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hackerBring up the term "media literacy" with a group of people and a dozen different ideas come to mind. Some people will think of "film studies courses" where students analyze characters, plot, and cinematography. While others start complaining about the quality of television. Still others will recall a middle school class where they learned about advertising techniques that TV commercials use.

Media literacy, computer literacy, technology literacy, information literacy, science literacy… what does it all mean? What is media literacy and why are there so many different perspectives?

This page focuses on media literacy. For information on the larger issue of information literacy, go to Approaches to Information and Communication Literacy at eduScapes Teacher Tap. For related information about visual literacy, read Visual Literacy by Annette Lamb at eduScapes Activate and The On-Line Visual Literacy Project from Pomona College.

Media Literacy Defined

Media literacy is the ability to read, interpret, use, design, and create audio and video materials for specific outcomes. This includes thinking, learning, and expressing oneself using media.

Since media is all around us, some people may think that everyone is naturally media literacy. Young people are typically large consumers of all types of media including Internet, television, radio, movies, and computers. Of course anyone can become a couch potato and view television and music as a passive medium. Media literate people view their interaction with media as active.

readRead the off-site article, Making a Case for Media Literacy in the Curriculum: Outcomes and Assessment by Erica Scharrer (Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, Dec 2002) from Reading Online.

readRead the off-site article, Media Literacy: An Alternative to Censorship by Marjorie Heins & Christina Cho from the Free Expression Policy Project.

From television commercials to news media, people need to be aware of how media impacts opinions and life. An important part of an effective media literacy program is helping people analyze and interpret audio and video communications.

Explore some ideas for media literacy in the following areas:

Television Programs

Students spend a tremendous amount of time watching television and videos of television programs. How do we help children and young adults become good consumers of these materials? Use the following resources with students to explore television and video resources:

News Programs

newsNews is an important way for students to learn about the world outside their home and classroom. Unfortunately much of the news focuses on violent images such as wars and disasters. It's important for students to gain perspective on these events by analyzing and evaluating what they see. Use the following resources with students exploring news programming:

washerAdvertising

Television and radio advertising is a multibillion dollar industry. Political candidates, organizations, companies, and individuals all want to promote their ideas or products. Students need to be aware of the purpose and impact of advertisements. Use the following resources with students exploring media advertising:

Music, Radio, and Audio Media

Although many media education programs focus on video, audio is equally important. Are children really listening to the lyrics of the music they play? Use the following resources with students exploring music, radio, and audio media:

readSkim through some of the sections of Sound Learning from Minnesota Public Radio. Check out some of the ideas for various subject areas. Select some aspect of auditory literacy such as listening to music, stories, or oral directions. List specific skills that are associated with an area. Select one and describe an activity for public or school libraries that would help address this area. What resources could be used to support your activity?

Diversity

Does media provide an accurate representation of people of all ages, sizes, races, and backgrounds? From the violence to women heard in rap music to depictions of casual sex found in movies, students need to be able to identify distorted views in audio and video materials. Students also need the opportunity to view positive representations of various people.

Explore resources focus on understanding media and their effects on children.

readRead Understanding the Impact of Media on Children and Teens (Written for parental audience) from the American Academy of Pediatrics for more information about the impact of media.

Media Studies

When students go to the movies, view movie clips on the Internet, or watch a video in class, are they passive or active viewers? Explore activities to promote critical and creative thinking.

readMedia Literacy Review contains excellent editorials and articles related to media literacy issues. Select one of their topic areas and choose an article to summarize and discuss.

Then, select some aspect of media literacy such as evaluating advertisements, identifying bias in news coverage, or examining the accuracy of a historical fiction movie. List specific skills that are associated with this area. Then, brainstorm activities that would help address this area. What resources could be used to support these types of activities?

Media Literacy Resources

Many excellent materials are available online to help you teach media literacy. The following materials provide resources, articles, and links to quality materials. Although most of the websites provide a balanced approach, note that some will provide a more conservative or liberal approach. Select those materials that best reflect the needs of your community. Canada has a long tradition of teaching media literacy. As a result, you'll find that many of the best materials are housed at Canadian websites.

Media Literacy Standards and Curriculum Guides

Media Literacy Teaching Materials

questionExplore Computers, Libraries and information Literacy from Developing Educational Standards; look at the standards of various states and provinces. Identify outcomes that relate directly or indirectly to the use of audio and video materials. Or, check Education Standards at eduScapes Teacher Tap for content area standard relating to media literacy.