Teaching With Media: Middle Grades Teachers’ Perceptions on the Use of Media in the Classroom

• In Event: Media Creation and Use in Learning

Abstract

As media becomes more and more popular in the lives of adolescents, teachers have a valuable opportunity to capitalize on this trend to enhance their instruction and engage students. As a result, this study seeks to identify teacher perceptions on the use of media in the classroom and capture how teachers feel about addressing social issues through media. The findings highlight the disconnect that exists between the accepted value of media as an instructional tool and the actual implementation of this media in the classroom. It is overwhelmingly clear that teachers see the use of media as a valuable instructional tool that enhances student learning, but fail to use it on a consistent basis and capitalize on its full potential.

Authors

• Chris Cook, Northern Kentucky University

• David Jason Childs, Northern Kentucky University