Unit 4: Are you Media Literate?

Media literacy is defined as “the practices that allow people to access, critically evaluate, and create or manipulate media.” By learning about media literacy you can gain the ability to analyze, evaluate, and manipulate how you use and learn from media today. Media literacy is inclusive to a variety of sources of media and communication such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Radio, and Television. I didn’t realize how much of my life really revolved around the media. Awareness of your own media influence as well as your own media output can allow you to have insight on how the media effects our world today. Personally, from this class already I have taken a step back and really looked at how and why I use social media. Sometimes I use it for personal reason like keeping in touch with friends and family. Other times I’m looking for opportunities professionally like Nursing charity walks or job searching. I think that realizing the thought that goes into some media outlets to really maximize their goals whether that be money or more followers is really eye opening. I think that becoming media literate means you know the power that media has on our society and almost every person around you. Although you might not be on social media for the same reason as the person next to you, you are still both using media. Recognition of the technique that media uses is another thing that I think a media literate person really has a good grasp on. For example, asking yourself what message is this media post sending? Why am I seeing this media post? Questions like this can help you analyze, evaluate, and manipulate the media to your own advantage.