Media Literacy as an Aid to WestTest Preparation

I chose the activity “What is Causing Global Warming,” which can be used in Environmental Science-- an elective course for high school students.  This activity addresses the following 5 CSOs:

SC.O.ENV.2.3
analyze and evaluate the use and availability of renewable and nonrenewable energy resources:

• coal
• solar
• biomass
• biofuels
• hydropower
• natural gas
• geothermal
• nuclear.

SC.O.ENV.2.4
evaluate environmental and economic advantages and disadvantages of using nonrenewable and renewable energy.

SC.O.ENV.2.6
explain how technology has influenced the sustainability of natural resources over time:

• forestry practices
• fossil fuels
• farming.

SC.O.ENV.2.16
identify causes for the thinning of the ozone layer and evaluate the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol for reducing ozone depletion.

SC.O.ENV.2.17
debate climate changes as it relates to greenhouse gases, human changes in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, and relevant laws and treaties.

Question:  Can integrating media literacy into your classroom activities help prepare your students for taking the WestTest?

After reading the article “Learn Critical Thinking through Media Literacy,” I believe that integrating media literacy into the classroom will help students prepare for the WestTest.  Media literacy gives students the skills and knowledge needed to access, analyze, evaluate and communicate media messages.  These same skills are needed in all areas of the WestTest.  Students will be able to analyze the question, give the question some thought, and then give the best answer possible.  The students will be preparing for the WestTest without even realizing that they are preparing for the WestTest.