It’s a problem that Cathy Reznicek, an Educational Technology Specialist at the Ventura County Office of Education, is working to address. She says, “The rise in the amount of media we consume on digital devices came fast, and educators haven’t caught up. It’s at the point where it’s critical right now.”
Reznicek says today’s students face challenges in conducting research that older generations didn’t have to contend with. “If you get a book at a library, it’s a relatively safe bet that there was some scrutiny as to what was written in the publishing process,” she says. “Online, anyone can publish anything and you don’t have those checks and balances.”
There are endless opportunities to teach media research skills and critical thinking in any subject at all grade levels and Reznicek says it’s starting to happen at a growing number of local schools. She’s glad to see the issue getting more attention because in the 21st century, literacy is about much more than knowing how to read and write.
About the Ventura County Office of Education
The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.