Digital & Media Literacy

What is Media Literacy?

Media literacy education is to help individuals of all ages develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression that they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens in today’s world.

• All media messages are “constructed.”
• Each medium has different characteristics, strengths, and a unique “language” of construction.
• Media messages are produced for particular purposes.
• All media messages contain embedded values and points of view.
• People use their individual skills, beliefs and experiences to construct their own meanings from media messages.
• Media and media messages can influence beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, and the democratic process.

Media literacy is the ability to Access, Evaluate, Analyze, Create and Act using all forms of media.

ACCESS is defined as how, when, where, and how often people have access to the tools, technology, and digital skills necessary to thrive.

EVALUATING media content involves drawing one’s own meaning, judgment, and conclusions about media messages based on the information gathered during media access, thoughtful analysis, and self-reflective interpretation.

ANALYZING media content is the process of asking questions about a piece of media in order to identify authorship, credibility, purpose, technique, context, and economics.

CREATION is a form of expression. It encompasses learning how to express ideas through media and communication tools and using that power to create media narratives beyond those that exist in mainstream media.

ACTION is the culmination of accessing, analyzing, and evaluating media messages.

• We act by engaging civically as the result of thoughtful access, analysis, and evaluation of media messages we receive.
• We act as a way to do something that challenges the status quo (often in opposition to mainstream media).
• We act in response to breaking down thoughts, feelings, and ideas related to media.

Checkology

• Checkology is a free product, created by the News Literacy Project
• Gives you the habits of mind and tools to evaluate and interpret information

The Social Dilemma

• Docu-drama available on Netflix
• Tech experts sound the alarm on the dangerous human impact of social networking
• A bit fear-monger-y but still a good discussion of tech policy

Center for Humane Technology

• Free webinars on algorithms, platforms that prioritize dialogue over debate, how social media manipulates our brains
• Mission is to drive a comprehensive shift toward humane technology that supports well-being, democracy, and shared information environment

Great Courses Plus

• Good quality content on critical thinking and digital citizenship
• Affordable & accessible: Download or stream, Video or audio