Robert Helán Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic C:\Users\stepanek\Desktop\Obrázek1.png Media Literacy and Media Messages: Learning to Think Critically REVISION 1.What is media literacy? 2.What are some of the issues that media literacy deals with at present? What is media literacy? “ability/skill to search for, analyze, compare, objectively and critically evaluate, and pass on information and messages from media.” IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION? What is media literacy? “ability/skill to search for, analyze, compare, objectively and critically evaluate, and pass on information and messages from media.” “… also create media content such as articles, presentations, posters, abstracts… (the ability to target a specific group of people)” What are some of the issues that media literacy deals with at present? The main issues of media literacy: -uncritical acceptance of facts/ideas/opinions from media – “if it was published in the newspapers, it must be true” -interpretation of media content as only “right” or “wrong” instead of being open to multiple interpretations -citizens in the role of passive object, manipulated consumer or voter -cyberbullying in the social networks (media literacy changes as the technology changes) Describe a media literate person. A media literate person (Niklesova, 2010): -can distinguish important information from unimportant -can recognize hidden meanings, manipulative techniques, inaccurate or incomplete information -can differentiate a true text or statement from a fabrication or subjective claim, unsupported by facts -can clearly formulate ideas and record them Media in language education ARE -a source of authentic language – text, audio, video SHOULD ALSO -be a tool for teaching students how to interpret the various layers of meaning in a media message -develop awareness of mediated (= partially constructed by media) representations of people, places, things, ideas, values as opposed to the reality -help students think critically. Media literacy in language education The focus is on: -media representation of communities, societies, cultures -spreading specific attitudes and values -influence of media on the audiences’ opinions, attitudes, and behavior -intercultural education Framework for analyzing media content (Hobbs, 2011) 11 Types of media messages MANIFEST: their function is obvious/clear from the context Types of media messages LATENT: they are hidden and therefore tend to be difficult to notice/identify Types of media messages CUMULATIVE: frequently repeated, they create new shades of meaning over a certain period of time, they tend to strengthen stereotypes What are the manifest, latent and cumulative functions of the following media message? 16 Science. It’s a girl thing. •manifest: campaign popularizing science among girls • •latent: success in science depends on looks • •cumulative: strengthening gender stereotypes Denotation and connotation •DENOTATION – refers to the literal meaning of a sign. It is the dictionary definition of a word – e.g., snake – “any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles”. •CONNOTATION – refers to the associations that are connected to a certain sign such as emotional suggestions related to a word. The connotative meanings of a word exist together with the denotative meanings. E.g., the connotations for snake might include danger or evil. • § 484ec51c020002rh DENOTATION: Blonde Hair CONNOTES: Ideal Woman, Innocence, Looks ‘gold’ DENOTATION : Perfume Bottle CONNOTES : Looks Jewel-like, Buried Treasure DENOTATION : Colour Gold CONNOTES : Luxury, Riches, Expense, Success, Shimmering DENOTATION : Jewellery CONNOTES : Extravagance, Excess, Glamour, Decadence DENOTATION : Word ‘Love’ CONNOTES : Passion, Excitement, Lust DENOTATION : Font CONNOTES : Dior Logo, Brand Name, Designer The red flags of health fraud http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/01/20/30539712_custom-4ae4a83b35bee1912fb40d5689e6bdf78303c678 -s6-c30.jpg The red flags of health fraud http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jeffbercovici/files/2012/08/dr.-oz-weight-loss-pills.jpg The red flags of health fraud •fast results and no restrictions on diet, exercise, or lifestyle •easy fixes to obesity or impotence •promises to cure untreatable diseases •expressions connoting mystery, such as hidden ingredients •the use of all natural therefore safe •testimonies from unknown physicians alias actors •product endorsement by sportsmen •the before/after comparison (adjusted with Photoshop) •sense of urgency: limited availability, act now •no-risk guarantee with money back • EVIDENCE-BASED SOURCES OF INFORMATION § §ProCon.org website: http://www.procon.org § §addresses selected controversial topics by listing pro- and con-arguments § §is based on unbiased and objective sources of scientific information § §thus debunks some of the common myths related to the topic Obesity ProCon.org 2013-11-14 02-20-29.jpeg Obesity ProCon.org 2013-11-14 02-20-29.jpeg CONCLUSION §Media literacy: § §valuable enhancement of critical thinking skills - §reading, writing, speaking (presentation and discussion) skills - §successful language learners are media literate - §media representation of groups of people, communities, nations, and races as opposed to the reality - § § SOURCES §ANDING, R. H. Nutrition Made Clear. The Teaching Company, 2009. §HOBBS, R. Digital and Media Literacy. Connecting Culture and Classroom. London: Sage Ltd., 2011. §LUHMANN, N. The Reality of the Mass Media. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2000. §QUINLISK, C. C. Media Literacy in the ESL/EFL Classroom: Reading Images and Cultural Stories. In: Tesol Journal. 2003. §SILVERBLATT, A. Genre Studies in Mass Media. A Handbook. New York and London: M. E. Sharpe, 2007. §Pros and Cons of Controversial Issues [online]. ProCon.org, Santa Monica [accessed 2014-08-20]. Available from WWW: § §