Amy Jussel - Digital Dogs Media Literacy Books - The Secret of the Vanishing Bones: Tracking the Data Trail - 440

<p></p> <p></p> <p>Amy Jussel - Digital Dogs Media Literacy Books - The Secret of the Vanishing Bones: Tracking the Data Trail. This is episode 440 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. </p> <p>Amy Jussel, the founder of Shaping Youth, has authored a first of its kind children’s book series building on her national media literacy education expertise to embed digital savvy into K-5 storytelling.</p> <p> With screen time doubled via online learning, now more than ever critical thinking skills specific to media and devices are a necessity to help kids navigate the ever-changing influences of the digital landscape.  The first book in the series, “The Secret of the Vanishing Bones: Tracking the Data Trail” centers around data privacy as a playful pack of pups sleuth, sniff around and dig deeper into questions about media messages and the technology being used. Readers build core inquiry habits and develop digital detective skills while solving the mystery.</p> <p>Unlike any other in the “kid lit” genre, each book embeds both digital and media literacy into the storyline, so kids develop the ability to detect, discern and reflect on the media coming their way, instilling healthy, habit-forming questioning of all content. Who made this and why? What does this want me to think about? Why does this site know what I like already? Through subtle, seamless storytelling kids pick up life skills and tech tips, raising awareness of media and influences online and off.</p> <p>“I strongly feel media literacy should be taught in every classroom as early as kindergarten, but we can’t wait around for that legislation,” Jussel said, “…informal learning through stories, activities and hands-on fun gets us there faster. Whether it’s delivered by parents, educators, siblings or a read aloud group, kids need these inquiry skills, yesterday.”</p> <p>Amy spent over 20+ years as a writer/producer in print, broadcast and film, (e.g. cable, travel documentaries for Reader’s Digest/Sunset Films, etc.) She began in t