#Media Literacy Program

[newsepick]

Collaborative Learning, A New Way of Digital Learning

Every classroom has its own mix of personalities. 📚 The Topper who always has the answers. 💪 The Hardworker who never gives up. 🌀 The Wanderer who’s still figuring things out. 🎤 The Talker who brings energy into the room. 🤫 The Quiet Thinker who surprises everyone with deep insight. Not everyone learns the same way. And that’s exactly why collaborative learning matters. When students learn together, they don’t just understand better, they build empathy, confidence, and curiosity. They teach. They listen. They grow. At Newsepick, we’re reimagining learning as a shared journey. A digital space where every student brings something valuable to the table. So tell us, Which one were you in class? Or maybe… a little bit of everything? 👇 Comment below and tag a classmate who shaped your learning journey. For more details 📞 +91 9903999574 📧 support@newsepick.com 🌐 newsepick.com

[corvigay-clutter]

StoryCon 2025 Launch

The famous Teen Author Boot Camp program is EXPANDING!!!

I've attended events put on by Operation Literacy since I was a teenager, and I'm honored to be one of their Youth Outreach Interns this year! The switch from Teen Author Boot Camp to StoryCon is an exciting one, but we guarantee it's only more of what you've already grown to love from our organization!

StoryCon has tracks for all ages; we're taking the teen programs that are so beloved, and adding things for the general public, for educators, and for tweens! There are also masterclasses, a massive expo hall, and a main stage celebrating story in its many forms. Come join the party at the Salt Palace, February 21-22, 2025!

One of the largest book events ever to come to Utah, StoryCon is a writing conference and fan expo put on by Operation Literacy, a 501c3 nonprofit with a special emphasis in serving kids from under-served populations. Every ticket purchased helps provide access for more young writers and readers.

So many awesome authors will be attending our first year as StoryCon, including Jeff Kinney, Dhonielle Clayton, Shannon Hale, Neal Shusterman, Marissa Meyers, and many more! The full list of 14 keynotes and featured authors list is up TODAY along with registration over at StoryCon.org.

[lesbianstarlightglimmer]

Tbh the strangest and most concerning thing about kids that I’ve observed get steadily worse is how these kids just…don’t know how to use a computer???

Like if you put a 12-15 year old kid and my 50 something year old mom next to each other and asked them to copy and paste using a computer, both would look at me like a deer in headlights!!

And yes I know some of this is because schools just don’t really have computer classes anymore (like I had ones that taught “proper” typing, Microsoft office programs like Word and PowerPoint, etc.) but like??? Every school I’ve been to so far has had computers for students so they’re all on devices all the time yet still don’t know how to use them.

Hell, they barely know how to type a URL in! Like! Huh! I’m genuinely concerned about them not knowing how to use a computer properly and how they use it so freely without proper thought and care as to what they put out into the world.

[themosttenderestofbees]

the almost nine years in the u ndertale discourse trenches was all worth it ive finally won

[nitpick7]

hi, compsci major here (: i took a class on artificial intelligence last year! chatgpt is basically a really complicated predictive text machine. it just scours the internet and shoves words together that it thinks usually go together, and because the minds behind it did a good job, it tends to be mostly correct. but... you know what else is capable of scouring the internet for information and putting it together, but actually has a brain and can understand the context behind it? humans! chatgpt is just doing what humans do but a bit faster and a bit worse.

also, chatgpt is actually getting less intelligent. the speed and ease with which ai-generated content can be produced means that the internet has quickly become saturated with ai-generated content. now we have ai learning from ai, making a feedback loop where there's less and less real human intelligence involved each time. humans have the ability to look at writing and discern whether it was written by a human or a program, ai doesn't do that.

we do not need to use chatgpt. we can do everything it can do but better. and if you insist on using chatgpt, at least do it intelligently. don't just take everything it says at face value; that's what the ai does. we're better than that.

[jtwb768-babbles]

Redefining Prevention: Building Substance Use Strategies That Actually Work

The phrase “Just Say No” once stood at the forefront of America’s fight against drugs. It was catchy, blunt, and easy to plaster on school walls and billboards. But for many young people, it was also meaningless. It did not address what they were facing at home, online, or in their communities. It did not give them tools, support, or understanding. In truth, it was not prevention. It was…

[visenyaism]

do you have any ideas about why so many students are struggling with literacy now? I know that illiteracy and reading comprehension have been issues for years and most americans read at like a 5th grade reading level but I’m curious why it seems to be worse now (pandemic? no child left behind?)

