Module 1 Readings- Wrap Up and Final Thoughts
What is media literacy? It is a question that seems to warrant a simple answer however, the concept as I am quickly discovering in this course, goes far beyond basic interpretation skills. For one to be considered truly media literate, they must have the ability to examine and decipher messages that seek to entertain and inform us on a day to day basis. According to Elizabeth Thoman, there are 3 stages of media literacy. They include: awareness of one’s “media diet”, learning critical viewing skills, and asking, who produces the media we experience? I believe that last point is essential and something I do not exercise often enough. If one frequently asks questions about the various media mediums and the messages, I feel it will open the conversation up to others to do the same.
Media literacy is an asset one can acquire and goes hand in hand with media education. Media education is the “ongoing process of learning” which can “develop and evolve” (Andersen, Neil). Media education is fostered through “media study”; which occurs when teachers and educational institutions “organize specific courses..to study the media” (Worsnop, Chris).
I found the opening chapters of our textbook Connecting Social Problems and Popular Culture: Why Media is not the Answer to be a compelling introduction to our media culture and it’s relationship with society’s members. Sternheimer believes that the media culture is not our society’s central issue. While people like to vilify media influence, the social issues currently plaguing us go far deeper than media intake. Racism, sexism, homophobia and poverty are just a few of the major problems at hand that did not spawn from media integration. In fact, “the most pressing crisis American children face today” is not the media, but poverty (Sternheimer, 2).
Our media does not rest, there is no snooze button. While some can argue that with that comes an abundance of knowledge constantly at our fingertips, others believe that it’s leading to a society suffering from media overload. People, particularly parents, are increasingly concerned that constant, uncontrolled information at one’s disposal will lead to problems within the lives of children.
The media has a long history of igniting fear in our society. Comics featuring depictions of violence sparked fear during the McCarthy era. During Elvis’ rise to stardom, concerns arose when he brought “traditionally African American music to white middle America” (Sternheimer, 6). Sternheimer does agree that the media culture is not without its faults. However, she encourages us to explore the root of social problems and realize it does not stop with media.
In the articles, “Why Media Literacy Is So Important for Children Today” and “That It Was Made By People Our Age Is Better”, an appreciation for the effects of media on today’s adolescence is explored. Studies show that “children with media literacy skills will be better prepared for a successful future” (Ladner, J.) Zaslow and Butler suggest that media offers adolescence a sense of control in an otherwise frenzied world. And “many adolescent [children] turn to media” to construct their “own identity” (Zaslow, Butler).
After better acquainting myself with the principles of media literacy, I have an even stronger belief that there can be no price placed on the value of media literacy; it plays a key role in the social awareness of the generation and generations to follow. And while there are fears of overexposure to children, albeit sometimes justified, I agree with Karen Sternheimer who says “if childhood has changed, it is because the world has changed”. Media awareness is a fundamental skill every young person must possess to flourish is this ever advancing world.
