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#1: Media Literacy Fundamental: What is Media?

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Summary: Media is no longer an influence on our culture, it is ingrained within our culture. Examining various mediums enable one to critically analyze the message(s) our mediums convey to the world around us. This lesson explores the term media, which is fundamental in understanding media literacy. 

 

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to…

  • develop insight regarding various mediums and the messages they convey.

  • identify ones personal relationship with the media they consume.

  • recognize how various media impact personal perception.

  • create a media product that reflects upon the effects of media abstinence.

 

A) 10-Minute Lesson: Which Mediums Create The Media? 

 

According to the National Association of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), media refers to all electronic or digital means and print or artistic visuals used to transmit messages. The term media has historical roots as a form of communication since the 1920’s, stemming from the plural form of medium, which was used as an intervening agency, means, or instrument. Today, the word media includes every broadcasting and narrow-casting medium such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, as well as many types of digital communication such as websites, email and social networking. Media can be used as a plural or singular verb, depending on the sense intended. It is generally categorized into four formats: print, visual, sound and digital. 

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Activity: For each of the four types of media categories, brainstorm a list of different types of media that would fall into each category. Keep in mind that media definitions are often blurred as more media becomes digitized and personal cellular devices expand their capabilities, so some media may fit into more than one category. For example:

B) 20-30 Minute Lesson Plan: The Medium is the Message

 

In 1964, scholar Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase, “the medium is the message,” suggesting that each new technology has a unique way of delivering messages that are conducive to how and why it exists. In other words, McLuhan believed that it was not what we said, but the way we said it that mattered most. In essence, the words we use are not as important as the way we choose to say them. Watch the following video The Medium is the Message (4:34) to better understand the concept, then analyze individual mediums for what messages they primarily convey.  As consumers, the first step of learning how media impacts our lives is to become more conscious about the interplay between the medium and message, to accept that our actions on popular websites or social media shape not only what stories we will or will not see, but how each of these mediums influence our personal perspectives.  

 

Activity: Consider the list of different mediums created in Step A. Each medium, regardless of whether it is a social media platform or printed publication, will convey a different tone even if the message is the exact same. What messages do each of the mediums listed convey to their audience? For example:

 

  • Twitter: Efficiency and Urgent Messaging             

  • Facebook: Personal Connection                   

  • Instagram: Visual Interest & Attention

  • Television: Visual Escapism, Advertising                 

  • Movies: Escapism, Adventure, Lifestyle

  • Academic Journals: Scholarly Research 

  • Websites: Promote products/services

  • Podcasts: Vocal Independence, Diverse Perspectives                         

 

C) 45-60 Minute Lesson Plan: Dig Deeper into Personal Media Consumption Habits

 

Increase awareness of how much media you consume throughout a 24-hour period. 1) Estimate how much time you think you might spend consuming each of the four types of media. 2) Create a method for keeping track, such as a media journal, and 3) Document approximately how much time is spent on each throughout a 34-hour period. See the chart below as an example. Include the following:

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  •   Type of media (print, visual, sound or digital)

  •   Amount of time spent using it

  •   Motivation for using it (homework, socializing, relaxation, mood management, etc.)

  •   Context and situation (where and why)

 

For example:

After the 24-hour period and documentation, reflect on the following questions:

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  1. What medium did you use the most? The least? Why?

  2. Was your media use more or less typical for you? Why or why not?

  3. Reflecting on the media used throughout the time frame, which media could you live without? Why?

  4. Which type of media do you use as part of a social activity and which are used primarily when you are alone? What factors explain this?

  5. How do you use different types of media for work, school, social communication and leisure purposes?

  6. Is there anything about your consumption of media that you would like to change? Why or why not?

 

D) Homework (Expansion of Lesson): 24-Hours Unplugged and Sharing the Experience

 

Assignment: Choose a single day, one 24-hour period, to abstain from all media* Turn off the cell phone, computer, television, radio, news, etc.  After the 24-hour period, find a way to reflect upon the experience and share it with others. Consider writing a short 300-word blog article using WordPress, or create a podcast about about your experience. There are many podcasting platforms which make it simple to upload and share your thoughts about a topic. Consider using SoundCloud, Opinion Podcasting or Podbean to share your experience and answer several of the following questions: 

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  • How did you plan around your 24-hour period?

  • Was it difficult to abstain from media?

  • What did you enjoy or dislike about the experience?

  • Which form of media were most difficult to avoid?

  • What did you learn about your personal media usage? 

 

*If abstaining from all media is not a possibility, choose to abstain from one specific medium, such as social media, television, radio/music or an entire category such as print, visual, sound or digital.

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