Media is everywhere. It's an obvious statement. And media is not just a passive entity; it has an agenda. It wants your attention, and it's going to spend big money to get it. It is impossible not to consume this media; there's no off switch.
Because of this, teachers should not to discourage media consumption. We should encourage students to think critically about the media all around them. Which means that we must do the same, and of course, more.
To me, teaching media literacy to primary and secondary students is essential for raising responsible citizens and thoughtful consumers. Yet, its teaching is often left to college classrooms. I, myself, didn't formally encounter popular media literacy education until university. My introduction was taught in a survey course on gender studies. For one assignment, we watched Jean Kilbourne's lectures series "Killing Us Softly". See the video below for a preview of those talks.
Because of this, teachers should not to discourage media consumption. We should encourage students to think critically about the media all around them. Which means that we must do the same, and of course, more.
To me, teaching media literacy to primary and secondary students is essential for raising responsible citizens and thoughtful consumers. Yet, its teaching is often left to college classrooms. I, myself, didn't formally encounter popular media literacy education until university. My introduction was taught in a survey course on gender studies. For one assignment, we watched Jean Kilbourne's lectures series "Killing Us Softly". See the video below for a preview of those talks.
In the videos, Kilbourne deconstructs advertisements to show what those images are really selling. Our professor then gave us a stack of magazines and told us to go through page by page and deconstruct the advertisements ourselves. It was astounding how ads that once sold us perfume now seemed to peddle only sexist double standards and emotional manipulation. At the time I wondered, why isn't this taught in high school? I wonder that still. It could really be a valuable assignments for many levels of students.
As students, we spend so much time in school learning to carefully analyze literature for the devices used by the writers. The same for research papers, we are told to think critically about our sources. Yet, these skills are rarely extended to cover popular media that is plastered all over our world. Media literacy is a skill that can and should be integrated into public education.
Perhaps, had I been instructed in media awareness at a younger age, my parents could have been spared buying that My Size Barbie with its irresistible commercials which convinced me that I would soon have Barbie's wardrobe.
As students, we spend so much time in school learning to carefully analyze literature for the devices used by the writers. The same for research papers, we are told to think critically about our sources. Yet, these skills are rarely extended to cover popular media that is plastered all over our world. Media literacy is a skill that can and should be integrated into public education.
Perhaps, had I been instructed in media awareness at a younger age, my parents could have been spared buying that My Size Barbie with its irresistible commercials which convinced me that I would soon have Barbie's wardrobe.
Oh, My Size Barbie, you were never my size and I never did get to wear that plastic wedding dress, but this commercial sure did convince me to bug the heck out of my parents. Sorry Mom and Dad! Also, I definitely had every one of the problematic Dolls of the World Collection Barbies.
Luckily, for parents of the future, the classroom is changing and media literacy is the bridge between the classroom and popular culture. Of course, teaching media literacy doesn't just enable students to be more aware consumers, it helps them become better students as well.
Unfortunately, media literacy in primary and secondary classrooms is often taught under the initiative of a single teacher, and is rarely the result of community implementation, according the Center for Media Literacy. Until this changes, I hope to be one of the teachers who can properly implement media literacy education in the classroom. I believe that media literacy should be integrated into the subjects currently taught. This does put a responsibility on teachers (on me!) to seek education on media literacy for ourselves so that we are not guilty of "media literacy malpractice" (Hobbs 25).
It's important to note that I believe in media literacy for students not just to enable them to become wiser consumers for a somehow anti-capitalist agenda. No. I believe that students of media literacy are better students. The subject matter of media literacy engages with popular culture, a unique opportunity not often afforded in the classroom. It's the cultural bridge I mentioned earlier. When presented with these materials, it stands to reason that students will be more engaged in work that better represents their interests and experiences in life. These lessons, taught effectively, can produce the same educational benefits of a more traditional assignment. Students practice thinking and analytical thinking skills while participating in material that is relevant to them. Teachers always want students interested and eager to participate in something so worthwhile!
Question for further reflection: What can I do to improve my media literacy so that I can be better prepared to teach media literacy to my future students? What sources can I seek out? (I've already found a couple from preparing for this reflection!)
Sources:
Hobbs, Renee. "The Seven Great Debates in the Media Literacy Movement", Journal of Communication. Winter 1998.
Center for Media Literacy
Unfortunately, media literacy in primary and secondary classrooms is often taught under the initiative of a single teacher, and is rarely the result of community implementation, according the Center for Media Literacy. Until this changes, I hope to be one of the teachers who can properly implement media literacy education in the classroom. I believe that media literacy should be integrated into the subjects currently taught. This does put a responsibility on teachers (on me!) to seek education on media literacy for ourselves so that we are not guilty of "media literacy malpractice" (Hobbs 25).
It's important to note that I believe in media literacy for students not just to enable them to become wiser consumers for a somehow anti-capitalist agenda. No. I believe that students of media literacy are better students. The subject matter of media literacy engages with popular culture, a unique opportunity not often afforded in the classroom. It's the cultural bridge I mentioned earlier. When presented with these materials, it stands to reason that students will be more engaged in work that better represents their interests and experiences in life. These lessons, taught effectively, can produce the same educational benefits of a more traditional assignment. Students practice thinking and analytical thinking skills while participating in material that is relevant to them. Teachers always want students interested and eager to participate in something so worthwhile!
Question for further reflection: What can I do to improve my media literacy so that I can be better prepared to teach media literacy to my future students? What sources can I seek out? (I've already found a couple from preparing for this reflection!)
Sources:
Hobbs, Renee. "The Seven Great Debates in the Media Literacy Movement", Journal of Communication. Winter 1998.
Center for Media Literacy