Delving into the world of media literacy, something that everyone inundated in on a daily basis. You might not realize it, but you are constantly being show media literacy, be it the story in your local paper, the billboard you drive by, or the ad you see on the side of the page in the Google search engine. These are all different things that are trying to sell you a product or get you to support a particular viewpoint.
Media literacy is typically thought of in two different versions. Media literacy version 1 is talking about the written word as far as book, newspapers and magazines. Typically using ads in print to persuade individuals to buy or support something. Media literacy version 2 is primarily about using online/digital media and sources to persuade viewers to a certain point. The primary different between the two, is that in version 1, others were telling us about stuff (ads, stories, etc). In version 2, we ourselves are creating the ads, stories, etc. and sending them to others.
All aspects of media literacy are important, but I think the biggest one for me is the decoding. The ability to look at an image and figure out what it really trying to sell you and understand that before making a decision. Teaching that skill is difficult, but so important for kids and adults these days. With so much advertising occurring in front of you all the time (Facebook, Google, CNN, etc.), each person needs to be able to tell how adds are impacting them.
I really liked the InCrl lessons on media literacy. (http://www.teachinctrl.org/) I am planning to encourage staff and students to look at the information between InCrl and Common Sense Media learn and create lessons from. The amount of detail that went into the InCrl lessons is staggering. It gives break downs of each section, how to teach it to a class, and what the expected results are. Primarily aimed at 4 to 8 grade students, but great for older students as well.
Media literacy is typically thought of in two different versions. Media literacy version 1 is talking about the written word as far as book, newspapers and magazines. Typically using ads in print to persuade individuals to buy or support something. Media literacy version 2 is primarily about using online/digital media and sources to persuade viewers to a certain point. The primary different between the two, is that in version 1, others were telling us about stuff (ads, stories, etc). In version 2, we ourselves are creating the ads, stories, etc. and sending them to others.
All aspects of media literacy are important, but I think the biggest one for me is the decoding. The ability to look at an image and figure out what it really trying to sell you and understand that before making a decision. Teaching that skill is difficult, but so important for kids and adults these days. With so much advertising occurring in front of you all the time (Facebook, Google, CNN, etc.), each person needs to be able to tell how adds are impacting them.
I really liked the InCrl lessons on media literacy. (http://www.teachinctrl.org/) I am planning to encourage staff and students to look at the information between InCrl and Common Sense Media learn and create lessons from. The amount of detail that went into the InCrl lessons is staggering. It gives break downs of each section, how to teach it to a class, and what the expected results are. Primarily aimed at 4 to 8 grade students, but great for older students as well.