UEN Teacher Tips

 

What Is Media Literacy?
Equipping Learners to Think Critically in the Digital Age
by Dani Sloan

We are constantly surrounded by media. From the news we seek out on our phones and televisions to the social media feeds we scroll through, media shapes our understanding of the world. Media literacy is more critical than ever.

Media literacy is "the ability to locate, access, evaluate, analyze, use, create, and share information obtained through a medium such as print material, digital platforms, audio-visual media, etc., often accessed using a technology device, with at least one degree of separation from the creator of the information,"  according to Gretchen Zaitzeff and the Utah Information, News, and Media Literacy Collaborative.

To be media literate means "to be competent at locating, accessing, evaluating, analyzing, using, creating, and sharing mediated information."

In a world overflowing with information, media literacy equips students with the essential skills to:

  • Become critical thinkers: Analyze information, identify biases and evaluate sources.

  • Navigate the digital world safely and responsibly: Understand online privacy, cyberbullying, and the spread of mis-, dis-, and malinformation.

  • Develop strong communication skills: Create and share information effectively and ethically.

  • Become informed and engaged citizens: Understand the impact of media on society and make informed decisions.

Bringing Media Literacy Into the Classroom

  • Analyze advertisements: Deconstruct the techniques used in advertisements to persuade viewers (e.g., celebrity endorsements, emotional appeals, humor).

  • Examine news stories: Compare and contrast different news outlets’ coverage of the same event, discuss potential biases and identify credible sources.

  • Create media projects: Have students produce short films, podcasts or social media campaigns to raise awareness about a social issue.

  • Debate and discuss: Engage students in discussions about ethical media consumption, the impact of social media and the importance of responsible online behavior.

By incorporating media literacy into their curriculum, educators can empower students to become critical thinkers, responsible digital citizens and active participants in a media-rich world.

 

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Dr. Dani Sloan helps educators lead, research and teach digital citizenship. She's a UEN Product Manager, former Elementary Teacher and current mom to a fifth grader. Dani is passionate about preparing students for a digital world, her dachshunds and terrible reality TV.

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