So, what exactly is media literacy? Media literacy is the ability to understand and identify the different forms of media. As stated by Trilling & Fadel (2012), media literacy allows an individual to comprehend the message and information portrayed in a media, as well as use various media forms to interact with other people; usage of a media form can be done by developing a product using any media platform. The importance of media literacy is that our daily lives are connected with media whether it is a website we surf online for news or a streaming platform we casually watch movies on. Every time we connect with any media, it can impact our understanding as well as perception, and thus, understanding what you are consuming is crucial (Trilling & Fadel, 2012). Furthermore, media literacy is often dismissed and there are various reasons for this but I believe that most people are not aware of the impact of material they are consuming through various media, the accuracy of the material, and a strong preconceived notion that everything on the media is most likely exaggerated or false.
Using my parents as an example, they grew up in a different era where scientific papers and research, for example, were not prominently available on the web. Furthermore, they barely used the internet when it came out. Due to this, when they read something on the web, they immediately ignore it because they believe that what is shared on the internet and other media is nothing but a pure exaggeration. However, because of the era, they grew up in, they are not media literate in regards that they are not aware of how one can assess the accuracy as well as the authenticity of the material shared on various media platforms, and assessing the accuracy of information shared on media is an important part of media literacy (Trilling & Fadel, 2012). Thus, since people do not know how to ask the right questions in regards to determining the authenticity of the information, they are quick to disregard the material without developing an appropriate justification for their actions.
Furthermore, there are many media platforms that one can use to gather knowledge and information about any topic. As we all have an either witness or learned at some point in our lives, numerous options can often lead to confusion and being overwhelmed. Thus, those who are not tech-savvy and highly literate in media tend to shy away from accessing media platforms because consuming a lot of foreign information and learning media literacy can be a difficult and overwhelming task, and oftentimes, choosing to refuse the idea of being media literate is often the one that brings the least amount of stress and anxiety. I strongly support this because the idea of refusing to become media literate is very prominent with my parents because they find learning about various media to be challenging at their age and very stressful.
In the interview with Miller, Smith (2020) mentions that we, as people, tend to gravitate towards using media sources that are most in line with our views and beliefs however, by doing so, we are limiting ourselves to obtain knowledge and perspective from a very small niche. Hence, to ensure one understands a material accurately and effectively, various perspectives and voices should be welcomed within your PLN. As a STEM student, I have been rigorously taught that obtaining various sources and opinions on a single topic is the most effective way to further understanding that specific topic and the same goes for material and we discuss in our PLN.
Furthermore, Smith (2020) explains how people tend to ignore information, whether it’s articles, news, or even opinions, that one does not wish to hear. This action makes sense because everyone has the right to align themselves and hear/view the material that supports their beliefs however, avoiding something that you do not wish to interact with or hear about hinders one’s personal growth whether it is intellectual or mental. Furthermore, avoiding a topic or two can create a snowball effect resulting in a person completely avoid using a specific media platform. This further contributes to media illiteracy.
In my opinion, PLN’s main goal is to cultivate a mutual learning environment and further one’s understanding of certain or various topics as well as introduce the members to various perspectives regarding a topic or matter as a way to further expand one’s understanding. Media literacy has the capabilities to provide user information and knowledge of his/her intellectual and personal growth, similar to a PLN. However, when combining media literacy and the aforementioned attributes that a PLN brings to the table, the result is a cooperative learning hub that fosters critical thinking.
References
EDCI 338 (2020, Nov 1). Smith, Julie . Retrieved from YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_T9RghwJlI&feature=youtu.be
Trilling, B., & Fadel, C. (2012). Digital Literacy Skills. In 21st century skills: Learning for life in our times. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
rianneyuen
Hey Nav, great post! I like how you compared back to when your parents grew up and how different media and technology has become. Thanks for sharing!