4.1: Introduction to Media Literacy
In this subunit, we explore the meaning of media literacy in a digital age. Media, as a form of communication, is never ideologically neutral. Therefore, it is important to develop critical skills to analyze and evaluate media online. Media literacy also encompasses the skills of creating media, so we encourage learners to participate in the optional photo challenge for each pathway in this micro-course.
Upon successful completion of this subunit, you will be able to:
- define media literacy for a digital age;
- list issues associated with media literacy for youth and adults; and
- critically analyze a media release justifying the evaluation perspective.
Watch this short promotional video featuring Joey Papa, a media and film maker, produced for the 2015 media literacy week hosted by the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE).
In this section, we reflect on a widely used definition of media literacy and the issues associated with the concept for learning in a digital age.
Watch this video and complete the activity. In this extract from the Real Time interview with Bill Maher, President Obama highlights the importance for a modern democracy of educating our children on media literacy.
At its most basic level, media is closely related to the communication as the exchange of information and meaning. In this section we introduce types of communication and theoretical models of communication within the context of cultural roles of communication in everyday life.
Mini Challenge Summary
Summary: Critical review of a press release. Time: 1 hour.
Linked to Task 1 of Edubit assessment for LiDA104.
Press releases are inherently biased because they typically aim to put a positive spin on the announcement and therefore provide an ideal format for critical evaluation.
Optional: Continue to participate in the LiDA Photo Challenge.