This week’s topic covered how important it is for media literacy during a time when our media tools are more engaging and open than ever before. Unlike with media such as Television before, our new media platforms and apps are more providing of opportunities or interactivity that media literacy is correspondingly more valuable now. In the “Media Literacy with Julia Smith” video, this sentiment is considered when discussing the common reaction of parents of “protectionism” to their children’s use of online media. The lack of knowledge of media literacy and parents attitudes to what their children are doing online demonstrates a lack of media literacy – rather than understanding their children’s actions (or available media) it’s easier to simply block them.
How do notable individuals use social media?
To communicate their personal image, brand, messages they believe are important, but also for personal entertainment and interactions. As discussed in the Media Voices video with Jody Vance, social media use is also a way to build ones unique image. It helps establish what the average user may expect from celebrities or leaders of a field or topic. In the case of Jody Vance, her opinions and statements are clearly hers and representative of what views and strengths she wants to portray (as opposed to say, politicians, journalists, or reporters who have journalistic obligations and/or represent another entity).
What are the benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN?
Your message, image, and brand reaches out to a larger following, enabling yourself to be viewed as an inspiring and influential figure. People can see your media posts and image, be inspired and informed to act or learn, and view you as a respective figurehead/leader in your field.
How do those, who are veteran storytellers, minimize risk in sharing misinformation?
It’s important to not overly speculate or make statements without a clear source or supporting evidence. Speculation by individuals with credence, a large following, or a certain reputation may create further speculation built off the authority of the original commenter. Additionally, if a storyteller is associated with a larger organization their views or comments be further extended to be that of the organization. When content or events and perspectives are uncertain, its important to distinguish between personal opinion or the very fact that a comment is speculative. Professionals need to be aware of how their message represents either themselves, others, or even a larger organization. Like within the sporting world, understanding a certain line respective to ones professional position is important to weigh when one should speak out to the world their opinions or beliefs. Furthermore, it is also valuable to not make any too critical or speculative comments on entities and individuals that one may interact or work with in the future.
What is media literacy?
Media literacy is the ability for individuals to identify and question the different types of media and underlying (or blatant) messages they are trying to convey. It’s a broad, fluid, and changing topic as the media that is being shown to us primarily through the Internet, but also through TV and other media sources, are vast in quantity and ever-changing. Beyond understanding media, it also involves critical thinking in assessing and verifying the authenticity or accuracy of what is being shared. Media literacy further involves the ability to first assess and evaluate information, then following to be able to use and manage the information shared (Trilling & Fadel, 2009). It requires contextual, factual knowledge, as well as the ability to assess perspectives or agendas of those who share information, be they corporations, individuals, or other organizations.
Why is it important?
Media and how it is shared with us is constant and unrelenting if we spend large parts of our lives online and regularly using media platforms. With the high engagement and proliferation of media for profit, information (or disinformation), personal use, education, etc. in our daily lives, it is important for us to know what we view and interact with is true. As covered in the Media Literacy video with Julie Smith, if you were to see it online how would you know if 2 + 2 = 4? By having sufficient media literacy abilities, on should be able to question the information shared, the source of the information, and consensus or interactions made by others viewing the same piece of media. As much as we are media consumers, we are also media producers with every little comment, reaction, or larger post, blog, or video we make.
Why should you aim for varied views but a factual consensus in your PLN?
Having varied views of any context, discussion, or debate helps everyone consider the many possible perspectives of the situation. Online, having varied views coming from persons from various experiences, backgrounds, and even agendas/objectives can help reach factual consensuses that consider all valid aspects of a topic/scenario/etc. Having trusted individuals in our PLNs can help provide grounded or enhanced feedback or support when discussing content that we may be emotionally or passionately discussing. Furthermore, PLNs can be curated and tailored to ensure that peers or like-minded individuals that we communicate with are similar in appreciating each other and wanting an educational discussion. PLNs are important parts of our online networks, and I believe it is important to establish and identify within an online community that is focused on education and constructive self-learning. PLNs should aim to not have blind affirmation, but rather reinforcing discourse.
References:
Media Literacy – Facts Matter – Julie Smith – Course YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/57r3-aEnci0
Media Voices – Jody Vance – Course YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/E-NnpQJdl0A
Trilling, B., Fadel, C., Partnership for 21st Century Skills, & Books24x7, I. (2009). 21st century skills: Learning for life in our times (1st ed.). Jossey-Bass.
June 13, 2021 at 2:51 pm
Hey Allen, great thoughts on media literacy and connections with this weeks readings. It is very important to have a diverse PLN as all those different perspectives from different parts of the world (even variances within our own country, province, and city) are important to give us the most contexts about topics. Groupthink can be a dangerous thing and a diverse PLN can “keep someone in check”. But it is also important to do our own research before we post (media literacy) so you can fact check, and evaluate the sources of information.
June 13, 2021 at 7:53 pm
Hi, I agree with you. The messages posted by a famous person on social media platforms represent his personal image. The number of followers he has on a social platform depends on the image he has created in the social platform. If a celebrity is constantly posting negative comments, the less image power he has online or in society, the more he will be ridiculed by others. Likewise, some celebrities will use social media platforms to create a new image that will change their perception of them, thus attracting more followers.