1. WHAT IS MEDIA LITERACY?
MODULE 1: The Basics

2. Lesson Module Outcomes
• In this lesson students will:
▫ Learn the definition of media literacy and how it
has changed over the years.
▫ Look at the history of media and the most pivotal
developments in recent years.
▫ Understand the generation gap in regards to
media literacy and its affects.

3. Introductory Discussion
• Think about the following question on your own
for a few minutes and write down a definition.
Then discuss among the class.
• How do you define media literacy?

4. Discussion Continued
• Now, watch this video clip “An Ever Changing
World”, which was uploaded in 2009. Discuss
among the class your reflections and other
changes you have seen made in the media since.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuKu6PZXC
IY

5. Media Literacy Defined
• According to the Center for Media Literacy:
▫ In 1992: Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze,
evaluate and create media in a variety of forms.”
▫ Today: “Media literacy is a 21st century approach to
education. It provides a framework to access, analyze,
evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety
of forms – from print to video to the Internet. Media
literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in
society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-
expression necessary for citizens of democracy.”

6. STOP!
• Go back and read the definitions again. What are
the main differences between how media literacy
was defined in 1992 and today?

7. Comparing the Definitions
▫ In 1992: It is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate
and create media in a variety of forms.
▫ Today: It is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate,
create and participate with media in a variety of forms.
▫ Key difference is the idea of PARTICIPATION.
▫ Why do you think participation has been added to the
definition? Discuss among the class.

8. Almost every piece of this timeline includes PARTICIPATION

9. Generation Gap?
• The idea of a generation gap in terms of
technology is nothing new, but today technology
is developing faster than ever.
• Is there a lack of understanding between parents
and/or teachers and their students?
• CASE STUDY: “A New Digital Age: Bridging the Generation Gap”
• AUDIO CLIP: Kid’s media usage creating generation gap

10. Case Study
• 86 participants asked what kind of technology they
use and how often.
• Expected to see the divide in use of technologies but
it was more in the reason for using these
technologies.
 “Need to know” versus exploration for the sake of
entertainment.
• http://editlib.org/p/27929

11. Audio Clip from MPRNews
• New study from Kaiser Family Foundation says
that teenagers/children spend up to 8 hours a
day consuming media, which is 2 hours above
the average just two years ago.
• Implications? Communication and technology is
widening the generation gap between today’s
teenagers/children and their parents.

12. Class Activity
• There are 31 billion searches on Google a month.
▫ How did we get answers before Google?
• Try using the Internet, but avoid Google and any
other search engine to find the answer to the
following question:
▫ When did Google begin and by whom?

13. Class Activity Continued
• Having trouble?
• Discuss the difficulties
you came across with
finding these answers
as a class.
• Have we become too
Google-dependent?

14. Assignment 1:
• Participate in the poll on the main page. After
submitting your answer, consider the other
options and write a summary ranking the way
you use these media sources and what for (news,
information, entertainment, etc.)
• In your summary, discuss how your poll answer
would differ from your parents, grandparents,
teachers, etc. and why you think so.