Week 10: Let's Get Media Literate!

        Anyone born in the early 2000s or earlier is very familiar with the ways that media and technology have developed in a relatively short period. From the innovation of cell phones to the advent of social media to the growth of AI, individuals are constantly bombarded by the shifting media landscape. As such, it is even more crucial for students to be able to navigate ever-changing media safely and effectively when it comes to their education. Here is a short list of ways that media and multimodal literacy spark potential in the new learning environment:

Diverse Learning Styles

One of the most exciting innovations from the use of media in the classroom, in my humble opinion, is the potential that media presents in the world of teaching when it comes to different learning styles. Although the classroom environment is not always conducive to teaching students with varying learning styles, media helps to bridge that gap as there are a lot more resources to support students so they are able to learn the information in the format they need to comprehend what they are learning. From YouTube videos to physical books to audiobooks, students have more control over the way that they learn information for the benefit of their education. As such, this focus on diverse learning styles is crucial for both students and educators.

Wide Access to Information

Never before in the history of humanity has mankind been given access to such a wide range of information than in the present era. Rather than receiving news from a neighbor or the limited number of stories that a newspaper may publish, individuals can receive their information from an immeasurable number of sources from around the world. As such, students can glean information about any given topic at any given time. However, this wide access to information also bears the cost of needing to distinguish what is fact from what is misinformation or disinformation. This potential for media use in the classroom allows for a more equal distribution of information, while also promoting the use of critical thinking skills in navigating the validity and credibility of the information one receives.

Fostering Critical Thinking

Speaking of critical thinking skills, beyond having to think critically to gauge what information is accurate, these skills are also promoted by encouraging students to find solutions to the problems that they face inside and outside the classroom. Information about different skills has never been so widely available to the public as in the present. Different media sources give students infinite chances to be able to learn skills that pertain to their passions as well as their future goals and learn to problem-solve in the process. However, fostering these skills needs to be a concerted effort in the wake of addictive media that seeks to diminish these skills, creating an even greater need for media literacy.