3/5/2016 Critical Media Literacy Post #3

Here is a recent definition of critical media literacy I posted for my E-Learning class.

Critical Media Literacy-Critical Media Literacy is defined as the ability to “access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate information in a variety of forms, including print and non-print messages,” (Media literacy defined, 2013).  I found this definition from the article Transforming Teaching and Learning Through Critical Media Literacy Pedagogy by Antero Garcia, Robyn Seglem, and Jeff Share. 

Critical Media Literacy is an important term to understand in the realm of e-learning and instructional technologies.  Technology has a way of creating systematic learning environments and ignoring culture and human behavior.  Critical Media Literacy allows the learner to use technology to break away from banking and rote memorization in order to critically analyze information that is being processed. 

An example of e-learning that incorporates critical media literacy is a simulation that teaches learners to budget finances or do taxes.  The simulation that teaches learners to understand the overall meaning of making informed consumer decision is an example of critical media literacy instead of mindlessly remembering  math skills and formulas.  The goal is to “unveil and engage issues of power, ideology, and pleasure” as well as to examine “the institutions and political economy that structure media industries as profit-seeking businesses” (Kellner & Share, 2007: Masterman, 2001; Thoman & Jolls, 2005).

My overall understanding of critical media literacy is to use technology as a means to liberate the minds of learners and understand the importance of analyzing media.