 | What Media Literacy is NOT
The following is a list of ideas to help explore and understand how media literacy is different from other literacies and what are some of the basic elements of a more comprehensive media education. - Media 'bashing' is NOT media literacy, however media literacy sometimes involves criticizing the media.
- Merely producing media is NOT media literacy, although media literacy should include media production.
- Just teaching with videos or CDRoms or other mediated content is NOT media literacy; one must also teach about media.
- Simply looking for political agendas, stereotypes or misrepresentations is NOT media literacy; there should also be an exploration of the systems making those representations appear "normal."
- Looking at a media message or a mediated experience from just one perspective is NOT media literacy because media should be examined from multiple positions.
- Media Literacy does NOT mean "don't watch;" it means "watch carefully, think critically."
With thanks to Renee Hobbs, Chris Worsnop, Neil Andersen, Jeff Share and Scott Sullivan.
Footnotes
With thanks to Renee Hobbs, Chris Worsnop, Neil Andersen, Jeff Share and Scott Sullivan.
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