What is media literacy?

Media Literacy is the ability to assess, adapt and recognize different aspects of the media. Further, it is the about delivering and crafting the best messages in different forms such as print, graphics, animation, audio, video etc (Trilling & Fadel, 2012). 


Why is it important?

It is important to learn as media and the internet is always changing and evolving and you never know how much it will change in even one day. It also allows students to gain valuable skills in dealing with all different kinds of media. There is also a lot of misinformation when it comes to media so being competent in media literacy will allow you to decipher between the good and the bad information. Lastly, it is important that we learn about media literacy because there is so much value in the media if we know how to use it properly, there are so many people out there that you can connect with and learn from.


Why is it dismissed?

There is so much information when it comes to the media which can be a challenge when trying to find out what is true and what isn’t. There is a lot of fake news and fake people on the internet that it can be difficult for individuals to see through all of that and look at the positives. When you are trying to find something on the internet, you will get millions of results, so it is hard to figure out which is true information. 


Why should you aim for varied views but the factual consensus in your PLN?

It is extremely important for your PLN to be factual and not have any misinformation on it. You want to view and read many different views and responses on a particular topic and see which is the most accurate information, and then use that information. If you only look at one paper or one website on the topic, it is hard to know whether or not that is factual information or not. But when you are looking through many different papers or website about the same topic you are able to find the truth.

References

Trilling, B. & Fadel, C. (2012). 21st Century Skills – Learning for Life in Our Times.