Media Literacy is a huge topic of discussion throughout the world of education, as the growth of technology and media grows. In schools, teachers are now starting to teach this to their students and help them grow in their understanding of media. So, what even is media literacy? And how can we incorporate it in our classrooms?
Let's start with media. What is media? Media is defined by Technopedia as "the plural form of medium, which describes any channel of communication. This can include anything from printed paper to digital data, and encompasses art, news, educational content and numerous other forms of information." So basically, there is so much media out there. Some examples would be social media platforms (like Facebook), a newspaper, a journal, television, music, video games, and more. Media spreads information and creates new forms of communication through technology.
So now that we know what media is, what is media literacy?
Media Literacy, as defined by CML (Center for Media Literacy), is "a 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy."
So what does this definition mean? This definition portrays media literacy as a new way to teach with media forms so that the students are able to understand more about media and why it is important. So basically, media literacy is teaching kids about how to use media and why it is vital to know how to use it. Basically, media can be used to produce your own medium, to critique and analyze articles, to evaluate credibility, to have access to new information, and more. Media has created such a huge impact on the world around us and also how we see things. So, it is important to teach kids at a young age to know how to use it and be able to form their ideas from the ideas put forth in the media.
In the video below created by Media Literacy Now, their is a discussion about how media literacy is the key to the way students see messages and the world around them. I invite you to take a look:
So what is important to include in a Media Literacy Education?
The National Association for Media Literacy Education states six core principles for media literacy. They are: requires active inquiry and critical thinking about messages, expands the concept of literacy to all forms of media, builds and reinforces skills of all ages, develops informed reflective and engaged participants essential for a democracy, recognizes that media is part of culture, and affirms that people use their own experiences and skills to construct their own meaning from media. So for media literacy to truly be in your classroom, you need to create learning experiences and opportunities where the students are able to fulfill these core principles.
So why should teachers include media literacy in the curriculum?
Teachers should include include media literacy because it is so important because of the growth of technology and media not only in the students' home and life, but also their future jobs. More and more, people are getting hired for their technological skills and media knowledge. As teachers, we are called to support students to be successful in life through their knowledge and learning. The students won't be successful if we just completely skip on teaching them important knowledge about media. So, it is very important that teachers teach media literacy and also learn about it themselves.
Citations
CML: Center for Media Literacy. (n.d.). Media Literacy: A Definition and More. Retrieved February 17, 2019, from https://www.medialit.org/media-literacy-definition-and-more
Media Literacy Now. (2017, January 17). What is Media Literacy? Retrieved February 17, 2019, from https://youtu.be/GIaRw5R6Da4
National Association for Media Literacy Education. (2007). Core Principles of Media Literacy Education in the United States. Cherry Hill, NJ: NAMLE. Retrieved from https://namle.net/publications/core-principles/
Scheibe, C. & Rogow, F. (2008). 12 Basic Ways to Integrate Media Literacy and Critical Thinking into Any Curriculum (3rd ed.). Ithaca, NY: Ithaca College. Retrieved from http://www.projectlooksharp.org/12BasicWays.pdf
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