EDUC 6810 Weekly Reading #1

I was surprised by my reaction to this video.  I hate to admit that when I first saw this woman walk out on stage my first thought was, "She looks like a model, what could she possibly have to say at an educational conference?"  I think this video shows exactly why it is so important to teach our students about media literacy.  "...media representations help construct our images and understanding of the world..." (Kellner & Share, 2005)  It is important to teach our students to not judge someone or something just on what we see in the media, because what they are showing us might not always be the truth.  "Individuals are often not aware that they are being educated and constructed by media culture, as its pedagogy is frequently invisible and unconscious."  I completely agree with this statement.  I think people, and especially kids, take what they see on television or the internet as fact, without ever really analyzing it to be truth or not.  That is why we need to teach students about bias in the media.  The goal of the media is to get us to think a certain way or want to buy a product.  They are constantly manipulating us, and we often don't even realize it.  "Students and youth are often more media savvy, knowledgeable, and immersed in media cultures than their teachers and can contribute to the educational process through sharing their ideas, perceptions, and insights."  This is such a great idea for a way for teachers and students to come together and discuss media literacy.  We can view this media with our students and then get insight into what they are thinking when they see it.   

Source

Kellner, D., & Share, J. (2005). Toward critical media literacy: Core concepts, debates, organizations, and policy. 26(3), 369-386.