Media Literacy
The possibilities and uses of the digital world: virtual citizenship.
From media consumer to “prosumer”
The image of the passive media consumer is outdated: with the new (upcoming) technologies there is no longer demand for consumer activity only, but a shift is noticeable to what is now called “prosumers”: participants that also produce, sort, share, mix, and match content themselves.
Through the various Web 2.0 publicity possibilities on the Internet, the prosumer has endless opportunities to spread his or her own content. Think of sites site YouTube or Google Video for videos, Flickr for photos and MySpace for one’s music. And for adding information interactive encyclopedias like Wikipedia or personal weblogs are available.
The internet is, thus, not a one-way through passage where the user simply searches and finds, but a continue changing medium in which user add and share content themselves (user generated content). Research has shown that users upload more to the web than they actually download! Within the expert domain Media Literacy the Creative Learning Lab approaches the students and teachers as being “prosumers”.
Click here to read more about the specific projects that Media Literacy brings forth.
Teachers and Media Literacy
Teachers are eager to know what students are doing online and what motivates them. Media literacy of teachers thus entails gaining insight into technological opportunities to stimulate education. Media literacy for children implies active, creative, and conscious use of the various media. Creative technology offers opportunities for new, motivating forms of learning. Active, creative use of technology connects to the current prosumer culture.
Active content creators and education
The need to use this technology was also noticed by the OCW conference Media Literacy in October of 2006.
Instead of fear and misunderstanding between students and teachers – as is now often the case – we actually see this development as a way to bring both parties more closer to each other. Young children know how to create a movie/podcast/etc en how to put this on the Internet, teachers know how to create the content, where students can find their sources, what points should get extra attention and how to deal with copyright.
Research Questions Media Literacy
Questions that arise within the domain Media Literacy, are:
- What is the meaning of material that can so easily be manipulated?
- How do we educate children to active, self aware producers within a mediatized world?
- How do children learn to fully and respectfully express themselves in this digital environment?
- How can teachers participate in this process?
Activities of Media Literacy
Projects and trainings that fall under Media Literacy are:
