Standard: 8.RI.7 – Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.
Grade level: Grade 8
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Reading: Informational Text
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on helping students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different mediums for presenting information. It’s crucial because it develops critical thinking and media literacy skills, which are essential in today’s information-rich world. Students should have a solid grasp of reading comprehension and be familiar with various types of media, such as print, digital text, video, and multimedia.
Students will be able to critically evaluate various mediums and use this knowledge to create effective presentations and analyze information more deeply.
Common Misconception 1
Some students may think that all mediums are equally effective at presenting information. This is incorrect because each medium has its strengths and weaknesses depending on the context and purpose.
Intervention 1
Use case studies and real-world examples to show how different mediums can alter the perception and understanding of the same information.
Common Misconception 2
Another common misconception is that digital mediums are always better than print. This is not true as print can sometimes offer more reliability and a different type of engagement.
Intervention 2
Present scenarios where print is more effective or reliable, such as in-depth research articles or archival materials.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should be familiar with basic reading comprehension skills, have an understanding of different types of media, and be able to identify the main idea and supporting details in a text.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to critically analyze the effectiveness of various mediums in conveying information and apply this understanding to create their own multimedia presentations.
Instructional Activities
- Have students compare the same news story across different mediums (print, online, video).
- Create multimedia projects where students present information using various formats.
- Conduct a debate on the effectiveness of different mediums for specific types of information.
- Analyze advertisements in print and digital formats to discuss how the medium affects the message.
