Media Skills: Crash Course Media Literacy #11

Summary

This Crash Course Media Literacy episode delves into the essential skills needed to navigate the media landscape effectively. It emphasizes the importance of access to media, highlighting the digital divide and its impact on skill development. The script then guides viewers on how to analyze media, using five key questions to understand its purpose and perspective. It proceeds to evaluate media based on relevance, accuracy, bias, and reliability. The episode also encourages media creation as a means to deepen understanding and concludes by stressing the significance of acting upon the knowledge gained. The video sets the stage for future discussions on the evolution of media literacy in the face of emerging technologies.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The learner’s permit exam is a necessary step before driving a car, and similarly, theoretical knowledge is needed before engaging with media literacy.
• 🌐 Access to media is not universal; in the U.S., many people, including children, lack internet access at home, which hinders their digital skill development.
• 🌍 The internet is considered a basic human right by the United Nations, emphasizing the importance of access to information and expression.
• 🔍 Analyzing media involves understanding that all content is constructed with a purpose and point of view, and requires critical questions to be asked about the media's creation and intent.
• 🤔 Renee Hobbs suggests five questions to consider when analyzing media: who created the message, what techniques are used, what lifestyles/values are depicted, how might different people interpret it, and what is omitted.
• 📊 Media evaluation should focus on relevance, accuracy, bias, and reliability to determine the quality and credibility of the content.
• 📰 An example of media evaluation is provided with an article from The Washington Post, demonstrating how to apply the four criteria to assess a news story.
• 🎨 Creating media is an integral part of media literacy, allowing individuals to apply their analytical and evaluative skills in a practical way.
• 🏛 Acting on media literacy involves using the skills acquired to make informed decisions and take actions in various aspects of life, such as voting or lifestyle choices.
• 🔄 Media literacy is not about applying these principles to every piece of media consumed but rather developing a habit that becomes second nature over time.
• 🔮 Future episodes of Crash Course Media Literacy will explore how media literacy will evolve with technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.

Q & A

What is the significance of the learner's permit exam in the context of the video script?

The learner's permit exam is used as an analogy to introduce the concept of media literacy, emphasizing the importance of acquiring theoretical knowledge before engaging with media effectively.

Why is the National Association of Media Literacy Educators’ definition mentioned in the script?

The definition is mentioned to outline the five key skills of media literacy: access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act, which serve as a foundation for understanding and interacting with media.

What challenges do people face regarding internet access in the United States according to the script?

The script highlights that at least 5 million kids in the U.S. do not have internet access at home, and for many poor families, the only access points are places like local libraries or establishments offering free Wi-Fi, such as McDonald’s.

How does the lack of internet access at home impact a child's digital skill levels?

The script suggests that children who grow up without regular internet access tend to have lower digital skill levels compared to their peers who can easily access the internet, which can put them at a disadvantage in a high-tech world.

What did the United Nations declare about internet access in July 2016?

In July 2016, the United Nations declared internet access a basic human right, emphasizing the importance of freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media.

What are the five questions recommended by media literacy scholar Renee Hobbs to consider when making a media choice?

The five questions are: 1) Who created this message and what is the purpose? 2) What techniques does it use to attract and hold attention? 3) What lifestyles, values, and points of view does it depict? 4) How might different people interpret this message? 5) What is omitted, or left out?

What are the four key aspects to consider when evaluating the quality and credibility of media, according to media literacy scholar Julie Coiro?

The four key aspects are relevance, accuracy, bias, and reliability. These help in determining the trustworthiness and appropriateness of the media being consumed.

How does the script illustrate the application of the four-part evaluation for media credibility?

The script uses an article from The Washington Post about the FCC net neutrality process as an example to demonstrate how to apply the evaluation criteria of relevance, accuracy, bias, and reliability to assess media content.

What is the role of creating media in developing skills in analyzing and evaluating media?

The script suggests that creating media, such as posting on social networks or writing a blog, can help individuals develop skills in analyzing and evaluating media by understanding how media are produced and engaging in that production process.

What is the most important part of media literacy according to the script?

The most important part of media literacy, as mentioned in the script, is the ability to act on the skills acquired. This could involve making informed decisions based on media consumption, such as voting, lifestyle changes, or managing media habits.

What are some of the future topics that will be discussed in the Crash Course Media Literacy series?

Future topics to be discussed in the series include the impact of virtual and augmented reality media, the role of artificial intelligence in news consumption, and the implications of corporations selling 'smart home' devices that listen to users.