Opening New Pathways for Inquiry and Discussion 

 Educators' Resource Guide: Focus on Primary Sources 

At the Harvard X-Media Lab, we  are committed to empowering educators to implement the latest cross media methodology by creating a variety of resources that adapt to teaching at all levels in multiple subjects/disciplines. Over the years, we've demonstrated the flexibility of the cross media methodology using stories (fiction and non-fiction) from the classic canon and pop culture, told across media forms and platforms. 

Our latest resource guide, Focus on Primary Sources introduces the expanded cross media methodology that incorporates the strategic use of primary sources to provide alternative perspectives and relevant context (historic, social, cultural, scientific etc.) to the analysis of stories while cultivating critical thinking, perspective taking media literacy skills. Development of this new guide was made possible by a grant from the US Library of Congress, TPS Eastern Region grant program, It represents an exciting step forward in the evolution of the Cross-Media Methodology developed and taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

To demonstrate the adaptability of the latest cross media methods, we returned to our cross-media roots choosing the twice-told story The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, by Christopher Paul Clark i(1995) winner of the Newbury book award paired with the film adaptation of the book directed by Kenny Leon  (2013). It tells a fictional story about a middle class American family whose Alabama vacation intersects with a real-life tragedy, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights movement in the US during the 1960’s. We chose this story because of its' ability to engage readers/viewers with its' vivid narrative, authentic characters/family dynamics, and distinct perspectives. It also provides rich fodder for age-appropriate discussions across a broad range of topics/themes e.g. identity, family dynamics, moral growth, ethics, social norms, cultural differences, civic/social justice and much more.

The primary source collections and tools referenced  in this guide offer compelling witness testimony, diverse and conflicting points of view, and  social/cultural/historic context to support multiple paths of exploration and deeper learning.

Development of this new guide was made possible by a grant from the US Library of Congress, TPS Eastern Region grant program, It represents an exciting step forward in the evolution of the Cross-Media Methodology developed and taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Incorporating the strategic use of primary sources into cross media methods of analysis opens up new avenues for inquiry, discussion, and comprehension in  the classroom. 

In a world where students are bombarded every day with information, misinformation, and disinformation online, it can be difficult to discern what’s fact, fiction, or shades of truth.  We believe that the combination of humanistic stories with cross-media methods and  primary source inquiry/analysis provides an exciting new approach to engaging students and helping them build critical thinking, perspective-taking, media literacy, and digital literacy skills that are applicable across academic subjects/disciplines.

Learn more here about our project, our collaboration with Journeys in Film, and  the latest resource available for download right now. 

Bringing Wonder into the Classroom

Wonder  Educators' Resource Guide

We're pleased to announce the completion of the Wonder Educator’s Resource Guide, expertly illustrated  and available in two languages, English and Mandarin. It  provides an introduction to the X-Media approach, cross-media close comparison  and our three epistemic  methods of analysis (aesthetic, academic, ethical). The guide also includes a variety of lesson plans that scaffold and adapt to student learning needs, educator goals, and formal/informal learning environments.

Learn more about the Wonder Project and resources available.