Course Logistics

Strengthen your approach to civic learning by integrating inquiry, primary sources, media literacy, and meaningful classroom discussion. In this course, you'll explore practical strategies for helping students evaluate information critically, use primary sources to deepen civic knowledge and skills, and engage in thoughtful conversations about complex issues that foster informed and active civic participation. Dates:  Fall 2026: Wednesday, October 21 to Tuesday, November 17, 2026  Live Sessions (via Zoom):  Session One: Monday, November 2, 2026 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm EST OR Monday, November 9, 2026 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm EST Spring 2027: Wednesday, March 10 to Tuesday, April 6, 2027 Live Sessions (via Zoom):  Session One: TBD Course Format: Virtual & Asynchronous Duration: 15 hours; 10 hours asynchronous, one 1.5 hour workshop Professional Development Points (PDPs): 15 Fee: $600 for all educators outside of Massachusetts (no charge for Massachusetts public school educators)

Course Overview

9 Chapters · 38 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction

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      Pre-Course Survey

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      Developing Media and News Literacy

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      What is Media Literacy? (30 minutes)

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      What Is News Literacy? (20 minutes)

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      Key Principles of Media Literacy (50 minutes)

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      Key Principles of News Literacy (50 minutes)

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      AI and Media Literacy

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      Working with Librarians to Teach News Literacy

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      Explore Thoughtful Media Production (50 minutes)

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      Additional Resources

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      Closing

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      Resource 1: Media Literacy Bulletin 2

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      Civic Learning Through Inquiry

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      Initial Reflection

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      What is Inquiry? (60 minutes)

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      Why is Inquiry Important? (75 minutes)

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      Supporting Students in Developing Inquiry-Related Skills (60 minutes)

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      Closing

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      Engaging with Primary Sources for Civic Learning

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      Primary Sources and Why They Matter in Civics (40 minutes)

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      Identifying the Civic Learning Opportunities in a Source (25 minutes)

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      Designing Access To and Engagement With Primary Sources (80 minutes)

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      Helping Students Become Critical Consumers of Primary Sources (25 minutes)

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      Thoughtful Production of Primary Sources for Civic Engagement (25 minutes)

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      Putting It All Together (25 minutes)

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      Additional Resources

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      Closing

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      Resource 1: Gallery Walk

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      Resource 2: Public Service Announcement

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      Resource 3: PSA Video Transcript

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      Managing Classroom Conversations about Difficult Topics (Live Workshop via Zoom)

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      Closing

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      Resource 1: Strategies for Difficult Conversations in the Classroom

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      Live Session One: Managing Classroom Conversations about Difficult Topics

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      Live Session One: Managing Classroom Conversations about Difficult Topics

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      Post-Course Survey

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      Culminating Task: Media Literacy and Civic Reasoning in High School Classrooms

About Primary Source

Primary Source educates global citizens by working with teachers to foster students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions for thoughtful and engaged citizenship. With our guidance and resources, teachers cultivate students’ civic-mindedness, cultural awareness, and global competence, preparing them for our increasingly diverse and interconnected world. We collaborate with teachers, schools, and educational organizations to offer professional development programs and resources that help make global, civics, and cultural education an integral part of every student’s classroom experience. Our engaging face-to-face and online programs, curriculum resources, and international study tours enhance global understanding, civic engagement, and cultural understanding, and help thousands of teachers every year bring the wider world to their students. To learn more, visit our homepage at primarysource.org!