I wanted to find a good definition for "media literacy" and, in my search, I found a very compelling reason to teach it. The Center on Media and Child Health states,"As a teacher, encouraging and practicing media literacy in your classroom is one of the most important things you can do to keep children safe and healthy in the Information Age. Since your students are surrounded by media every day, learning how to question the media messages they see and hear is crucial."
The Comparative Media Studies (CMS)Program at MIT has developed the New Media Literacies Project. The CMS site states, "Our courses are designed to teach students to both make and reflect upon media and in the process, to acquire important skills in team work, leadership, problem solving, collaboration, brainstorming, communications, and project completion, which will prepare them for a broad range of academic and professional careers." In another part of the site, the CMS notes the "social and cultural expertise" that is taught in its department.
I think the New Media Literacies Project is part of that effort. They have identified important skills that are needed to be successful in media. Indeed, we all need to be socially and culturally considerate toward others, in technology and in person.
Where do you stand in the acquisition and mastery of these skills?
ReplyDeleteI think I am learning and acquiring more of these skills as I work through this class. Overcoming time restrictions and learning to quickly brainstorm and collaborate will be helpful when I am working with colleagues in few years.
ReplyDelete