What is media literacy?

In recent years, the vigorous development of communication technology has brought about a series of changes in the media field, and the form of communication is constantly updated. Social media applications require mastery of relevant operations as a prerequisite, and an understanding of how to create eye-catching and effective communication products in the best way. Media literacy skills provide a framework for accessing, analyzing, evaluating, and creating messages in various forms.(Trilling & Fadel, 2012)Media literacy can also be understood as people’s ability to interpret and judge various media information, as well as the ability to effectively use media information in personal life and social development.

Why is it important?

Information release technology is smooth, information is highly developed, people enjoy unprecedented information convenience, and the public’s sense of dependence on the media has increased. The open and mature information dissemination environment and complex information dissemination platform mean that there is a large amount of superficial and kitsch information, which has become a stubborn disease in information dissemination. This not only seriously affects the transmission of effective information, but also makes the public at a loss in numerous information choices. Therefore, in the era of media communication, the factors that affect the public’s view of information in media literacy involve many aspects such as the media environment, and it is a complex system that requires comprehensive consideration. Media literacy means not only the literacy of interpreting and receiving information, but also the literacy of disseminating and producing information.

 Why is it dismissed?

On the Internet, our manipulation methods are very hidden and original, and certain information will unintentionally affect our thoughts and behaviors. As Smith said in the interview video, people are more inclined to believe what they want to believe. There is so much information online that people cannot evaluate it. Also because people lack the awareness of cultivating media literacy, Smith once had an experience of giving a speech where parents sought advice and hoped that their children could stop doing something meaningless on social media. But in fact, they should cultivate their children’s media literacy, because in the current social environment, it is very unrealistic to deliberately avoid social media.

Why should you aim for varied views but the factual consensus in your PLN?

The environment around us is full of various media, and people visit, evaluate, create and share in various forms of media. Being a citizen means that everyone can participate in public life through activities such as voting.In the interview, Smith gave an interesting example. The media is not like mathematics. Two plus two always equals two. The information in the media is ever-changing, so screening has become the most important part of media review, even if it is based on a democratic perspective.

Open dialogues about media literacy and factual information can create conflict, why does this happen?

Everyone knows differently, so they have different opinions on things in the Internet. With the rapid development of the information society, the types of information threats have gradually diversified. In addition to some traditional dangers (theft of user information), there are also some media forged information that can inflame public sentiments. For example, the new crown pneumonia epidemic has swept the world, and people’s audience for information has surpassed the past. All kinds of “headline parties” and fake news flood the Internet to confuse the audience and cause panic.

What is the benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy? 

Media literacy education is to develop people’s ability to analyze, evaluate and create information, guide users to learn how to question and analyze in the complex information, distinguish facts and opinions, collect pitfalls, loopholes and logical errors in evidence change information, and establish diversity The awareness of understanding information.

Reference：

Miller, Jesse. “EDCI 338 A01- Smith, Julie.” YouTube, 1 Nov. 2020, youtu.be/Z_T9RghwJlI.

Trilling, Bernie, and Charles Fadel. “Digital Literacy Skills.” 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times, John Wiley & Sons, 2009.