Media literacy is defined as the ability to critically analyze stories presented in the mass media and to determine their accuracy or credibility. The term “fake news” has been used a lot in recent years. Fake news is false or misleading information presented as news. Its main goal is often to damage the reputation of a person or to make money through ad revenue. With the popularization of social media, “fake news” is everywhere and becoming harder to spot. Media literacy is important because it helps people understand, evaluate, and participate with the messages that are being communicated to them. It helps students analyze the accuracy, reliability, and bias of different information. Media literacy is important to become a successful student, citizen, and worker. So how do teachers teach media literacy in the classroom?
Teach students to assess media
Students need to be taught how to distinguish truthful media from manipulative media. Teachers should discuss bias and sources and show students how media changes depending on who is producing it and who the target audience is.
Show students where to find reputable resources and databases
Teachers should provide students with honest resources and databases for trustworthy content. There are many databases designed for students.
Weigh out various media sources
Purposefully show examples of media altering photos or stories. Teach students to question what they’re reading or seeing at face value.
Diagnose the “truth” in advertisements
Have students figure out what ads are trying to sell and what “promises” or ideas they’re using to convince you to buy the product.
Have students create media
This can be altered depending on the grade level. Students can create movie posters, presentations, videos, or websites.
Showing students how media is altered is important. For example, showing students how photographs in magazines are edited can change how students look and feel about themselves. In a world full of information at our fingertips, it’s easy to get swept up in flashy headlines and conspiracy stories. It’s imperative that the future generation know how to navigate through the maze of information so they can make smart decisions and have an unbiased belief system.