Month: March 2021

– What is media literacy?
Media literacy is the ability to distinguish true and false information perceived from media. The establishment of digital identity relies on media literacy since it is the most fundamental and essential skill that enables individuals to construct their digital identities.

– Why is it important?
Julie Smith mentioned a common dilemma called “2+2=5.” (3:00) By using this dilemma, she refers to the situations when internet users draw wrong conclusions from false information from media sources. Though it may seem apparent that 2+2=4, users may arrive at erroneous conclusions because the media sources have become complicated and numerous in recent years. Moreover, Smith argues that users tend to believe in the news that they find naturally agreed because the choice by design implants in human nature. (19:44)

Besides the subjective problem of human nature, we also should be aware that news industries are business firms that aim money as an end goal, and thus, news feed people what they want to best generate its financial outcome. (21:50). Taking the example of Donald Trump’s election as the United States government, his political and leadership competency did not account for his election success. Instead, it is the popular American culture that prefers a brave and somewhat distinct political figure that helped Trump secure his presidency. (25:50)

– Why is it dismissed?
Besides personal subjectivity that could misguide individuals and prevent us from arriving at accurate and valid information from media sources, fear comes in the first place when the media has gained momentum in social life. Parents were worried about kids being exposed to online information. (9:55) Instead of fear, I would argue that we need to adapt to this change, especially in circumstances as it becomes inevitable.

What is the benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy?

Having a PLN that values media literacy would lead to respect for others’ digital identity as well as yours. Though media resources could complicate the learning environment, students can also benefit from them. By learning how to use media resources and media creation tools, students could create communication products that enhance the learning experience. (Trilling, 2012)As we learned that news is not an objective reflection of reality, developing media literacy skills could help us understand how the media impacts our society and develop the necessary skills to accommodate it. (Trilling, 2012) By accepting changes and embracing media literacy, I hope it could positively affect young people in online learning and communication.

Reference:

Media Literacy – Facts Matter – Course YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/Z_T9RghwJlI

21st Century Skills – Learning for Life In Our Times Trilling, B & Fadel, C – Digital Literacy Skills – Media Literacy Chapter 4 pp.66 https://learning-oreilly-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/library/view/21st-century-skills/9780470475386/fade_9780470475386_oeb_c04_r1.html

This week we touched on PLN in education. This topic excites me since I aim to develop a professional career in education. Mr. Brad Baker talks about how his local and international PLN encourage him to speak up his voice. Leading positive figures such as Mrs. Walker (15:08) and Learning Forward Institution (16:17) provide him with examples and encouragement to take a stand for his community. A crucial question that professor Miller post is whether exploring indigenous and racial struggles in the classroom could leave Mr. Baker vulnerable. This question raises my awareness because I have the same concern. As an international student who may hold different understandings of culture, history, and values compared to my students, I worried about my words could leave me embarrassed and vulnerable, and thus I often tend to skip or go easy on controversial topics such as racism. However, Baker’s claim, regarding “vulnerable as growth.” (13:05), really altered my opinion. It’s apparent that individual struggle is challenging, and thus support from one’s PLN becomes necessary. Baker argues that his PLN provided him true stories in fixing the misunderstanding about indigenous people being unadvanced people. Another unneglectable function of PLN is to connect learners with society.

In the article 21st Century Skills – Learning for Life In Our Times, Trilling indicates the lack of social interaction is the most common and severe consequence of distance learning. (63) In my experience, my passion for learning has declined since Uvic shifted classes online as COVID-19 took place. I contribute the declination of my grade and interests in learning to the lack of interaction with my professors and classmates. To be honest, sometimes I would even question whether I am still attending university. Students’ learning patterns could easily fall into the category of passive learning as interaction diminishes. As Trilling argues, untimely feedback from the instructors is another problem (63), and it could also result in passive learning. In this case, Mattermost plays as an essential social media platform to eliminate these problems. Mattermost allows students to communicate with each other and create active engagement; it also makes communication with the professor less formal and more personal and accessible; although I would argue that it couldn’t replace social interaction in reality. Professor Miller indicates that fewer students are active this semester in this course which I regard as inevitable. At the moment, social media indeed improves students’ engagement in courses, but it couldn’t reverse the momentum of student’s inclination toward passive learning as time proceeds.

Reference

Media Literacy – Facts Matter – Course YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/Z_T9RghwJlI

21st Century Skills – Learning for Life In Our Times Trilling, B & Fadel, C – Digital Literacy Skills – Media Literacy Chapter 4 pp.66 https://learning-oreilly-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/library/view/21st-century-skills/9780470475386/fade_9780470475386_oeb_c04_r1.html

Social media has become the dominant source of news. In the article, Hirst states that newspapers, televisions, and other traditional media channels are longer popular; social media and online video platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Youtube have become the dominant powers in the media industry. When I first learned about the “Tweet President,” Donald Trump, I really took him as an entertainer and considered his acts unserious and unprofessional. However, after being challenged by EDCI 338, my views started to change. Trump was a successful businessman who has a large PLN even before he was elected to the U.S. President. After becoming the President, he used Twitter to expand his PLN by tagging and interacting with other political figures. The use of social media amplified his voice, and he earned much political support. However, it is evident that his acts on Twitter also attracted much hatred and controversies. The use of social media as a mainstream of news could be devastating in this situation. Public natural trust in governmental officials such as the President could lead to trust in misguided information. Though one could argue that traditional channels also operate on a political basis, I would say that social media reduces the difficulty of entering the media industry. In other words, everyone could be a reporter or a writer on social media. It becomes harder to distinguish between real and fake news, which is mentioned as “The New Media Crisis” in Hirst’s article. Jody Vance also reflected this change in the industry, and it has brought up challenges against her.

