Lesson 2: difference between media and print literacy
Link back to the mini-course homepage: Krystal Haight Media Literacy Mini-Course
Link back to Unit 1 overview: Unit_1:_Understanding_the_importance_of_media_literacy
Objective: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to compare media and print literacy.
Activity 1:
To re-cap the ideas that we explored in Lesson 1, please watch the following video clip:
What is Media Literacy? Video clip
Activity 2:
So, at this point, we are familiar with the definition of media literacy, and have an understanding about why it is important to build media literacy skills. However, we are now going to compare media and print literacy.
According to NAMLE (National Association of Media Literacy Educaiton), media literacy is the ability to ACCESS, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, CREATE, and ACT using all forms of communication. Media literacy builds upon the foundation of traditional literacy, and offers new forms of reading and writing. This type of literacy empowers people to be critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators and active citizens.
If you are interested...check out NAMELE's website, NAMLE.net
It's a great resource to further explore the benefits of media literacy. Feel free to explore their website for even more information about the benefits of teaching students media literacy skills. There is even a resource tab where you can see how media literacy fits in with the Common Core Standards. We will be taking a closer look at incorporating media literacy into the curriculum during the next lesson.
Your task: Please read and interpret the message of the following print article: healthyeating.org
Now, read and interpret the message of the following advertisement (click on it to enlarge):
Reflect: Create a Google Doc in this mini-course's folder: Media Literacy Mini-Course 2016.
Please use the following format for your title: Your First Name.Your Last Name.Lesson 2 (ex: Krystal.Haight.Lesson 2)
In a reflective discussion, discuss some skills that you needed to read and interpret the article. Did you use these same skills to read and interpret the advertisement? Overall, how was the experience/process of analyzing the article similar and/or different from analyzing the advertisement?
Some ideas to consider...
Did you look for credibility? Accuracy? Relevance/intended audience? Potential bias?
Please comment on at least two of your peers' documents.
Activity 3:
Some final thoughts...
To wrap-up this lesson, take a look at this interesting article that compares print and media literacy: Rethinking Literacy in the Digital Age
As you read, think about how this article reflects your experience analyzing the message of the article and visual text (advertisement).
Activity 4:
Now that we know how important it is for students to be able to decode - or make meaning from - media documents, review this excellent resource to prepare for further lessons. It gives WONDERFUL tips regarding how to effectively help students think critically about media documents.
This is going to help prepare you to design a media literacy lesson. It is important that you make purposeful decisions about the media you incorporate in your lessons. We will discuss this in our next lesson!
Congratulations! You are ready to move on to...Lesson 3: what is the curriculum-driven approach to media literacy?
References:
Health benefits of milk. Dairy Council of California. Healthyeating.org. 2016. http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/All-Star-Foods/Beverages/Article-Viewer/Article/64/Health-Benefits-of-Milk.aspx
Media literacy defined. NAMLE. https://namle.net/publications/media-literacy-definitions/
Print vs. social media: Rethinking literacy in the digital age. Discoveryeducation.com. 2016. http://web2014.discoveryeducation.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/6/8/Print-vs-Social-Media-Rethinking-literacy-in-the-digital-age
Wagner, S. (2014, May 16). What is Media Literacy? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://vimeo.com/95563998