21st Century Literacies: Navigating Internet Information

Study Notes

The Newness of 21st Century Literacies

The internet has brought about an overwhelming amount of information, making it essential to develop new literacies to navigate this deluge.
The abundance of information on the internet is unprecedented, with websites, web forums, and social media applications available 24/7, regardless of location.
The absence of "information custodians" (librarians) means individuals must now take responsibility for curating the information they consume.

The Relationship between Media Literacy and Cyber/Digital Literacy

Media Literacy and Cyber/Digital Literacy are interconnected and essential for navigating the information age.
Understanding the relationship between these two literacies is crucial for effective communication and critical thinking.

Defining Media Literacy

Media literacy can be defined in various ways, including:
- The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate messages in various forms (Aufderheide, 1993).
- The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create messages across different contexts (Christ and Potter, 1998).
- The process of critically analyzing and creating one's own messages in various media forms (Hobbs, 1998).
- The ability to identify and understand the messages being communicated (Common Sense Media, n.d.).

History of Media Literacy Education

Media literacy education began in the United States and United Kingdom in response to war propaganda in the 1930s and the rise of advertising in the 1960s.
The need for media literacy education arose from the manipulation of public perspective through media, highlighting the importance of detecting biases, falsehoods, and half-truths.

Importance of Media Literacy

Media literacy is crucial for understanding the "why" behind media communication, which is often used to manipulate consumers' perceptions.
Scholars and educators have debated the definition and teaching of media literacy, with no consensus on goals or instructional techniques.

Learning Outcomes

Develop a working understanding of Media and Cyber/Digital Literacy and their relationship.
Appreciate the importance of developing these literacies in oneself and others.
Realize the need to take practical steps to develop these literacies in children from an early age.

Description

This quiz assesses understanding of the 21st century literacy skills required to navigate and make sense of the vast amount of information available on the internet. It covers the ability to critically evaluate and make sense of online information from various sources.