Media Literacy vs. Traditional Literacy

The skills involved with media literacy and traditional literacy are similar to a point.  Both involve comprehending the material presented; as well as being able to write about the material; and of course ultimately using critical thinking skills to break down the material and being able to question, analyze, and evaluate it.  However, media literacy goes a few steps further than traditional literacy.  The reader has to be able to keep up with lightning fast, changing information presented to them.  As society grows, the influx of information is phenomenal.  The reader has to be able to distinguish what is a reliable source and what is just simply bologna. 

I honestly believe it was too hard in the past to produce a book that was based on pure nonsense or conspiracy theories.  It was not impossible, just harder.  The creator had to be dedicated to produce nonsense.  It's expensive to produce a book, have it edited, and then published.  However, you don't even need Internet access in your own home, the library is free, to make a webpage.  There are also several free sites to help someone create their own webpage, including Blogger.  Furthermore, the user can almost publish anything that they want.  This is scary for a few reasons.  Children are vulnerable and without the skills to determine what is reliable and what is not, then their absorption of the material presented may not be healthy. 

There are also several different ways to access this material today.  The user has to understand how to use search engines, as well as, follow relevant links.  To be honest, I'm not sure I have these skills.  I'm not completely sure what is considered a media literate individual.  I think I understand but I'm not sure I do.  It is so easy to get distracted by a colorful, interactive website. 

I'm interested in knowing how the school's are going to create media literate students.  In reviewing ReadWriteThink website, I think #4 Professional Development for Grades 3-12 would be a very relevant lesson plan.  For instance, the lesson plans include analyzing political cartoons; analyzing the difference between arguments, persuasion, and propaganda; and exploring stereotypes in the media which include race, gender, class, and ethnicity.  All these lessons are the key to being traditional and media literate.  I especially like the fact that it breaks down difference between arguments, persuasion, and propaganda.  I really believe that this is one of the hardest things for kids and adults alike to understand.  Too many times I see adults posting information on Facebook that is complete propaganda and sadly they believe it to be true.  I don't know if many of these people are too lazy to research the information or they don't understand how to evaluate and research the information before they reproduce it in society.  What happens from there?  The next person takes the same information and regurgitates it in the same manner.  I like it when I see propaganda debunked.  When someone actually researches the material and publically refutes it.  I think if nothing else, it makes the original person think about what they post the next time around.  Maybe forcing them to begin researching what they post.