To resolve the trust crisis of new media, the solutions lie under the definition of media literacy. Hirst defines media literacy as taking responsibility individually and collectively. Therefore, I would argue that individuals should develop the ability to distinguish fake news and authentic news. (e.g., identifying publishers, cross-checking multiple resources, and considering potential political means) On a collective level, I do believe a more strict and constructed surveillance department is necessary for the new media industry. A trust system should be established to support authorized publishers. The establishment of such a system of an institution can also reduce vicious competitors, who often use fake news to attract audiences in the new media industry.

 

Reference

Vance, Jody & Miller, J. “EDCI 338 – 2021 – 03 – 21 JODY VANCE.” 03 Mar. 2021. doi: https://.youtube.com/watchv=dgZOJgJKdyl&feature=youtu.be
Hirst, M. (2018). Navigating Social Journalism: A Handbook for Media Literacy and Citizen Journalism (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.4324/9781315401263

I believe establishing a diverse and inclusive PLN in social media could benefit both the individual and society.

Establishing a more diverse and inclusive PLN implies expanding one’s PLN and accepting difference. It could be differences in competence and skills in professional fields or differences in personal identity such as race and nationality. As stated in Media, Democracy, Human Rights, and Social Justice, public communication in democratic societies is dominated by governmental, corporate, and public relations. In the long term, the monopoly of media could result in an uncompetitive environment of the public voice. (Jasen, 1)

Moreover, it could lead to the marginalization of minority cultures, races, and individuals. Ever since the human has entered the era of information, communications and connections between entities became more transparent and convenient. However, I would argue that social media in the context of globalization and the age of information could misguide us and offer us a limited and stereotypical view of the world. We are much limited to live in our comfort zone in real life as well as in social media, and we tend to select people, culture, and interests that we are familiarized with. There is nothing wrong with our inclination of our self-interests, but I believe that this inclination could bury the seed of prejudice in the long run. By the time you are so used to your carefully selected social media content, you have already become exclusive and biased in a way that you weren’t even expecting. Thus, reflection on one’s social media diversity is crucial to limit personal bias and stereotypical views.

Furthermore, I find myself developing competencies and skills while expanding and diversifying my PLN. In a beginner French course that I took at Uvic, the instructor forced the students to form different discussion groups in every class to practice French dialogue, and it was uncomfortable initially, but my views started changing as I was engaged with people from distinct backgrounds. Among my classmate, there was a guy from Jamaica. He helped me develop my French oral and listening competency through practicing dialogues because French was an official language of Jamacia. Besides, we became friends, and we shared many objectives. As Markiel Simpson states in the video: common objectives in PLN can promote better outcomes.(4:20) My Jamaican friend brought me his homemade Jamaican lunch and introduced me to their food culture. Our passion for jazz music inspired us to conduct a music project in the course. Through this experience of expanding my PLN, I had a better grasp of Jamaican culture and its people. Jamacia for me is no longer a name for a country in a history textbook, it became the culture, the music, the people with flesh and memory. The first step to approach a more justice world is to expand your PLN and get to know those from distinctive backgrounds. By diversifying our PLN, we not only could develop professional experience, but we also gain personal growth that enables us to shape a better world around us.

Reference

Media & Social Justice http://ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url=http://www.palgraveconnect.com/doifinder/10.1057/9780230119796 CHAPTER 4 A New Vision for Public Media Open, Dynamic, and Participatory Jessica Clark and Patricia Aufderheide

Community Communications, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCSpm1Lx8-A

Launching a successful campaign on social media requires a well-constructed PLN planned ahead. I would argue that the process is similar to creating an online discussion group subjected to interest. At the beginning of January this year, I wanted to create a reading club to push myself to read more and create a space for discussion that can open my view. Before starting the club, I first went on Twitter and initiated a few topics related to reading. By communicating with some of the participants, I invited them to join my online reading club on Wechat. I believe that common interests are the most crucial in creating online activities. As initiators, we can use social media platforms to express and promote our ideas to attract those who hold similar beliefs. Being the one who takes a stand also demonstrates your leadership in others’ eyes, which is essential in launching campaigns. Ask and listen are another set of tangible skills in establishing a successful campaign. Woods also suggests that it is also worth trying other social media and technology that you may not be familiar with.

Reference

Woods, Bianca. “Building your own PLN: seeking new insights and ideas? Expand your personal learning network.” T+D, vol. 67, no. 11, Nov. 2013, p. 70+. Gale OneFile: Business.gale.com/apps/doc/A348998538/ITBC?u=uvictoria&sid=ITBC&xid=1010abdf.