Media Literacy: "the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and communicate information in a variety of formats."
—David Considine
Emerging technologies, the global economy and the Internet are changing what it means to be literate. The digital age is transforming the quantity, range and speed of information and communication in our lives.
The mass media affect how we perceive and understand the world and people around us, from what we wear, eat and buy to how we relate to ourselves and others. In the 21st century, the ability to interpret and create media is a form of literacy as basic as reading and writing.
Teachers can engage students through the pop culture, news and even advertisements that surround them while helping to build critical thinking and analytic skills.
It is estimated that
North American children spend twice as much time over the course of a year watching television as they do in school. A recent study found that U.S. children spend over four and a half hours a day using television, computers and video games. As media saturate our lives, it is vital that children learn to decode messages and images, to ask critical questions about who is creating them and for what purpose. Media literacy is fundamental in helping young people to become informed citizens who can actively and successfully communicate with society and the world.
New technologies also provide new opportunities for youth as media creators, which can play a significant role in children's learning, encourage and support their creative expression, teach valuable cooperation and problem-solving skills and help them develop job skills required in our information economy.
The articles below explore the general goals, strategies and challenges of media literacy efforts. The Topic Guides offer specific information on:
• Integrating media literacy into other classroom subjects
• Youth media production
• Advertising/Marketing, consumerism, propaganda and privacy
• Representation, gender, race, ethnicity, social relationships, body image and stereotypes
• Violence in news and entertainment
• News/Journalism, bias, PR and ethics
Tips and tools for teaching can be found in the Teachers' Toolkit.
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What Is Media Literacy?
Canadian and U.S. media literacy experts answer this with short quotes introducing key concepts and definitions. From Media Awareness Network
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The Seven Great Debates In Media Literacy
Renee Hobbs brings forward opinions from diverse voices on the value of fostering media literacy in classrooms and communities. From Media Literacy Online Project
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Towards An African Media Literacy
South Africa now has a media education curriculum that must evolve
beyond international trends to reflect the country's unique history,
politics and culture, argues this article from European Schoolnet's
Media Education
section. From European Schoolnet
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Media Literacy: Selling Out The Real World?
Media literacy is being co-opted by industry giants, argues Carrie McLaren, and "concentrating on the overwhelming impact of mass media can actually extend its power." While deconstructing media is important, teachers must not neglect the study of real people, communities and issues. Reality-based inquiry, she suggests, provides a better foundation for
developing the skills required for true engagement and participation in the world. From Stay Free!
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Ingredients For Successful Media Studies
Barry Duncan provides strategies for integrating media literacy concepts and themes into the classroom, from the perspective that students should be encouraged to make independent media-related decisions. From Media Literacy Clearinghouse
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Skills & Strategies For Media Education
Media literacy is an ever-changing way of thinking and understanding in a world of strong words and images, writes Elizabeth Thoman. "Screenagers" — media-saturated kids — need to develop skills in order to recognize a culture that is shaped around the image. From Center For Media Literacy
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Media Education: 18 Basic Principles
U.K.-based educator Len Masterman identifies the underlying principles of media education from a theoretical perspective. From Media Literacy Online Project
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Welcome! Media literacy is the goal of a growing worldwide educational movement, thanks to many wonderful organizations, individuals and Web sites. MediaChannel's Media Literacy Classroom is designed to be an introduction to the issues as well as a gateway to the wealth of media literacy information and resources on the
Web. This first preview version introduces our Topic Guides, collected articles outlining the broad themes of media literacy, and Teachers' Toolkit, a searchable catalog of teaching units, lesson plans, activities and ideas. We have launched this Classroom preview to seek feedback and input as development continues (with special emphasis on incorporating more international material). Please share your suggestions with us, and please check back often as we expand and improve this new section of MediaChannel.
— Aliza Dichter (MediaChannel Senior Editor and Education Coordinator), Debbie James (Media Literacy Project Producer) and Murad Rayani (Media Literacy Researcher and Special Projects Producer)
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AS THE MEDIA WATCH THE WORLD, WE WATCH THE
MEDIA.
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Teachers' Toolkit