Wikipedia defines media literacy as the process of analyzing, evaluating and creating messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres and forms. It defines print literacy as the ability to read, write, speak and listen in meaningful or socially-recognized ways. One question that comes to mind when reading these two definitions is how a student would be able to comprehend media literacy without print literacy? Media literacy is a form of print literacy it seems. I think that both are very important, especially in this day and age. However, it seems that as technology improves, society thinks that we are going to get rid of the old ways. I remember when I was in college and professors and students would sometimes say that we were all going to be replaced by computers anyway. Now we have come to realize that is not going to happen. While computers are very important, teachers will not be replaced by them. Same goes with print literacy versus media literacy. Media literacy is very important, it provides people with amplitude of ways to communicate and process information, but none of this will be possible without the ability to read and write.
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Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more. It all comes back to the basics. On the chat the other day, someone commented that unreliable programs require a backup plan. Another person then commented that if the program didn't work, it would provide an opportunity to talk with the students about the need for being able to do things without the use of computers, in case they didn't work. When I was in law school, we researched all of the cases on the computer, and were quite dependent on programs such as Westlaw or LexisNexis. The professors, however, often would require the use of the library, not the computer, so that we knew how to properly research without technology. Obviously, many of us found these requirements frustrating, until the systems were down and we had to research in the library, then we were glad to know how to do it. Also, some places don't have computer access, so students will need to know how to function successfully without the use of computers. Essentially, I believe that computers are wonderful tools, and allow us so many wonderful resources, but we would be limiting our students' abilities if we only ask them to use computers, or put too much emphasis on them. Computers should follow the basics. Literacy should first be reading and writing, and then be supplemented with the knowledge of computers and online sources.
I completely agree with you, the old ways are still going to be used to teach kids how to learn. However, with pressure educational experts and this class, teachers need to incorporate more tech in the classroom. I cannot speak for the elementary teachers but I hope that they continue to instruct most of literacy in the old fashioned way. making sure that students master reading and writing first then incorporate printed media as a tool or form of printed literacy.
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