The Center for Media Literacy defines Media Literacy as
“A 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy.”
Five Basic Media Literacy Questions:
Who created this message?
What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?
How might different people understand this message differently?
What values, lifestyles and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message?
Why is this message being sent?
Five Core Concepts of Media Literacy:
All media messages are ‘constructed.’
Media messages are constructed using a creative language with its own rules.
Different people experience the same media message differently.
Media have embedded values and points of view.
Most media messages are organized to gain profit and/or power.
Additional Resources
NAMLE (National Association for Media Literacy Education) is the largest national Media Literacy Education Organization and publishes Journal of Media Literacy Education
Digital Citizenship Websites
Infographics
Also see: Digital Identity