I tend to look at digital literacy and media literacy as two separate entities that intertwine. After starting my graduate course in this subject, I can see that they coincide with one another and belong together.
Digital and media literacy has to be taught. Who’s job is it to teach it? I think it requires ever-changing, evolving discussions from parents, teachers, care givers, friends. I believe in today’s day and age, with so much access to different types of media, it requires all hands on deck.
Teachers are learning and adapting their lesson plans to include aspects of digital and media literacy, without their students even being aware of it. I think about how much more media is shown in today’s classes than when I was in school – and the difference is clearly visible. Digital and media literacy skills are focussed on teaching students to think critically, for themselves. This includes “equipping students to successfully navigate their world and think for themselves.” (Scheibe, C., & Rogow, F.)
Today’s youth are exposed and becoming familiar with media earlier than the youth before them. This is why I think teaching digital and media literacy requires some help from home too. Parents should be monitoring what type of media their children are seeing and should help navigate them through appropriate and valid media.
The biggest challenge I think we face in teaching digital and media literacy is in researching the media we are using. The internet is a super hub of information and opinions. The challenge is in helping students navigate their way through fact vs. fiction. Another challenge is allowing students access to age appropriate material. Often times when I see students working on a research project, they are quick to pick the first article that comes to mind – whether it aligns to their reading ability or not. If it is too advanced of an article for them, they shut down, and if it is too easy, it usually does not contain enough important information.
Resources:
https://socialmediarsm.wordpress.com/2015/10/24/social-media-between-teacher-and-students-yes-or-no/
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