What is Media Literacy The ability to access

What is Media Literacy? The ability to access, analyze, create, evaluate and act using all forms of communication. The purpose of media literacy education is to help individuals of all ages develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression that they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens in today’s world.

Media Literacy Read Write Consume Author …with all media texts available in the 21 st century It’s an expanded concept of literacy.

NAMLE Vision Our Vision To help individuals of all ages develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression that they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens in today’s world.

The Core Principles of Media Literacy Education 1. Media Literacy Education requires active inquiry and critical thinking about the messages we receive and create. 2. Media Literacy Education expands the concept of literacy (i. e. , reading and writing) to include all forms of media. 3. Media Literacy Education builds and reinforces skills for learners of all ages. Like print literacy, those skills necessitate integrated, interactive, and repeated practice. 4. Media Literacy Education develops informed, reflective and engaged participants essential for a democratic society. 5. Media Literacy Education recognizes that media are a part of culture and function as agents of socialization. 6. Media Literacy Education affirms that people use their individual skills, beliefs and experiences to construct their own meanings from media messages.

Media Literacy Themes Audiences and Authorship Purpose Economics Impact Response Representations & Reality Content Credibility Meaning & Messages Content Techniques Interpretations

IMPACT “Media literacy changes the way I look at everything, not just TV, computer, i. Pod; it changes the way my eyes work. It teaches me how to learn. ” (G. Shapiro, High School Student, Ithaca, NY)

The BIG question: What is the state of media literacy education in the United States?

Different Models of Media Literacy Education Extraordinary work being done all over the country to advance Media Literacy Education • • • In the K-12 Classroom by classroom teacher In the K-12 Classroom by technology/media specialist In the K-12 Classroom by outside organization Afterschool programs Camps In the higher education space – research and scholarship

Challenges of MLE in the U. S. • Relies on passionate teacher or school leader • People self select themselves to be media literacy educators • No one model • Minimal state standards (ie. Virginia) • No national standards • No specific educational mandate • New literacies movement

Progress Common Core Standards Legislation/Advocacy National Media Arts Standards Growth in scholarship and research Growing recognition that technology without professional development is costly • Increased overlap with global work in MLE • • •