WHAT IS MEDIA LITERACY?MODULE 1: The Basics

Lesson Module Outcomes:

•In this lesson students will:▫Learn the definition of media literacy and

how it has changed over the years.▫Look at a brief history of media and pivotal

developments in more recent years.▫Understand the generation gap in regards

to media literacy and its affects.

Introductory Discussion

•Think about the following question on your own for a few minutes and write down a definition. Then discuss among the class.

•How do you define media literacy?

Media Literacy Defined•According to the Center for Media Literacy:

▫ In 1992: Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety of forms.”

▫ Today: “Media literacy is a 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms – from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of democracy.”

STOP!•Go back and read the definitions again.

What are the main differences you see between how media literacy was defined in 1992 and today?

Comparing the Definitions▫ In 1992: It is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate

and create media in a variety of forms.

▫Today: It is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with media in a variety of forms.

▫Key difference is the idea of PARTCIPATION.

▫Why do you think participation has been added to the definition? What are some examples of media (think recent developments) that include participation?

Almost every piece of this timeline includes PARTICIPATION

• Now, watch "An Ever Changing World”▫This video clip was uploaded in 2009.▫ It is a short animation looking at recent

technological and social changes in recent years and their effects.

• After looking at the previous graphic and this clip, think about the major media developments mentioned in each and how they include the idea of participation.

• Both resources are from 2009. Have you seen other changes in the media since? Do they involve participation also? Discuss.

Participation Continued•Think about the way media literacy has

evolved to include the idea of participation and how it could affect different generations.

•The idea of a generation gap in technology is nothing new, but today technology is developing faster than ever.

• Is there a lack of understanding between parents and/or teachers and their students?

Participation Continued• Recent media developments including

participation▫ Google, Wikipedia, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter,

Myspace, LinkedIn, Flickr, Blogger…. The list continues.

• Think about these specifically in regards to a generation gap. How many of your parents use any of these recent media developments? What about your grandparents?

Case Study• The Society for Information Technology &

Teacher Education held a study with 86 participants asking what kinds of technology they use and how often.

• Researchers expected to see a strong divide in the use of technologies by different generations, but the divide was more about the reason for using these technologies.

Differences in using technologies for a “need to know” reason versus exploration for the sake of entertainment.

Audio Clip from MPRNews

•New study from Kaiser Family Foundation says that teenagers/children spend up to 8 hours a day consuming media, which is 2 hours above the average just two years ago.

•Implications? Communication and technology is widening the generation gap between today’s teenagers/children and their parents.

Class Activity• Looking more at the idea of a generation gap in

media literacy, think about the ways in which you get your information today in comparison to your parents, grandparents, teachers, etc.

• Chances are that you largely rely on Google or a similar search engine such as Bing, Yahoo, Ask, etc. when you have research to do or a simple question to ask.

Continued

•There are 31 billion searches on Google a month.▫How did we get answers before Google?

Who did the previous generations direct their questions to?

•Use the Internet, but avoid Google and the other search engines to find the answer to the following question:▫When did Google begin and by whom?

Continued• Having trouble?

• Discuss the difficulties you came across with finding these answers as a class.

• Have we become too Google-dependent?

Assignment 1:

•Participate in the poll on the main page. After submitting your answer, consider the other options and write a summary ranking the way you use these media sources and what for (news, information, entertainment, etc.)

•In your summary, discuss how your poll answer would differ from your parents, grandparents, teachers, etc. and why you think so.