What is Media Literacy?

"Media literacy is extremely important to students. First of all, media literacy ensures students have the knowledge to determine whether information they are using is from a reliable source. High quality, reputable sources provide students with accurate information for high school, in post-secondary programs, and in work and life beyond their formal education. Teaching media literacy empowers students to think critically, and to have their opinions and voices not only be heard, but also well received by others in the digital world."

From a participating teacher in SW WA Media Literacy Project

What skills and habits of mind define citizenship in a digital age? 

As our culture and economy interconnects with digital tools and services, both children and adults are having to redefine how they learn, communicate, and share information and ideas. Educators have identified terms like digital citizenship and media literacy to describe the skill sets and habits of mind necessary to navigate the digital world. Organizations like the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) and Common Sense Education have played leadership roles in helping to define standards for student learning in these areas. 

In Washington State, legislation has identified both digital citizenship and media literacy as an essential component for K-12 student learning and defines them as follows

Digital Citizenship "includes the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to current technology use, including digital and media literacy, ethics, etiquette, and security. Digital citizenship includes the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, develop, produce, and interpret media, as well as Internet safety and cyberbullying prevention and response.” 

Media Literacy "is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using a variety of forms of communication. Media literacy includes the ability to understand how and why media messages and images are constructed and for what purposes they are used."

https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/edtech/digitalcitmedialit/pubdocs/introduction-definitions.pdf

This page provides a quick introduction that will help you better understand what skills and habits of mind define citizenship in this digital age and what you can do to learn and teach these as role models for others. 

Getting Started with Media Literacy

Washington State Standards and Resources

Washington State has made a strong commitment to defining and promoting media literacy through legislation and statewide initiatives.  Washington State has also adopted the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Student Standards for K12 students in Washington Schools.

Media literacy

Washington State OER Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Hub - these free resources include lessons, activities and units focused on media literacy

Media literacy definitions 

Student technology standards

The following standards align with media literacy and digital citizenship instruction.  Additional details about these standards can be found on the Student Standards page.

Digital Citizen

Students recognize the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world, and they act and model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical.

Knowledge Constructor

Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.