Reflection on Module 1 reading
When talking about media literacy one must first know the definition, “the expected outcome from work in either media education or media study. The more you learn about or through the media, the more media literacy you have. Media literacy is the skill of experiencing, interpreting/analyzing and making media products (Wally Bowen, 1996). Being media literate in 2016 is important for many reasons one being job placement. Almost every job now requires some sort of media literacy. After living in Las Vegas for eight years I am used to this being a job requirement. Using social media to send out party invite blasts, guest list invites, opening night reminders to the public and many other social media posts it is almost a prerequisite I am expecting when starting a job. Since most jobs are now expecting candidates to be media literate shouldn’t media study be taught in grade school? Yes under supervision and guidance but still taught at a younger age where people can absorb the information in their youth making the skill almost like breathing, effortless. There is a lot of controversy about appropriateness when it comes to youth and what they view through media, popular culture. “American children face, problems like lack of a quality education, violence victimization, early pregnancies, single parenthood, and obesity, poverty plays a starring role; popular culture is a bit player at best” (Karen Sternheimer, 2013). I agree that there are bigger problems in the United States then popular culture. The list Karen Sternheimer gave in this one particular quote is enough to write an entire paper on in itself. The lack of concern and funding for education there is in the United States is sad to say the least. Then when you look outwards it becomes an even bigger sadness. The way we could get the issue know is through media awareness, however possible. Instead TV channels and other media outlets are more concerned with making money on advertisements, politics and numerous other things.
Infants using different types of media for “babysitting” purposes is damaging. Using electronics such a leap frogs, nintendo, TV, etc becomes addicting for children. Another report by the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that “children spend more time with various media (an average of 7 hours per day) than they do in any other daily activity other than sleeping”. Children’s creativity become stunted when they spend all day on electronics. Have you ever noticed how hours an pass you by when you playing with an electronic device? You go into a trance like state, vegetating. When children play with puzzles, build forts, interact with each other they are building vital skills they will use in adult hood.