It is everything. There’s not one answer. I could talk about this forever so instead I set a five minute timer on my phone and wrote a list of as many of the many things that are causing this on a systemic level that I could think of:

It’s parents not reading with their kids (a privilege, but some parents have that privilege to be able to do this and don’t.)

It’s youtube from birth and never being bored.

It’s phasing out phonics for sight words (memorizing without understanding sounds or meaning) in elementary schools in the early aughts.

It’s defunding public libraries that do all the community and youth outreach.

It’s NCLB and mandating standardized tests which center reading short passages as opposed to longform texts so students don’t build up the endurance or comprehension skills.

It’s NCLB preventing schools from holding students back if they lack the literacy skills to move onto the next grade because they can’t be left behind so they’re passed on.

It’s the chronic underfunding of ESL and Special Ed programs for students who need extra literacy support.

It’s the cultural devaluing of the humanities in favor of stem and business because those make more money which leads to a lot of students to completely disregard reading and writing.

It’s the learning loss from covid.

It’s covid trauma manifesting in a lot of students as learned helplessness, or an inability to “figure things out” or push through adversity to complete challenging tasks independently, especially reading difficult texts.

It’s covid normalizing cheating and copying.

It’s increasing phone use.

It’s damage to attention span exacerbated by increased phone use that leaves you without an ability to sit and be bored ever without 2-3 forms of constant stimulation.

It’s shortform video becoming the predominant form of social media content as opposed to anything text-based.

It’s starting to also be generative AI.

It’s the book bans.

what did I miss.

[latest-info]

The Role of Technology in Unveiling Knowledge Horizons

Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving world, technology plays a pivotal role in reshaping the horizons of knowledge. The unprecedented pace at which technology advances enables us to access, analyze, and disseminate information like never before. This article delves into how technology is unveiling new knowledge horizons, transforming education, research, communication, and societal…

[bubblewater]

If it starts in one state, it will spread to other states

Don’t let them take a mile by allowing them to move an inch

AO3 IS IN TROUBLE IF CALIFORNIAN AGE VERIFICATION LAW PASSES

An upcoming Age verification bill centered in California will be voted on Monday-- And as always,instead of actually protecting kids, it will lead to more online censorship and privacy risks, as it will force websites hosting to verify their users age by sending their ID, your browser history would be linked to it. if you live California, call your reps and tell them to oppose the bill AB3080 as it highly unconstitutional.

They also deem LGBT content harmful to minors, as well as mentions of weapons and tobacco, putting them on the same level as NSFW content.

Since AO3 headquarters reside in California, much like Reddit, Twitter,Discord and Youtube (and others) who knows how bad the effects would be. Instead of just effecting Californians (even then its concerning.) the effects would be US or even worldwide. VPNs wont help.

Please take actions here (a script is included to help you) https://www.defendonlineprivacy.com/ca/action.php

Find your rep here https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

You can also send faxes using this https://faxzero.com/

If you don't live in California, please talk about this,tag your friends and urge others to take actions, make posts and tweets using the hashtags AB3080 and NoOnAB3080

More info HERE

[newsepick]

Newsepick | Empower Minds, Not Just Upgrade Classrooms

The world is changing rapidly, and with it, the way we live, work, and connect. What if our classrooms could reflect that same pace of change? At Newsepick, we’re helping build a learning environment that’s dynamic, relevant, and rooted in real-world context. We believe education should spark curiosity, nurture critical thinking, and inspire students to engage with the world around them. ✨ Let’s shape learning that grows with our children—forward-thinking, future-ready, and full of purpose. Curious? Let’s explore what’s next. For more details 📞 +91 9903999574 📧 support@newsepick.com 🌐 newsepick.com

[danandfuckingjonlmao]

do you ever think about how we have phannies in every field? like we have doctors and baristas and mental health therapists and geologists and audiologists and engineers and neuroscientists and authors and social media consultants and activists and child care workers and museum managers and teachers and biologists and emts and linguists and accessibility coaches and sign language interpreters and artists and musicians and editors and actors and chefs and fucking EVERYTHING. not to mention the specific knowledge bases and hobbies we have outside of our professions—coding, linguistic and cultural diversity, artistic creativity, political/social awareness, passion for justice, research, make up and hair and fashion design, media literacy, philosophy, all of our special interests/hyperfixations, etc. we could run a successful commune no problem at all. we’re so smart and talented and resourceful and powerful.

the phandom is rooted in a past of being infamously shitty, and i do see yall slipping back into old habits sometimes (mostly on twitter but sometimes here and you know it <3) but it’s pretty fucking cool how capable this community is and our ability to unify. anyway phanmune when.

