New Media Literacies in the Classroom Essay - 1532 Words

When the word was first used, ‘literacy’ had a very traditional meaning: the ability to read and write (â€Å"Literacy,† 2011). Being literate was the norm, it was required for all and it distinguished race and class. However, as times change and culture emerges and grows, people acquire new knowledge, such as technology, that can very well be identified as literacy, or media literacy. As technology leads the 21st century, students are now expected to excel and master media literacy as well textual literacy (Jenkins, Clinton, Purushotma, Robison Weigel, 2006). This is because the meaning of the word ‘literacy’ evolves into â€Å"the set of abilities and skills where aural, visual, and digital literacy overlap† (New Media Consortium as cited in†¦show more content†¦Because technology is advancing everyday, teachers, administrators and parents should ascribe great value, money, time and/or effort to ensure that students are prepared to face the world with as much media literacy skills as possible to be full participants in society (Jenkins et al., 2006). To do this, educators and leaders must insure that there are countless resources to teach new media literacy, whether in school, after-school programs or even at home. Teachers, parents, and after-school caregivers all have a responsibility and a role to educate students and nurture their new media skills (Jenkins et al., 2006). Literature Review Why should educators consider adding new media literacies to curriculums? The answer is simple: new media literacies or skills emphasize social and communication skills (Jenkins et al., 2006). This new culture requires that students or participants in general be prepared and equipped as full participants having the social skills required to contribute and they must be culturally competent (Jenkins et al., 2006). In addition, participating in online communities, such as social network sites, intensifies or enhances certain properties not represented in face-to-face communications, such as â€Å"persistence, searchability, exact copyability and invisible audiences† (Boyd, 2008, pg. 2). Although these properties can change social dynamics, they give students an outlet for their creativity andShow MoreRelatedMedia Literacy Is Not Just Important1401 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Media literacy is not just important, it’s absolutely critical. 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