Taylor Wing Module 1 Reflection

Module 1 Recap

One of the stages in Media education is about critical viewing and the skills required for it. “In a world of multi-tasking, commercialism, globalization and interactivity, media education isn’t about having the right answers- it’s about asking the right questions. The result is lifelong empowerment of the learner and citizen” (Tallim 1996). Asking the right questions can challenge the viewer. The difference between understanding the information and memorizing can be simply asking the right questions. Critical engagement, managing time, and asking the right questions are important factors of media education.

In the first chapter of Connecting Social Problems and Popular Culture, Sternheimer argues instead of blaming the media for causes of racism, sexism and other societal problems to look at the bigger picture where there are bigger problems with children lacking education and poverty.
Sternheimer begins the first chapter with media blame and popular culture. One of the readings, Literacy with Popular Culture Texts, talks about “deconstructing meaning while engaging with popular music texts”(Gainer 2007). This process allows one to dissect the media in whatever form it comes in and still allow the individual(s) in question to become involved with it, possibly even make a personal connection.

Throughout the first week of this class, I am able to understand the definition of media literacy, media education, and the study of media. It was helpful to read about the different stages in media education, popular culture texts and critical engagement.