(if you want, leave your knowledge base/skills in the tags or replies. can be profession, hobby, major/program of study, what you study in your free time, what you want to learn about, what you’re interested, all of the above, anything)

[blackstarlineage]

25 Essential Principles for Black Conduct and Empowerment: A Garveyite Perspective

From a Garveyite perspective, Black people must uphold a code of conduct rooted in self-determination, unity, discipline, and economic independence to reclaim sovereignty and build a powerful Black world. Marcus Garvey emphasized that the liberation of Black people requires not just awareness but action, structure, and collective responsibility. Without a solid foundation of principles to guide conduct, Black people remain vulnerable to external control, disunity, and stagnation.

This analysis outlines 25 essential principles that Black people must adhere to for collective empowerment, ensuring that every aspect of life—from personal discipline to political strategy—aligns with Black self-reliance and Pan-African unity.

1. Prioritize Black Unity Over Petty Divisions

Black people must reject tribalism, nationality-based elitism, and class divisions that prevent global solidarity. Whether African, African American, Caribbean, or Afro-Latino, all Black people share a common struggle and destiny.

2. Be Loyal to Black Institutions, Not External Systems

Economic, educational, and political systems designed by non-Black entities often do not serve Black interests. Black people must build, support, and defend their own institutions to ensure self-governance.

3. Maintain Economic Discipline and Group Economics

Black people must spend, circulate, and invest money within their own communities rather than enriching non-Black businesses that do not support Black liberation. Wealth must serve the collective, not just the individual.

4. Reject Begging and Dependency

Garveyism teaches that self-reliance is the key to sovereignty. Seeking validation, reparations without self-building, or constant dependency on non-Black systems keeps Black people weak. We must create solutions, not wait for handouts.

5. Strengthen the Black Family Unit

A strong Black nation starts with strong families. Fatherhood, motherhood, and communal responsibility must be honoured. The intentional breakdown of the Black family is a tool of oppression, and reversing it is a revolutionary act.

6. Guard Black Cultural Identity Fiercely

Black culture must be protected from dilution, appropriation, and distortion. The global media industry manipulates Black culture for profit while degrading its revolutionary potential. Black people must reclaim their spiritual, artistic, and historical identities.

7. Reject Hyper-Consumerism and Materialism

Black empowerment is not measured by luxury brands, flashy lifestyles, or European standards of success. True power comes from ownership, land, and industry—not consumer status.

8. Develop Financial Literacy and Generational Wealth

Black people must prioritize financial education, investments, land ownership, and cooperative economics over short-term spending habits. Financial discipline determines power.

9. Master Self-Defense and Security

Black communities must be physically and strategically protected. Knowledge of self-defense, martial arts, and security strategies is essential to prevent exploitation, gentrification, and violence against Black people.

10. Respect and Elevate Black Women

Black women have always been at the forefront of liberation struggles. They must be honoured, protected, and empowered, while rejecting both misogyny and feminism that devalues traditional African family structures.

11. Reject White Validation and Seek Black Excellence

Seeking approval from white institutions, corporations, or governments weakens self-worth. Excellence must be defined on Black terms, not Western standards.

12. Eliminate Self-Hatred and Colourism

Black people must dismantle anti-Black programming, including colourism, texturism, and Eurocentric beauty standards. Loving Blackness is a revolutionary act.

13. Be Politically Aware but Not Emotionally Manipulated

Black people must engage in politics with strategic awareness, rather than blind emotional allegiance to parties that do not serve Black interests. Power is taken, not asked for.

14. Prioritize African Spirituality and Indigenous Practices

African spiritual systems have been demonized and replaced with religious systems that pacify Black resistance. Black people must reclaim ancestral knowledge and reject systems that promote blind obedience over empowerment.

