Media Literacy

Definition:

Is being able to understand the process of development of a media text and have the ability to apply this process of communication through visual or audio form, involving different audiences.



Is media literacy important?

I wanted to find out how many of my friends and family are media literate, so I designed this questionnaire for them to complete:

1. How often do you watch Television?
0 to 5 hours a week II
6 to 10 hours a week II
11 to 15 hours a week I
16 hours plus a week IIIII

2. Have you ever made a film from existing footage?
Yes III
No IIIIIII

3. Have you ever made a film from footage you have made?
Yes III
No IIIIIII

4. Can you use the internet?
No II
Yes, a little I
Of course! IIIIIII

5. If you can use the internet, what do you do on there? (Tick as many as apply)
Spend time on social networking sites such as, facebook? IIIIIII
Watch videos others have made on U-tube? IIIIIII
Do your Homework? IIIIIII
Search for information? IIIIIIIIII
Other..........................................................................................

6. Do you have your own website? If yes, did you make it?
Yes I Yes I
No IIIIIIIII No IIIIIIIII

7. Can you analyse media texts beyond face value?
Yes II
A little bit IIIIIII
No
I haven’t any idea what that means! I

8. Do you know what Media literacy means?

Yes I
No IIIIII
Kind of II

As you can see from my survey, many people are partially media literate, by this I mean they can use the internet, and access media others have made, but are not able to produce it themselves. Most of them understand the media products in which they use, but they are not able to successfully analyse all the aspects of it. During my questionnaire many added to number 7, that they would be able to analyse visual media better than audio. I asked them why this was; the summery of their answers was ‘it’s easier because there’s pictures’. But overall when asked what the term ‘media literacy’ means all but one answered No.