Media Studies Blog Post

Media Studies Blog #1 -- Global Citizenship
Schools have always worked with parents to ensure that students become good citizens, at school, home and their communities. The values of being responsible, caring, kind, honest and respectful are often connected to being a good citizen. With the growing increase of technology in schools, these values of citizenship are now applied to how students use technology. Digital Citizenship is an important part of Media Literacy, as students learn to think critically, behave safely and to be responsible. The same values of being a good citizen apply to how students interact with technology, as now with the changes in social media they are global citizens.

“The situation is no longer us, the passive media consumers, versus them, the corporate and government media powers. When it comes to perpetuating harmful media messages, the enemy is often us.” (Goodman, 2014)
This quote is from Edutopia,  Social Media Literacy: The 5 Key Concepts. The article looks at how social media can persuade and influence; but more importantly, that we are no longer just consumers but have increased influence through participation. A problem has arisen in that social media can be used inappropriately and can hurt both physically and emotionally. And so there is a need to actively include Digital Citizenship in the curriculum.



In order to address the changes that social media has made and it’s huge impact, Stacey Goodman (2014) outlined 5 concepts that address issues in Media.
Key Concept #1: All Media Messages Are "Constructed"
This means that all media messages are created with an audience in mind, and are not often reflective of reality. Students need to learn how to distinguish between what is real and what someone has created to make their issue appealing.
Key Concept #2: Media Messages Shape Our Perceptions of Reality
This means that the media is how we access information about the rest of the world. In doing so,  it will also shape our perceptions of reality. Students need to develop skills that will help them tell the difference between fact and fiction.
Key Concept #3: Different Audience, Different Understanding of the Same  Message
This means that different people will have a different interpretation of the same media. This means that a person has to be careful in what they post, as it may offend others. Students need to be aware that a post can hurt someone and can have consequences, even in the future.
Key Concept #4: Media Messages Have Commercial Implications
This is important because almost all media is owned by a small number of individuals. This means that many perspectives are being left out. Students need to be aware that others are trying to sell them products or services.
Key Concept #5: Media Messages Embed Points of View
This means that we must be wary of the ideology of the person that is posting what we are viewing. Students need to be able to be critical of what they are viewing online. The key concepts that Stacey Goodman outlined are important for a teacher in planning the teaching/learning in the classroom. But more importantly it shows how important Digital Citizenship is for students. Students need to be aware how to navigate through the different social media, both at school and home, their safety is especially important.
Digital Citizenship is a step towards ensuring that students are safe while using their devices, as well as being responsible. Mike Ribble (2017) has defined The 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship as being:
  1. Digital Access:  are educators and students aware that not everyone has equal access to technology resources?
  2. Digital Commerce:  are students aware of the dangers and benefits of buying and selling online?
  3. Digital Communication:  do students understand what is appropriate to share through email, texting, video chatting and social media?
  4. Digital Literacy:  Do students know how to use various digital technologies and how to assess legitimacy of web resources?
  5. Digital Etiquette:  Do students know when to use technology appropriately and always in a positive manner?

6.                  Digital Law:  do students understand how to use and share digital content legally and how to respect content ownership by citing resources?

7.                  Digital Rights and Responsibilities: do students understand that they have a right to safe and friendly digital communications and a responsibility to report instances that threaten this?

8.                  Digital Health:  Are students aware of the physical and psychological dangers of excessive internet usage?

9.                  Digital Security:  Do students know how to stay safe by using difficult passwords, virus protection, backing up data and being aware of identity theft, phishing and other online scams?

These are quite a few things that teachers need to be aware of as they are teaching. Technology continues to make rapid changes in education, and Digital Citizenship is a way to build on the critical thinking and problem solving that is an important part of education.





Bibliography

Goodman, Stacy. (2014) Social Media Literacy: The Five Key Concepts. Retrieved from  
    https://www.edutopia.org/blog/social-media-five-key-concepts-stacey-goodman.

Ribble, Mike. (2017) Digital Citizenship: Using Technology Appropriately. Retrieved from  
    http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html


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