15. Train Black Youth for Leadership and Legacy

Black children must be educated in liberation philosophy, economic empowerment, and self-discipline from an early age. The next generation must be trained, not just inspired.

16. Reject Degenerative Media and Narratives

Music, television, and films that promote self-destruction, hypersexuality, and violence against Black people must be rejected. Media that elevates, educates, and empowers Black minds must be supported.

17. Demand Accountability from Leaders

Black leaders—whether political, religious, or social—must be held to strict ethical and strategic standards. Personality cults and blind allegiance lead to betrayal and stagnation.

18. Build Pan-African Alliances Instead of Isolating Movements

No single Black community or nation can thrive alone. Black people worldwide must work together to secure land, resources, and industries.

19. Promote Self-Discipline and Mental Strength

A weak and undisciplined mind is easily controlled. Black people must master self-discipline in thought, habits, and actions to create a powerful global presence.

20. Reclaim the Warrior Spirit of Our Ancestors

African history is filled with warriors, revolutionaries, and empires that resisted colonization and slavery. Black people must embrace the warrior spirit rather than glorifying passivity.

21. Master Technology and Control the Digital Space

The future is digital, and Black people must own, develop, and master technology rather than being just consumers. Controlling media, cybersecurity, and AI is critical for sovereignty.

22. Protect and Defend Black Land and Resources

Black communities and nations must protect their land, agriculture, water sources, and raw materials from foreign control. Land ownership equals power.

23. Reject Integration as the Ultimate Goal

Integration into white society is not liberation. The goal must be nation-building, sovereignty, and Black self-governance, not assimilation.

24. Reject Criminality and Sabotage from Within

Internal destruction—whether through gang violence, betrayal, or corruption—keeps Black people weak. Code of conduct, integrity, and accountability must be upheld.

25. Make Black Consciousness and Excellence the New Standard

Mediocrity, victimhood, and aimless entertainment must be replaced with a culture of Black excellence, Pan-Africanism, and mastery of knowledge and power.

Conclusion: The Path to Black Sovereignty Is Discipline, Strategy, and Unity

From a Garveyite perspective, the liberation of Black people is not a dream but a responsibility. Without a strict code of conduct, discipline, and self-determination, Black people will remain vulnerable to exploitation, division, and external control.

Marcus Garvey built the largest Black organization in history because he understood that power comes from order, strategy, and a clear set of guiding principles. These 25 rules serve as a modern framework for achieving Black sovereignty, economic independence, and Pan-African unity.

The question is: Will we have the discipline to follow them?

[heartguardians]

I really don't know what to tell you if you can rewatch the pilot and then, say, season 5, and tell me that these characters haven't changed. They all have, not just Nandor. All of them actually tried to encourage Guillermo to express his feelings in the finale; in the first season, they frequently ignored him and told him to shut up whenever he tried. And again, these are just a handful of examples.

Also, even if they hadn't developed these characters over the entire previous seasons of the show, there's also the fact that "it's unsatisfying and reductive on purpose, actually" isn't a flex. It's bad writing. The journey of getting characters from point A to point B is the craft of writing. So even if they had managed to pull off their alleged thesis, it would still be bad! Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean that you SHOULD. It's just not how storytelling works.

So I've seen some really weird takes about the What We Do in the Shadows finale complaining about how they didn't wrap up all the stories or characters not having completed arcs…

…and I'm like, did you not watch the episode?

That's literally THE WHOLE POINT.

Like the entire thesis of the show is that these characters don't change. And the finale is a commentary on both that AND how when documentaries end… the people in them keep living their lives.

Like most mockumentaries ignore the fact that in real life "storylines" don't get wrapped up. It's not even subtext -- it's TEXT. Guillermo literally talks about it in the episode.

I'm pulling my hair out with these people. Media literacy is truly dead.

[squid-socks]

Shit that genuinely sucks and we need to stop calling “you sound like an old man” type problems. They are modern and actual issues:

AI phone operators. If they program that shit for 3 things and none of those things are what you need you just aren’t getting help.

Really hard to navigate “delete account” options with unclear outcomes. Even more so; “pause accounts” which look like “cancel account” and would confuse anyone whose tired or stressed and in a hurry. So suddenly payments come out in like a month bcs the account is unpaused??

