Dynamic Media Environments: Expanding the Scope of Media Literacy

The book "Activist Media Literacy: Empowering Students to Engage with Social Issues and Create Social Change" broadens the scope of media literacy by addressing current social issues and challenges, presenting the Dynamic Media Environment Model, and offering instructor resources to empower students to engage with social issues and create social change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Ensuring media literacy education is comprehensive and relevant in today's rapidly changing media landscape requires a multifaceted approach. By expanding the scope of media literacy understanding and practice, we can better equip individuals to navigate the complex media environment and make informed decisions. One way to achieve this is by placing current diverse media literacy approaches within a broader media ecological framework. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of various media platforms, technologies, and practices and aims to provide a holistic understanding of how media shapes our society.

Addressing current social issues and challenges is another critical aspect of media literacy education. The rise of populism and emerging right-wing nationalist movements in various parts of the world, as well as the discourses and actions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement, and climate change, require students to be equipped with the skills to critically analyze and interpret media content. Activist media literacy education from this perspective empowers students to become active contributors to social change by critically examining media representations, challenging dominant narratives, and advocating for more inclusive and equitable societies.

To facilitate student comprehension and engagement, the book presents the Dynamic Media Environment Model, an accessible framework for understanding a variety of media environments. It includes media literacy examples, global case studies, and exercises throughout to aid student comprehension and also highlight how media environments can be used as a means to enact social change. Additionally, the book offers accompanying Instructor Resources that explain the goals and concepts involved in teaching activist media literacy from this perspective, including very specific examples of teaching situations and contexts, and curricula suggestions.

By embracing a broader media ecological framework and addressing current social issues and challenges, activist media literacy education can help individuals develop the critical skills they need to navigate the media landscape and become active agents of social change. It is a valuable tool for educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in promoting media literacy and social justice in our increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032190860