What is media literacy?

Media literacy refers to a channel for conveying messages (such as audio, Web sites and animation), the crafting of a message for a specific channel, and the effect the media message has on audiences (Trilling & Fadel, 2009, p.66). Selecting the appropriate channel for a certain topic and designing it in a way that reflects the message being conveyed requires a high level of media literacy. By building on media literacy skills, one can effectively produce “a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a variety of forms, build an understanding of the role of media in society, as well as [develop] the essential skills of inquiry and self-expression” (Trilling & Fadel, 2009, p.66).

Why is it important?

There is an overwhelming number of sources of information in the world today and having media literacy is a necessary skill to have so people can detect reliable sources of information. Media literacy allows people to properly understand the messages that are being communicated and therefore creates more honest learning. This is particularly important for young students who are being raised in an environment of information overload. Having the appropriate skills and guidance to navigate the internet and discern reliable sources of information is important to establish integrity in their work. This skill of media literacy can foster necessary critical thinking skills which is not only necessary for future jobs but is also a valuable skill to have for day-to-day activities such as reading news articles.

Why is it dismissed?

Media literacy is often dismissed for a variety of reasons. Access to a plethora of information makes it difficult to discern what is true and creates extra work on our part to decipher why we choose certain sources. As Julie Smith notes in the interview, “fact-finding in a fire hose of information is up to us” (Miller, 2021). An additional reason as to why media literacy is often dismissed, is due to personal bias. Individuals tend to search for information that already aligns with their opinion on a certain matter and feel less obligated to critically evaluate such information sources than they would with sources that oppose their viewpoints. Finally, media literacy can often be dismissed because of the tendency for people to be overconfident in their ability to distinguish truthful versus bias sources. Having proper education on media literacy from a young age is necessary to avoid media falsity and to develop important critical thinking skills.

Why should you aim for varied views but the factual consensus in your PLN?

Having a factual consensus in a PLN is necessary to establish an even playing field among viewers and open the ground for honest and constructive communication. The goal of a PLN is not to argue what is true but is rather to have meaningful conversation about what we already know is true. Lacking established truths in a PLN would create confusion and would deter from the primary objective of these platforms. One truth can be perceived from a variety of positions and still equally remain true. Varied views should therefore be supported, as this creates a diverse and inclusive PLN that can explore important topics from a variety of perspectives.

References:

Miller, Jesse. (2021). EDCI 338-MEDIA LITERACY with JULIE SMITH. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57r3-aEnci0&ab_channel=MILLER

Trilling, B & Fadel, C. (2012). Digital Literacy Skills. Media Literacy Chapter 4, pp. 66. https://learning-oreilly-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/library/view/21st-century-skills/9780470475386/fade_9780470475386_oeb_c04_r1.html#h2