Based on this week’s material, I will be discussing ‘Why Media Literacy Matters in your PLN’.

In order to understand this, we need to define the term Media Literacy. Media is the means of mass communication regarded collectively. For example, there are a number of different media channels available to us – there are mass broadcastings, publishing, and most prominent in our modern-day lives, the internet. Literacy describes the ability to read and write. These writings give the readers a sense of meaning and their own objective interpretations. Now, putting these terms together, Media Literacy is the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they’re sending. 

Media literacy is today’s form of gathering information – it’s the most efficient and effective way in mass spreadings of information. Julie Smith noted, modern-day politics requires the mastery of image. As I reflect on myself, this is especially important as our generations typically ‘doesn’t care’ as much about what a person says but rather their public image. We have smaller attention spans therefore a quick image is superior to a long written message. Further, media literacy is especially important as we form our personal learning networks. There are a large number of resources available and when curating a PLN, it can be beneficial to engage with those with different views. We curate our feeds with people of similar views – blocking those with who we ‘disagree’ with. This brings us to another question: ‘Why should you aim for varied views but the factual consensus in your PLN?’. It is good to have a number of perspectives not from your asylum – objective voices can provide you with different perspectives and rational guidance. To add to this, within a PLN, it adds another level to the relationship. Collaborating on materials is extremely beneficial to ensure you understand perspectives other than your own. In terms of teaching, this is a great tool in collaborating with others with similar interests – Julie mentioned she always reverts to Twitter when wanting new ideas as the pool is endless. Collaborating and gathering feedback is a beneficial method in personal growth. This is why having a PLN that values media literacy is crucial as the collaboration of media can be fully diagnosed. 

Why is media literacy dismissed? Media literacy is dismissed typically by parents. With the rise in social media, fear has been engraved in all of us. However, with bad, there is always some good. Although we can be fearful of what the younger generations are obtaining through this form of media, we need to appreciate how much insight we are able to gain. With conspiracy theories everywhere, we are in constant doubt of the truth. That has caused some to dismiss media literacy. 

 

EDCI_338. (2020, November 1). A01 – Smith, J. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_T9RghwJlI&feature=youtu.be