Whose job is it to teach students what they need to know about deceptive social media, algorithmic advertising, and deep-fake artificial intelligence? Media literacy educator Frank W. Baker offers advice, resources, and a sense of urgency “in an increasingly deep-fake world.”
Close Reading the Media / New Vocabulary
by Frank Baker · Published 01/09/2022 · Last modified 01/10/2022
Metaverse? Prebunking? Zombie claims? The rapid evolution of digital technology and methods of persuasion has unleashed a flood of words and phrases that need to be in students’ vocabularies. Media literacy expert Frank Baker offers examples from across current culture.
Ad Techniques / Close Reading the Media
by Frank Baker · Published 09/10/2019 · Last modified 12/12/2025
‘Smart pills’ are often marketed to students as a way to fire up the brain and excel academically. Media literacy expert Frank Baker uses a familiar radio ad and other examples to suggest lesson ideas that can actually boost their critical thinking and listening skills.
Close Reading the Media / Weight-Loss Ads
by Frank Baker · Published 01/02/2018 · Last modified 11/13/2019
In the wake of holiday indulgences, ads for weight-loss products snowball in January. Many contain outright falsehoods, the FTC warns. By inviting students to investigate, teachers can sharpen media literacy skills and explore persuasive vs. argumentative writing.
Toy commercials, so pervasive on TV during the holidays, are a great way to jump-start media literacy discussions with students. Expert Frank Baker has lesson ideas.
