What is Media Literacy

WHAT IS MEDIA LITERACY AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

According to the Center for Media Literacy, “Media Literacy is a 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and participate with messages in a variety of forms - from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy.” 

Why is understanding teaching media literacy important for you, as an educator? As we support our students to become critical thinkers, effective communicators, and active participants in society, it is important for them to learn how to effectively navigate the increasingly complex world around them. Media is an ingrained part of our culture, as is evidenced by the 2018 Nielsen Total Audience Report's findings that American adults spend over eleven hours per day interacting with media. Our students need to be media literate to understand how media techniques influence their perception and thinking. We want our students to be informed consumers and producers of media. To do so, we must support them as they grow into wise digital citizens. 

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