Reflection on Module 1 Readings

Before starting this class, I thought I knew what media literacy was. In this module, I have learned that media literacy and media education is much more complex than just understanding the media. According to Jane Tallim, to be media literate means to be able to analyze and question media. So, I leaned that not only do we need to understand the message, but we need to look deeper to find hidden messages. We need to find out what the purpose is, who the audience is and what the motive is (Thoman, 1995). In the article, The Core Concepts: Fundamentals of Media Literacy Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, by Tessa Jolls and Carolyn Wilson, We can see the CML’s Questions and tips. Some of the questions they suggest are “who created the message”, “why is this message being sent”, and “what creative techniques are being used to attract my attention” (Jolls and Wilson, 2014). These questions were helped formed by Masterman’s 18 principles of media education. In my opinion asking those types of questions will really help people start to understand the purpose of media.

Teaching media literacy is important in our society today. Children, and adults, spend so much time in front of screens, playing video games, watching t.v, and on the internet and there is also things like billboards and magazines. According to the article, Why Media Literacy is So Important for Children Today, 52% of 5-8 year olds have used some type of media (Ladner, 2012). The University of Michigan Health System article, Television and Children, states that in 51% of homes, the t.v, is on most of the day (2015). I have little people in my life and I find it so sad how often they are on their phones or in front of televisions. They are so impressionable so if they aren’t able to decipher meanings of the advertisements thrown at them, they are not going to have a very clear vision of reality.  It is important that children are able to analyze meaning behind the messages they are being sent on a daily basis.

I also found the three models of media literacy interesting. The three models are very different from each other. The Protectionist model seems to be a model that is used a lot in our culture today. In the Protectionist model, it is believed that children need to be protected from media (Zaslow and Butler, 2002). According to the article, That It Was Made by People Our Age Is Better, the Protectionist theory believes that children need to be able to choose between good and bad media (Zaslow and Butler, 2002). I personally agree with the Constructivist model. This model helps children develop the skills they need to analyze media and to not be passive receivers of media (Zaslow and Butler, 2002). I do not think children need to be protected from everything. Children can learn to figure out underlying messages of media and they should be able to enjoy it. Media isn’t scary.