EDUC 6810 Weekly Reading #2

1.  In your opinion, is the potential for more people to create their own media a positive or negative influence on our democratic society? Use a quote from the reading to support your answer.

"Rhetorical meanings are presented on a variety of levels (logical, emotional, spiritual, etc.) that are subject to interpretation..."  I believe it could go either way; it all depends on the consumers of the visual images.  If the consumers do not analyze what they are seeing, and form opinions only by what they see, then that will have a negative influence on our society.  But if consumers do look beyond the images and question the truth behind them, then that will be a positive.

2. Is  visual cultural a good thing or bad thing? Use a quote from the reading to support your answer.

"Technological developments, and subsequent impacts with modification, are part of the history of the world"  I don't see visual culture as necessarily a good or bad thing, it's just the way things are.  Technology is evolving, and we are evolving with it.  Technology has always been changing, and in order for us to grow, we adapt.

3. Do you think you are a critical consumer of visual images? Give an example.

No, I don't believe I am a critical consumer of visual images.  I am definitely guilty of basing my opinion of something on what I see.  For example, commercials.  I know I buy products based on which commercials I like best.

4. How does the article influence your thoughts about teaching media literacy in school? Use a quote from the reading to support your answer.

"Mere exposure is enough in this regard.  We don't have to be specifically targeted by the image source."  This article makes me realize even more the importance of teaching media literacy to my students.  Students are bombarded with images everyday trying to sway their opinion and they don't even realize it.  It is important that we teach them to be critical of what they see, and to question the truth behind it.  Children are naïve and will usually believe what they see as fact.  It is our job to teach them to analyze what they are seeing on television, the internet, and in print.

Source

Schnell, J. (2008). Suggestions for Addressing the Increased Emphasis on Visual Imagery over Aural Messages.  Media Psychology Review. Vol. 1(1).