Media literacy is great for open dialogue when there is interest in a common topic, it allows for people to connect with others about a similar subject, learn more about it and see build a Personal learning network. However, it can create conflict when it comes to factual information and people’s perspectives. In her interview, Julie Smith says that when we are online “we are more interested in what we believe than what is true” (Smith, 2021). This is true because our PLN it attained to us to what we search and what we interact with online, it can show in ads or from similar people we have connected with. This can create conflict because everyone has a bias and sees things differently. With an open dialogue people can speak freely about their opinion and then back it up with news articles or things they have read online that was attained to their beliefs. Even if it is from a news station, we now know that news is a business and not a public service (Smith, 2021), so even if it is thought to be a news site for a credible source, it generates news that would please their audience. This makes things tricky when learning about media literacy and wanting to be objective as a teacher. However, I believe teaching how to analyze can shows students there are many perspectives and to be critical about what they read online.
As an educator it is important to be aware of media literacy and public discourse. Technology is all around us and difficult to ignore so it is important to teach students how to properly use it when accessing information. With today’s digital tool, students have more opportunity to amplify their ability to learn, communicate, collaborate, and create their skills (Trillings, B & Fadel, C. 2009). technology is wonderful because it can provide more information for students and teachers and make lessons more inquiry based where students have ownership of what they want to learn, and the teacher go use technology to access more information for the students. However, we need to teach students how to analyze media by understanding bias’s, the reason why it is constructed and apply their use of technology effectively. There can be fake and very biased news out there, so it is important that students are reflective and critical about where they get the information.
But does this lead to an even greater question? Where the debate with fake news is who gets to define the truth? (Hirst, 2018). There is information everywhere, so it is important to do your research carefully and understand both sides of whatever you are researching.
References:
Hirst, M. (2018, November 2). Navigating Social journalism: A handbook for Media Literacy and Citizen Journalism. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.4324/9781315401263
Miller, J. [MILLER]. (2021, June 6). EDCI 338 – Medica Literacy with Julie Smith. [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57r3-aEnci0
Trillings, B. & Fadel, C. (2009) 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our times. Jossey-Bass.
nemeko98
June 15, 2021 — 8:43 pm
Hi Tori,
It was great reading your blog this week. It was really interesting to read your view o how to balance media literacy and public discourse. I thought it was particularly insightful when you discussed Julie Smith’s quote from the interview when she stated that, “we are more interested in what we believe than what is true”. This quote was so profound to me as all of us whether we realize it or not are probably somewhat biased, therefore we tend to believe information that supports our views, rather than being open to hearing both sides.
I also thought that it was great how you discussed that we should be teaching our students how to analyze information that they see online, as not only will this allow them to hear different perspectives- as you stated, but it will also allow them to be open-minded and perhaps change their biased views. Additionally, particularly in our world today, I think it is imperative that students are taught how to distinguish and analyze fake news and real news, as this allows them to not be misinformed and they will be able to formulate their thought based on factual and credible information.