can be considered from two perspectives: the formation of children by the media; and the formation of children to respond appropriately to the media. A kind of reciprocity emerges which points to the responsibilities of the media as an industry and to the need for active and critical participation of readers, viewers and listeners. Within this framework, training in the proper use of the media is essential for the cultural, moral and spiritual development of children.

World Communications Day Message, 2007

Tip # 2: Values Values are ideas/ideals we

Cherish Hold in high esteem Work to maintain Often give direction to our life

(As defined by Gretchen Hailer in BELIEVING IN A MEDIA CULTURE, St. Mary’s Press, 1995)

What are your values?

Identify three guiding values for you andyour family and why….1)2)3)

These values can form the criteria for talking about television and movies

Tip # 3: Equal Before Media

Tip # 4 Honor your students Honor your students so that you

can create a safe place to communicate the God who is in you and they can communicate the God who is in them to you

Honor your students’ tastes in media

Tip # 5 Know what media is out there

Name five primetime television shows Watch even what you don’t like but what your

students are watching Glee American Idol The Office CSI 90210

Watch with your own children & family

first of all & TALK!

Tip # 5 Cont’d. Know what media is out there

Go to the movies OR Get the DVD, Netflix Know about what’s new ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY LA Times Online reviews

Tip # 5 Cont’d. Know what media is out there

Gaming X box 360 PS 3 Wii

Rock Band Guitar Hero Halo Grand Theft Auto 4 Mortal Kombat God of War Mario Brothers

Tip # 6 Listen

Listen to the talk and conversation going on around you

Listen to your students: Did they see anything about the class on television this week

“Listen” with eyes, ears & heart to the news: question it/pray with it

“Listen” with eyes & ears to advertising

Tip # 7 Ask Questions

Who created this message? What techniques are used to get my attention? How might different people understand this

message differently from me? What lifestyles, values, and points of view are

represented or omitted from this entertainment or information message?

Why was this message sent? Who profited?

Tip # 8 Move Deeper—Media Mindfulness

Tip # 9 Catholic Social Teaching

Human beings are created in the image of God Artistic expression, like creative imagination, is a gift given

by God The pursuit of the common good is the fundamental

principle for the good of societies The power of the gift and act of the creative imagination and

expression is rooted in human freedom The value of the human person is independent of material

possessions or social status The whole world and all that is in it, is the arena for God’s

activity -Rev. J. Silbert, PMM

Tip # 10 PracticeMake every media experience an

opportunity to practice media mindfulness

Resources

Our Media World:Teaching Kids K-8about Faith and MediaBy Hailer and Pacatte

Pauline Books & Mediawww.pauline.org$ 19.95

Resources

St. Mary’s Presswww.smp.org

$ 27.25

Media Mindfulness:Educating Teens about

Faith and MediaBy Hailer & Pacatte

Coming SoonJune 2011

How to Watch Movies with Kids: A Values-Based Strategy

Hosea M. Rupprecht, FSP Pauline Books & Media, Boston www.pauline.org For those raising kids, how to

recognize and discern values in movies, teaching kids to do likewise, and developing a family strategy .

Resources

www.wingclips.comFree, downloadable, movie

clips that can be searched by theme, movie title, or even by Scripture passage!

Pauline Books & Media3908 Sepulveda Blvd.Culver City, CA 90230

(310) 397-8676

Catholic books, DVD’s, CD’s, Gifts