Media Literacy

Pop quiz! Which would you rather do? Write a 10 page paper over different styles of music by using a textbook, or complete the paper by researching music videos on youtube? Yeah, youtube would be my choice too, but why? Why is it that students would much use youtube as a source over a text book? Because it has to do with media, it's not just reading out of a book. 


Media literature is defined as the "ability to effectively and efficiently comprehend and utilize mass communication". Being media literate is not only being able to see the message but to be able to break it down and comprehend it. Commercials are always trying to come up with sneaky ways to use media literacy. 

As we all know the ecosystem is something near and dear to many people. Audi is showing that not only is driving their Audi A3 TDI 'feel right' but their clean diesel is good for the environment. This combination makes people feel like they would be doing good for the ecosystem if they were to buy this SUV. But the only way to understand that the ecosystem is in trouble and there are things we can do to prevent it, you have to be media literate to understand the message this commercial is conveying. 

"Media literacy is the ability to sift through and analyze the messages that inform, entertain and sell to us every day. It's the ability to bring critical thinking skills to bear on all media— from music videos and Web environments to product placement in films and virtual displays on NHL hockey boards", says Jane Tallim. Being media literate is a quality that everyone has in them without even knowing it! Media is everywhere you go, just think about how much you truly do use it every single day.