Newsworthy—Cultivating Critical Thinkers, Readers, and Writers in Language Arts Classrooms

In this book, Ed Madison—journalist, producer/director, and innovative educator —provides specific strategies to help teachers use journalistic learning to achieve positive outcomes that engage students in new ways. Journalistic learning is a teaching approach that borrows techniques from the journalism profession to better instruct students in research, reading, and writing in language arts and the social sciences classes. Drawing from extensive fieldwork in schools across the United States, Madison demonstrates how this approach is uniquely aligned with Common Core State Standards that call for more emphasis on nonfiction texts and digital literacy skills. Centered on research and writing projects that will yield publishable student writing, chapters demonstrate how this approach works across contexts and benefits a broad range of students from diverse backgrounds. The text also explores new and affordable approaches to teacher training.

Book Features:

• Shows ELA teachers how to better engage students in reading and writing by tapping into their interests.
• Offers effective and affordable strategies that are aligned with the CCSS.
• Explores digital literacy and diversity, providing tangible strategies for bridging the achievement and technology gap.
• Includes links to curricular resources, student videos, technology tips, and more.

Ed Madison is an assistant professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon, an Apple Distinguished Educator and an Adobe Education Leader, a founding producer for CNN, and founder and executive director of Media Arts Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to inspiring and educating digital learners and future generations of media professionals. Visit the author’s website and blog at NewsworthyBook.com.

“I valued this book’s overt connections between ELA and journalism…As ELA teachers seek innovative strategies to engage students, this book will help support the discussion around using nontraditional approaches, such as journalistic learning, and provide teachers initial ideas to expand upon and adapt with the diverse groups of learners in their classrooms.”

—Journal of Language and Literacy Education (JOLLE)

"Ed Madison provides teachers with tangible strategies for using journalism to meet new standards, while inspiring students to take ownership of their education.”
—Linda Darling-Hammond, Stanford University, author, The Flat World and Education

"Authentic, meaningful, and passion-driven, Ed Madison masterfully demonstrates the power of journalism as an engaging learning experience. This book is a thoughtful and practical guide to implementing journalistic learning in schools."
—Yong Zhao, elected fellow, International Academy For Education, author of World Class Learners

"Ed Madison explains why the journalistic methods of verifying and clarifying information can motivate students to learn nearly anything. His well-sourced book is full of the practical exercises and technology tips that can set free the power of journalistic learning. A must-read for anyone who cares about education."
—Eric Newton, Innovation Chief, Cronkite School of Journalism, Arizona State University, author, Searchlights and Sunglasses: Field Notes from the Digital Age of Journalism

“Teaching journalism principles has never been more necessary and more integral to the work of all teachers. Ed Madison has spent time with leaders in journalism education and provides a great synthesis of ideas from the front lines. Anyone who loves teaching nonfiction reading and writing across media will love this book.”
—William Kist, associate professor, Kent State University

"Dr. Madison’s important book takes us beyond the buzz to the substance and power of engagement through journalistic learning. Grounded in research and practice, he provides insight and guidance to educators struggling to make the world of narrative expression important and relevant to today’s students."
—Jason Ohler, author of many books, articles and web resources devoted to media and digital literacy