# Harvard X-Media Lab # Welcome to the X-Media Lab! [ Learn More About What We Do arrow\_circle\_right ](/about) ![Curved view of libray stacks full of books ](/sites/g/files/omnuum4491/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/2025-05/susan-q-yin-2JIvboGLeho-unsplash_0.jpg?itok=MMX63NaU) [### Latest News ](/research-news) In April 2025, the X-Media team wrapped up our second innovation project funded by the US Library of Congress through the TPS East Region grant program. It provided the Harvard X-Media Lab the opportunity to continue expanding the cross-media methodology... description [### Attention Cross Media Educators: What's Your Story? ](/attention-cross-media-educators-whats-your-story)Have you used stories in the classroom in two or more media forms e.g.: books, film, TV series, podcasts, graphic novels, cartoon strips, interactive games? Did you pair stories with primary sources? *What* was your approach? *How* did it go? *What* did you... ![Grapphic depicting overlapping question mark symbols in a variety of sizes & colors.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4491/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/banner-1090827_640_0.jpg?h=5be38351&itok=7tqg_OsY) [### Subscribe to Our Newsletter ](/subscribe)**Our new quarterly newsletter debuts in Fall 2025.** We'll share recent research, new resources, and insights from educators around the world who are innovating their practice with stories, cross media methods and primary sources. **Subscribe here.** ![Sun rising on holrizon; one tree in center of flat field; teaxt at bottom reads: Coming soon...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4491/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/Screenshot%202025-06-20%20at%201.12.06%E2%80%AFPM_0.png?itok=bazLG31b) ## 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 i***ntroduces 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. ![2024 Educators Resource: Focus on Primary Sources](/sites/g/files/omnuum4491/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/gse-edumedialab/files/screen_shot_2024-01-02_at_10.42.30_am.png?itok=gHApgXUz) **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**](https:/xmedia.gse.harvard.edu/LibraryofCongress) about our project, our collaboration with [**Journeys in Film**](https://journeysinfilm.org/)**,** 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**](/currently-wonder-project) about the Wonder Project and resources available. ![Image of Wonder Educator Resource Guide](/sites/g/files/omnuum4491/files/gse-edumedialab/files/screen_shot_2020-03-30_at_4.46.59_pm.png)