Media Literacy
Media literacy is being able to critically evaluate media, use media, and produce one's own communication through the use of visual and audio media. "Media Literacy is the ability to decode, analyze, evaluate, and produce communication in a variety of forms" (Definition of the Trent Think Tank on Media Literacy, Ontario, Canada, 1989). Explore various definitions at Digital Literacy.
Read the online version of the article How Will Changes in Media Influence Literacy in the Next Millennium? (Reading Research Quarterly, 2000) in Smart Library on Literacy and Technology. A group of scholars were asked to speculate on how advances in information and communication media will affect literacy in the 21st century. Which scholar provides the scenario of the future that most closely agrees with your prediction?
Media Literacy in Teaching and Learning
Many schools now incorporate media literacy into their curriculum. As a result, a growing number of learning materials are available.
Explore PBSKids Don't Buy It website.
Explore REEL ACTION. This website focuses on getting young people actively engaged in contributing to the media.
Learn More
Center for Media Literacy. One of the best resources on the web for information and resources association with media literacy.**
The Great Media Debate. A website that examines the impact of media on learning.
Just Think. This website focuses on "teaching young people to lead healthy responsible, independent lives in a culture highly impacted by media."
Hobbs, Renee (April 2001). Classroom strategies for exploring realism and authenticity in media message. Reading Online, 4(9).
Kellner, Douglas (1997). Scholar Suggests a Solution to the Danger of the Politics of Representation(Course Materials) in Smart Library on Literacy and Technology. Explore issues in media literacy.
Kozma, Robert B. (1994). The Influence of Media on Learning: The Debate Continues. SLMQ, 22(4). Great article on the topic of media's impact on learning.
Media Literacy Clearinghouse. This website links to resources related to media literacy and specifically critical thinking about media messages.
Media Literacy Review. This website is no longer active, but contains lots of links to resources and articles. Be sure to check out the Media Literacy-Overview that contains lots of articles. The new website is REEL ACTION.
Multimedia Seeds: Media Literacy and Multimedia Seeds: Media, Children, and Society. Resources used in a college course in audio and video collections.
Utah Media Literacy. Teaching and literacy materials related to media literacy.
Media Literacy Organizations
Action Coalition for Media Education (ACME). Focuses on teaching media education: knowledge, skills and activism.
Alliance for Media Literate America. Organization focusing on media literacy.
Media Awareness Network. This website provides "resources and support for everyone interested in media and information literacy for young people."
New Mexico Media Literacy Project. Organization focusing on media literacy.