{"id":104,"date":"2023-05-16T11:55:02","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T15:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/oce\/?p=104"},"modified":"2023-05-16T13:17:41","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T17:17:41","slug":"students-at-west-view-learn-about-the-power-of-storytelling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/oce\/2023\/05\/16\/students-at-west-view-learn-about-the-power-of-storytelling\/","title":{"rendered":"Students at West View learn about the power of storytelling"},"content":{"rendered":"

OCE team members Kelli Huth (Associate Vice President for Community Engagement) and Michelle Kinsey (Communications Manager) attended a recent journalism event at West View Elementary School.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

About 100 fifth graders were gathered in the cafeteria to listen to Ball State University journalism lecturer Kate Elliott talk about the power of storytelling <\/em>and the importance of media literacy.<\/em><\/p>\n

We asked her to share more about the event and she was kind enough to send us a recap:<\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been telling stories, I told them, since we\u2019ve written on cave walls. And we will continue to crave stories and knowledge, even if the way in which we tell stories and gain information.<\/p>\n

We talked about how stories connect and inspire us, how they provide meaning and transmit cultural values, and how they challenge us to understand worlds, lifestyles, and experiences we might never know otherwise. When we share stories through journalism, I added, we break down barriers and often inspire empathy, understanding and action.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Stories are at the heart of journalism, as reporters tell stories and share information about every aspect of our lives, through every communication channel. It\u2019s a big responsibility because your reporting affects how people vote, how they manage their money and medical decisions, what movies they watch, where they eat, how they raise their kids and where they travel, among many other aspects of their lives.<\/p>\n

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Journalism lecturer Kate Elliott leads the students in the journalist’s oath.<\/p><\/div>\n

Danger in a Single Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

We talked about the danger in telling and listening to a single story. Only hearing a story or information from one perspective or source can lead to stereotypes and misinformation. If you only hear stories about Mexican immigrants in gangs, for instance, you miss out on the stories about Mexicans who come to the United States to become doctors, scientists and more.<\/p>\n

Misinformation vs. Disinformation<\/strong><\/p>\n

We talked about the difference between misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation is unintentionally getting it wrong (i.e., telling Sarah the show starts at 6 p.m. when it starts at 5 p.m. because you thought it starts at 6). Disinformation is intentionally sharing deceptive information (i.e., telling Sarah the show starts at 6 p.m. because you want her to miss the 5 p.m. show). I cautioned them against using the term \u201cfake news\u201d because it associates the word \u201cfake\u201d with \u201cnews.\u201d Although there is disinformation disguised as news, the term \u201cnews\u201d is often associated with informing the public for a greater good.<\/p>\n

A Media Diet<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just like there is danger in a single story, we talked about the dangers in reading, listening or watching a single news source. Consuming content from multiple places is a big part of media literacy \u2014 or the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media. I told the students I think of media consumption as any other diet. Sure, you can eat Oreos and Cheetos, but you also need to eat proteins, fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy diet. Similarly, if you consume a diverse rainbow of content, and you will be able to find the truth.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>I shared strategies and questions to maintain a healthy media diet:<\/p>\n