Media Literacy is absolutely a skill (or as the case may be a set of skills)that needs to be taught. Over the past 30 years or so we have been creating new media technologies at breakneck speeds. We often assume or expect the younger generations to simply know how to use these technologies as they have been the ones to grow up with them. And while many tech savvy students can operate any kind of technology it is still our job, as educators, to ensure that students are using these media effectively. Because of the speed in which new technology comes out, it is becoming less and less our responsibility to understand how these technologies work, but it is becoming more our responsibility to ensure that students are developing the skills to participate in the complex media system.
Participation is the most basic issue that we as educators should be concerned with. I consider this one of the most essential parts of my job: to dissolve any boundaries that may prevent a student from fully participating in the world in the manner in which they desire. Whether it be race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economical status, or sexual orientation; students should be equipped with the skills to work in and interact with world. Clinton, et. Al (2007), describe this concern as “The Participation Gap”. The authors make a valid point in which in past we have valued skills in art and creative writing, because creativity is becoming more valuable in the workforce. Today, we need to include new media into this pool of creativity. Most students are already sharing their thoughts and ideas online in some manner, we should be working to harness this creativity and put it to use in a productive manner. For those students who are not currently using digital media to express themselves, we should be working to figure out why. If a student does not have regular access to a computer, it is our role as an educator to help that student find access. If a student does to understand what digital media is out there for their disposal, it is our role as educators to introduce them. If a student feels uncomfortable sharing their creativity in such a public manner, it is our role as educators to help students develop a method communicating their ideas in a safe space.
It is no longer enough for students to simply be creative. We now expect students to express and communicate that creativity in a way that is meaningful. That is a lot to expect of a student, or of anyone really. Therefore we need to break it down. We need to find new ways for students to express their creativity digitally and also teach methods for communicating in the digital world. With both of these skills at their fingertips, they can be prepared to use these skills together in the future.
I do believe it is the role of educators to prepare students for the digital world. Parents and communities have very specific roles in a child’s life: to ensure that the child is fed, clothed, safe, moral, and social. Then it is an educator’s roles (whether it be in school, afterschool, or in a community education setting) to ensure that the student is prepared to interact in an intelligent and appropriate manner. Digital Media is today a part of communicating intelligently. Also, the information that students need to communicate is not so different from the information of the past. Simply the method of communication needs to change. Therefore, we should be teaching somewhat similar lessons, but using digital media as part of each lesson. It almost makes more sense to not being digital media lessons of themselves. By including the media into the lesson seamlessly students will perceive the ease and methods in which they can be used in the context of real world use. This is preparing students just as well as creating whole lessons about digital media. If students then have questions about how technically to use the media then we will be prepared to teach that as well as we would already be using the media ourselves.
However, while it is important that we use digital media seamlessly in our classrooms or programs, we also need to talk to students about the importance and uses of digital media. With the amount of information and mixed messages it is unrealistic to assume that students will simply pick up digital media and use it appropriately. When students are told of the predators online and websites are regularly restricted without warning or explanation, but then are told to use digital media to communicate ideas, we cannot expect students to understand the boundaries without a concrete talk on the issues. I feel that this is where parents come into play. While it is still the responsibility of the educator to talk about the possibilities, good and bad, of digital media, it is not our responsibility to set strict boundaries on digital media. Parents need to talk with their children about what they feel is appropriate or not in the digital realm.
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