Tiny and delayed x buttons on ads or “plus” versions of accounts🌝

Needing 10000 social media’s and apps a day accounts to have a normal running life. From socialising to work to food and savings. (I’m broke of course I have the fucking Tesco app with how they price gouge)

Everything’s an app now and all the websites suck. Why??? Idk. We’re in the bad place.

Everything comes per email and all things can be confirmed and adjusted online. This has its benefits - but having an option to say “only works in person with physical card” or something would help so many people manage all their online crap and avoid the constant threat of fraud!??

EVERYTHING NEEDS AN ACCOUNT EVERY WEBSITE EVEN GAMES YOU BUY ONLINE WANG SOME WEIRD ONLINE ACCOUNT UNRELATED TO THE GAME ITSELF???? It’s free but give us all your information that someone else will use to make certain things excessively more expensive on your phone. Which btw you can’t leave anywhere now as everything in your life HAS to be on it. And most things you need you will need to buy on it.

Always on that damn phone. Addiction. Eye problems. Back problems. Brain damage. Depression. The stupids. Anger issues. It’s a fucking problem.

Being a dick is just ok now?? Especially in the service industry. It actually is kind of a problem?? I don’t know how some of these people are genuinely still hired? Yes you can be underpaid and unnecessarily a dick. I’m not the one paying you. Nor am I the one abusing you - re-fucking-lax.

People who play music out loud in public??? I mean that’s just an asshole move???

People who work a trade related to fixing shoes and clothes are vanishing but also suck half the time???

Nowhere to walk anymore?? Nature is being swallowed up.

Food quality and flavour is in the toilet

No one mends or takes care of anything they own or buy anymore and consumerism is at a crazy high. We have no control over ourselves or the situation.

The “community” is dead. Ya know that thing that gave us the power to be informed and resolute and comforted by each others support - yeh that’s gone.

How expensive public transport has gotten. Fr tho.

Gum. No bcs actually it’s everywhere and it’s bad. We at least need more eco friendly hum or something. And some people need to learn to chew with their mouths closed!??

Having ads for plus versions of accounts or ads in general you can’t exit out of and only show “proceed” - that are a 50/50 shot; if you click that it will either THEN go to an exit ad page or automatically give you this subscription.

Having to close a whole app to get rid of an ad bcs there is no x button. And as a continuation to the previous bullet point; when you reopen the app and they insistently give you the ad each time and you STILL don’t know if it’s an automatic subscription or just to get to the “close ad” page.

Disinformation and misinformation actually being fucking believable. AI is good at deceit. Especially with rage bate and a high necessity for internet literacy (which needs to be updated basically daily). It’s easy to fall for something stupid and wrong. Even more so with genuine articles and news sources lying to your face or taking info from bad sources like tick tock. A busy person has 5min to read the news daily they can’t fact check literally everyone!??? (Also people under 30 where eating tide pods and putting their phones in microwaves so if grandma falls for a Facebook post I don’t wanna hear a single damn snicker you hypocrites 👀👀👀)

Sorry I’m gonna stop😅

[palinecrosis]

“how are you anti ai but like dbh? did you even play the game?”

did you play the game? genuine question, how many of you have played dbh and the lesson you learned was “we need to embrace ai” because that is absolutely not what it’s about.

humans are the ones responsible for the sentience of androids. they’re the ones responsible for their slavery and creation. they’re the ones who made androids to serve them, to make their life easier. and when they fought back they regretted funding their creation. because now, their exploitation, previously aimed at humans, can’t be justified anymore.

people like ai because it allows them to be lazy, carefree. you don’t have to learn how to draw, you don’t need to refine your tools or your your art style when you can just ask a program to generate a piece for you. you don’t need to learn how to write, come up with prompts, spend years finding your style and fixing your vocabulary, go through phases of horrible and cringeworthy writing, because guess what? you can ask chatgpt to write it for you.

and when corporations discover that they will use it to their advantage, replacing humans with ai. so 30 years down the line, when a machine enters your work force, does your job 10x better than you and lands you homeless, of fucking course you’re going to be angry and android hating.

the issue that dbh addresses is (in that universe) blaming sentient ai for the evil that corporations commit. again, they created ai, they created it so that it has the possibility of being sentient, using it to do jobs no one wants to do, take it even further and make them do jobs (arguably) to replace marginalised people who need those jobs. so the “bad guy” in dbh aren’t the rightfully angry citizens, who have no concept or understanding of deviancy, and it’s not androids either, it’s fucking elijah kamski. and all the other fuckers at the top. they create infighting between workers to distract from class differences.

if ai became sentient it’d absolutely be morally wrong to mistreat them, because they have consciousness and emotions. being anti ai is being against narrow and generative ai which is 1. bad for the environment 2. is theft!! not fucking hypothetical robots who possibly have feelings. improve your media literacy people.

[misfitwashere]

Trump's attack on the American mind

Behind his closure of the Education Department, his assault on higher education, on science, and on libraries and museums, lie the oligarchs of the techno-state.

ROBERT REICH

MAR 20

Friends,

Today, Trump is dismantling the Department of Education. He’s ordering wrestling executive-turned-Education Secretary Linda McMahon to shut her department. 

His executive order will effectively destroy a $100 billion-a-year executive department created by Congress under President Jimmy Carter 45 years ago. 

But there’s a much larger plan here.

Combine this with Trump’s attacks on higher education — his gutting the funding of the National Institutes of Health (which provides a large portion of biomedical research) and the National Science Foundation (engineering and computer research), and his effective closure of USAID (which underwrites research in global diseases).

Put this together with Trump’s (and RFK Jr.’s) attacks on vaccine science, 

Combine this with Trump’s attacks on the freedom of speech of university students and professors. 

And Trump’s and rightwing governors’ attacks on teaching the truth in our schools about America’s history of slavery and Native American genocide. 

Put this together with Trump’s attack on America’s libraries — last week’s executive order mandating cuts in the funding of libraries around the country — which will jeopardize literacy development and reading programs, reliable internet access for those without it at home, and homework help and other resources for students and educators.

Combine this with his attacks on America’s museums (the same executive order cut their funding, too). And his attack on the arts, as illustrated by Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center (last month, he announced himself its new chair, replaced 13 board members, and inserted a new interim president). 

What’s the larger picture? What’s the overall purpose? 

Not to mount an “attack on the liberal state,” as I keep reading. Not “a culmination of Trump’s culture wars.” Or that Trump seeking “small government” over “big government,” or is advancing traditional conservatism over traditional liberalism. 

What’s really occurring is an attack on the American mind. 

Throughout history, tyrants have understood that their major enemy is an educated citizenry. Slaveholders prohibited slaves from learning to read. Nazi’s burned books. 

Ignorance is the handmaiden of tyranny. 

Those who believe in democracy, on the other hand, have been at the forefront of the movement for free, universal public education; and for public libraries, museums, and the arts. They understand that democracy depends on people knowing what’s occurring around them and having the capacity to deliberate critically about it. 

Trump is only the frontman in this attack on the American mind. 

The attack is really coming from the anti-democracy movement: From JD Vance; and from Vance’s major financial backer, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who staked $15 million on Vance’s Ohio senatorial election in 2022 and helped convince Trump to make Vance vice president; and from Thiel’s early business partner, Elon Musk. 

Thiel is a self-styled libertarian who once wrote: “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.”

Hello? Freedom is incompatible with democracy only if you view democracy as a potential constraint on your wealth and power.

Behind Vance and Musk is a libertarian community of rich crypto bros, tech executives, back-to-the-landers, and disaffected far-right intellectuals.

Curtis Yarvin comes as close as anyone as being their intellectual godfather. He has written that political power in the United States is held by a liberal amalgam of universities and the mainstream media whose commitment to equality and justice is eroding America’s social order.

In Yarvin’s view, democratic governments are inefficient and wasteful. They should be replaced with sovereign joint-stock corporations whose major “shareholders” select an executive with total power, who serves at their pleasure. Yarvin refers to the city-state of Singapore as an example of a successful authoritarian regime.

Make no mistake: Trump’s attack on the American mind — on education, science, libraries, and museums — is an attack on the capacity of Americans for self-government.

It is coming from the oligarchs of the techno-state who believe democracy is inefficient, and want to replace it with an authoritarian regime replete with technologies they control. 

Be warned.