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MediaEd Institute

MediaEd Institute

What Participants Said about Micro-Credentials Courses

"I liked the combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. It was great to have time to think and reflect, see what other people were thinking about, and then be able to share. The small size of the cohort really helped with that!

"I truly valued the stimulation and community of exchanging ideas and having discussions with other practitioners of media literacy,"

 

"I enjoyed the readings/videos that allowed me to dig into different topics and then join in conversation with others!"

 

"I really appreciated the experience. I gained new knowledge and had a chance to contextualize it through the comments and discussions in ways that made it seem really applicable."

 

Context 

We've been pioneers in professional development for media literacy education for more than 30 years. In 1992, Renee Hobbs launched the Harvard Institute on Media Education, which was the first national-level teacher education program on media literacy education. In 1998, she collaborated with Elizabeth Thoman to bring the Felton Media Literacy Scholars program to Boston. This leadership development program in media literacy included some distinguished graduates including Mary Hess, Stephanie Flores-Koulish, and Pam Steager. 

In another new model for leadership development, Hobbs collaborated with the faculty of the Russell Byers Charter School in Philadelphia and graduate students at Temple University to create Powerful Voices for Kids, a professional development and direct service program in media literacy for elementary school teachers. This program nurtured leaders including Nuala Cabral, John Landis, Emily Bailin Wells, and David Cooper Moore. 

At the University of Rhode Island, Hobbs worked with her colleague Julie Coiro, and her then PhD student, Yonty Friesem, gathering together a team of experts to lead the University of Rhode Island’s Summer Institute in Digital Literacy. Learn more about the history of the program. During the pandemic, this program expanded its reach as a global program by going online. Distinguished faculty and graduates of this program include Kristin Hokanson, Frank Romanelli, Amanda Murphy, Mark J. Davis, and many more. 

In 2023, we launched the Courageous Rhode Island Professional Development Program, a fully online program for middle-school, high school, and college faculty where participants explore how to use media literacy and active listening to reduce the fear and hate that leads to violence. Program leaders included John Palella, Kent Lenci, and Benjamin Thevenin, supported by Pam Steager, Catherine Morris, and Yamaya Jean. 

Now, the Media Education Lab is building on this rich history of success by launching MediaEd Institute, a fully-online professional development program, one that welcomes both established and emerging leaders in media literacy from around the world. We are thrilled to feature leaders including Wes Fryer and Bob Van Oosterhout in these flexible programs that bring together faculty with expertise in a wide range of academic disciplines and professional experiences. 

Summer Institute in Digital Literacy: A Track Record of Success

Participants at the URI Summer Institute in Digital Literacy have adapted the professional development model to develop local, regional, national, and international programs. Over 12 years, more than 80% of Summer Institute in Digital Literacy participants rate it as the "best ever" when asked to compare the program to other forms of professional development they have experienced in their careers. Read what others have said about how our programs promote intellectual curiosity, skill development, knowledge and expertise, and leadership: