"Nobody is as smart as everybody." -Kevin Kelly
Being able to comprehend and decipher relevant information in its presented form, is the key to media literacy. Media literacy is the process of analyzing, evaluating and creating messages through a variety of media forms (Wikipedia, 2009). It entails the ability to ‘read’, critically evaluate, and organize information in any specified medium. Being literate in media suggests that the respondents are able to analyze messages to understand their origin and purpose. Because we live in the Information Age and our society is inundated with information in a variety of forms, it is more important now than ever, that we hone in and develop critical thinking skills. Through the development of these skills, learners will be prepared to critically analyze data and apply that knowledge to create new information.
I think that the most important concepts for students to understand are their role in acquiring knowledge and the significance of collaboration in forming new knowledge. When these concepts are fostered, learners are better equipped to think independently, while asking questions that lead to inquiry-based knowledge. As a result, they are able to contribute data processed to global discussions and service the world with the education that they have obtained. Because good questions are the driving force of critical and creative thinking, the assumption can be made that the concept of questions is crucial when processing information. Thus, the act of questioning becomes a meaningful, lifelong quest (Wesch, 2008).
The concept I want my students to understand most is the importance of thinking critically to deconstruct media. I want them to understand their own significance and the role that they play in their own learning as they inquire about various topics and ask questions that they journey to understand. Because tomorrow’s learner has so much information at their disposal, they are faced with the need to be equipped to develop and internalize a coherent and consistent process for analyzing content and managing information (Share, Jolls, & Thoman, 2005). According to the Center for Media Literacy, the five key questions that should be asked when interpreting media are:
1.) Who created this message?
2.) What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?
3.) How might different people understand this message differently?
4.) What values, lifestyles and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message?
5.) Why is this message being sent? (Share et al., 2005)
These questions encourages the learner to exercise higher order thinking skills and challenges the learner to think critically about information. As an educator, I feel that my goal is to illicit a love for learning in my students. After teaching a research class last year, I became even more aware of the need for learners to connect with and find significance in what they are learning. When this occurs, authentic learning occurs and students become excited about the quest for knowledge.
Resources that you guys might find useful:
A Portal to Media Literacy by Michael Wesch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4yApagnr0s
Awesome video lecture that delves more into the topic of media literacy. This is the same author of the Anti-teaching article that we read last week.
Center for Media Literacy
http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article661.html
This website publishes a classroom activity guide with 25 core lesson plans for K-12 media literacy. The activity guide is a free download on their website.
References
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