Week 7

Media literacy means being able to think critically about the messages, signs, and symbols that come from social media.The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) says that media literacy is the skill of being able to use all forms of communication to receive, understand, rate, create, and act. Reading and writing about media helps us understand the messages we get and use these tools to make and share our own messages. Literacy is taught in a more modern way that takes into account how people today use media and knowledge in different ways.

(Image source: LSE)


It's also important to think about Media literacy as a set of skills that includes how we find information, how we think about it, how we share our results and opinions, and even how we make things (Team, 2022). However, technological advancements have always impacted both the production and consumption of media. For instance, the printing press, radio, television, the internet, and now connected devices have all facilitated media production and accessibility (Team, 2022). Media literacy has evolved, so emphasizing it makes sense. However, media literacy has become even more crucial due to news source polarization, fake news, and prejudiced and misleading media.The subject grows more complicated with media literacy(Team, 2022).

When discussing the importance of media literacy, it is essential to mention Renee Hobbs and her valuable contributions. Highlighting the inquiry of how educators might utilize digital and media resources to enhance academic success across all courses and topic domains. Renee Hobbs addresses the core of that inquiry in her book Digital and Media Literacy: Connecting Culture and Classroom. Hobbs explains her "Process Model for Digital and Media Literacy" after justifying digital and media education. Her "5 Communication Competencies or Steps" process can be used in many content areas. She calls these "the essential dimensions of digital and media literacy.". 

Hobbs believes "access" starts digital and media literacy. It involves "finding and sharing useful knowledge via media texts and technology (Hobbs, 2011). Students must uncover and identify assignment or difficulty-related material. That requires access skills. Next, Hobbs step two is ‘analyze’ which is "using critical thinking to analyze message purpose, target audience, quality, veracity, credibility, point of view, and potential effects or consequences of messages." Students must be able to examine digital and media communications and information for rhetoric and communication components (Hobbs, 2011). Furthermore, "create" The third step is "composing or generating content using creativity and confidence in self-expression, with awareness of purpose, audience, and composition techniques into the world of digital and media (Hobbs, 2011)." Effective digital and media content creation and reception are essential for students. Now we must go into phase four, "reflect" Reflection examines how media and technology affect our daily thoughts and actions. It means "applying social responsibility and ethical principles to our own identity, communication, and behavior." Reflection helps students utilize and create digital and media products compassionately (Hobbs, 2011). Finally, competence means "working individually or collaboratively to share knowledge and solve problems in the family, workplace, and community (Hobbs, 2011)." Community and world involvement. Students must tackle problems using digital media and global networking.

In my opinion, Hobbs provides a comprehensive explanation of media literacy and offers strategies for students to engage with and learn from it. Additionally, Hobbs expands on the steps or competencies required for effective communication and provides in-depth discussion and information on how to incorporate them into the classroom and across different subjects.

(Image Source: Medium)

Now let's discuss the concept of "The medium is the message," coined by Marshall McLuhan. This term suggests that the characteristics of a medium become an integral part of the information it conveys, resulting in a mutually influential relationship where the medium shapes how the message is interpreted. 

"The Medium is the Message" concept is connected to Hobbs' "5 Communication Competencies or Steps" through step 5, which is Act. This phase involves the process of sharing knowledge and solving problems either individually or collectively in many contexts such as the family, workplace, and community. It refers to actively engaging in both local and global communities. Hobbs suggests that this stage entails establishing a connection between students in the classroom and the outside world, fostering their growth as leaders and promoting collaboration. Additionally, it requires cultivating integrity and accountability in students as they assume their roles as global citizens. Students must actively utilize digital and media resources to solve challenges while also capitalizing on global connectivity.

As educators, we may foster media literacy by utilizing fundamental media literacy inquiries to analyze various forms of information. Is this statement a fact, an opinion, or another form of data? How might individuals understand this message differently? In addition, educators have the chance to support students in expressing their unique experiences and viewpoints, while also offering guidance and advice. 


Work cited 

P. (n.d.). WHAT Is Media Literacy and HOW Can Simple Shifts Center It. PBS Education. https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/what-is-media-literacy-and-how-can-simple-shifts-center-it

Who is NAMLE? - U.S. Media Literacy Week. (2021, July 27). U.S. Media Literacy Week -. https://mlw.namle.org/about/who-is-namle/

Digital and Media Literacy Education | Media Education Lab. (n.d.). https://mediaeducationlab.com/digital-and-media-literacy-education

Team, L. (2023, February 14). Why is Media Literacy in Education Important? Learning. https://www.learning.com/blog/why-is-media-literacy-in-education-important/


















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