Watch it on Academic Earth
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Media Literacy
Media literacy is defined as, "The audience members' understanding of the media industry's operation, the messages delivered by the media, the roles media play in society, and how audience members respond to these media and their messages."
I believe that media literacy involves two things: a broad knowledge of various forms of mass media, and not only that, but an understanding of how the media works. As a group, we thought it would be interesting to see how media literate BYU-Idaho students are.
We asked some students how much time they spent in media, what forms of mass media they used, etc. Being media literate is important because as Elder Ballard and other church leaders have taught, being media literate allows us to use our talents to more effectively spread and teach the gospel. Elder Ballard said, “We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches.” He continues, "From its beginnings, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has used the power of the printed word to spread the message of the restored gospel throughout the world. The Lord, over the centuries, has had a hand in inspiring people to invent tools that facilitate the spreading of the gospel. The Church has adopted and embraced those tools, including print, broadcast media, and the Internet."
As BYU-Idaho students, and church members in general, become more media literate, we will be able to use these tools to more effectively spread the gospel and gather the elect. This is the whole purpose why we have these tools of mass media in our world. It is no coincidence that these advancements in technology started accelerating from 1820 (First Vision) onwards. We are meant to use these gifts to bless God's children by bringing them to Christ.
Let's fight against media illiteracy!
I believe that media literacy involves two things: a broad knowledge of various forms of mass media, and not only that, but an understanding of how the media works. As a group, we thought it would be interesting to see how media literate BYU-Idaho students are.
We asked some students how much time they spent in media, what forms of mass media they used, etc. Being media literate is important because as Elder Ballard and other church leaders have taught, being media literate allows us to use our talents to more effectively spread and teach the gospel. Elder Ballard said, “We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches.” He continues, "From its beginnings, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has used the power of the printed word to spread the message of the restored gospel throughout the world. The Lord, over the centuries, has had a hand in inspiring people to invent tools that facilitate the spreading of the gospel. The Church has adopted and embraced those tools, including print, broadcast media, and the Internet."
As BYU-Idaho students, and church members in general, become more media literate, we will be able to use these tools to more effectively spread the gospel and gather the elect. This is the whole purpose why we have these tools of mass media in our world. It is no coincidence that these advancements in technology started accelerating from 1820 (First Vision) onwards. We are meant to use these gifts to bless God's children by bringing them to Christ.
Let's fight against media illiteracy!
A Tribute
This battle against Media Illiteracy we wage not alone. Here, today, we pay tribute to those who have gone before.
Well okay, I confess. Here's a video someone did for a communication class on mass media on media illiteracy a couple months ago.
We salute you fellow warriors!
Well okay, I confess. Here's a video someone did for a communication class on mass media on media illiteracy a couple months ago.
We salute you fellow warriors!
What type of media do you use?
We put this video together as part of our efforts to fight media illiteracy. Let us know what you think.
Media Literacy and the Gospel
In D&C 88, the Lord issues a commandment:
"Teach ye dilligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
"Of things both in heaven and in the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgements which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms--
"That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling where unto I have called you . . . (v. 78-80)
Now, try to imagine trying to fulfill this mandate without mass media. Can you do it? Mass media extends our ability to survey the world around us. It all comes together to help us learn of things which have been, things which are and things which will shortly come to pass.
And why? So we can be prepared to magnify our calling. The very talk that sparked this project, Elder Ballard's BYU-Hawaii address calls for Latter-day Saints who know how to use media to use it to magnify their calling.
Being media literate isn't a temporal hobby at all. It is an opportunity to understand the world around us, to reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters, to gain wisdom and knowledge, to magnify our callings and fulfill the commandments of the Lord.
"Teach ye dilligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
"Of things both in heaven and in the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgements which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms--
"That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling where unto I have called you . . . (v. 78-80)
Now, try to imagine trying to fulfill this mandate without mass media. Can you do it? Mass media extends our ability to survey the world around us. It all comes together to help us learn of things which have been, things which are and things which will shortly come to pass.
And why? So we can be prepared to magnify our calling. The very talk that sparked this project, Elder Ballard's BYU-Hawaii address calls for Latter-day Saints who know how to use media to use it to magnify their calling.
Being media literate isn't a temporal hobby at all. It is an opportunity to understand the world around us, to reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters, to gain wisdom and knowledge, to magnify our callings and fulfill the commandments of the Lord.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Companies promoting media literacy
I recently read a little blurb about Virgin Media that I found interesting. Virgin media in 2008 launched a program to get the Internet into disadvantaged and lower income areas. Virgin has joined forces with Digital Unite, a company that focused mainly on the elderly.
They go into these areas and bringing computers, setting up the Internet, and training the elderly how to use the Internet. They spend 7 weeks teaching them how to use it. One resident said, “I can't say I don't know how to switch it on anymore, but I can now say I'm hooked! I think it's wonderful that we older people have the opportunity to acquire computer skills”
I think its wonderful when major media companies take responsibility and try to better connect and educate people on media usage and literacy.
On the same web site I read another story about how an UK media company named Yell is trying to educate people on safe investment practices.
We all still need to look at the motivations behind companies, why they are promoting the thing they do, and why.
The link to the articles I had found.
http://howmediaismade.com/articles.php
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