CML Framework

It's not enough for youth to know how to use technology and to press the right buttons:  it's critical thinking that counts!  CML's basic framework for media literacy provides children with an internalized process for critical thinking and discernment that is an essential guide for lifelong learning.                   

The CML MediaLit Kit™  provides, for the first time, an accessible, integrated, research-based teaching strategy needed to assist schools and districts in organizing and structuring teaching activities using a media literacy lens. Based on longstanding theoretical foundations and a research-based approach, education tools contained in the CML MediaLit Kit™ reflect a philosophy of empowerment through education and articulate the key components of an inquiry-based media literacy education.

The cornerstone of CML's approach rests with its basic framework, called Questions/TIPS (Q/TIPS), which feature the Five Core Concepts and the Five Key Questions of Media Literacy for both deconstruction or consumers of media, as well as construction or producers of media. This analytic framework, coupled with an action learning model of Awareness, Analysis, Reflection and Action -- called the Empowerment Spiral -- provide a backbone for developing training and curricula to address any subject, any time, anywhere.  

Learning to apply CML's Five Key Questions and Five Core Concepts to any media message is a core skill for life in the 21st Century.  But before teachers can teach these important ideas, they must first understand and experience media literacy for themselves.

To explain its framework, CML offers the following resources for teachers, parents or community leaders.  Resources are available free of charge as part of our Global OnRamp materials.

         1.  Literacy for 21st Century Second Edition: An Overview & Orientation Guide
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Explains media literacy pedagogy in plain language. Contains Questions/TIPS (Q/TIPS™) and explanations of new questions for media production and social media as well as for critical analysis. How does media literacy relate to the construction of media? How can critical thinking be taught and learned while students are producing media?

In a short and readable format, it:

  • Provides a complete framework for critical inquiry, using CML’s Five Core Concepts, and Five Key Questions for both construction and deconstruction of media (Q/TIPS), along with handouts.
  • Gives explanations and Guiding Questions to illustrate how to connect the Key Questions when consuming or producing or participating with media.
  • Provides in-depth explanations and the foundational role of the Five Key Questions of Media Literacy.
  • Offers a sample inquiry into visual language: "How to Conduct a ‘Close Analysis' of a Media Text.' Conducting a close analysis is a fundamental media literacy skill that provides the kind of practice that students need to become media literate.

Along with its handouts, Literacy for the 21st Century is an invaluable reference for teachers, media librarians, curriculum developers, researchers and anyone who wants to understand what media literacy is all about and/or explain it to others.

As a resource for workshops, graduate seminars or faculty in-service programs, it provides an unparalleled overview of the field and a common language and vocabulary for building a media literacy program in a school or district. 

The First Edition of Literacy for the 21st Century  -- which covers only media deconstruction and CML's Five Key Questions for analysis -- is available in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and Turkish, as well.  As a service to the media literacy field, Literacy for the 21st Century is available FREE  through our Global OnRamp materials.  This groundbreaking book pulled together the various elements of media literacy into one source and was first published in 2002.

          2.  Media Literacy: A System for Learning AnyTime, Anywhere.  This Trilogy of resources is ideal for administrators and staff who want to implement a comprehensive and systematic media literacy program in their district or school, using a research-based framework.  An e-book, Professional Development module and Tools for Implementation are included in each of the Trilogy Units:   Change Management, Deconstruction and Critical Construction.  

Reading about media literacy is one thing; experiencing media literacy is another!  The goal of this Trilogy is to provide a guide to designing and implementing media literacy programs, using CML's tested approach.  The fundamentals are explained and documented, with a ready guide for training administrators and educators, and for implementing classroom resources.  

         3.  Lessons and Curricula.  CML offers a wide range of lessons and curricula, along with assessment tools.  All of CML's education resources are based on its research-based framework, so that students understand their relationship with media and gain practice in applying media literacy tools to any media content.  CML's curricula have all been tested and piloted in public school classrooms and are aligned with the Common Core State Standards.

         4.  Research and Evaluation.   CML has conducted longitudinal evaluation of its framework and curricula which is peer-reviewed.  Additionally, CML has continued its ground-breaking research and development work to address the ever-evolving world of media.  Subscribing to CML's monthly newsletter is is a way to keep up with the latest.