An original version of this article was published in MxMIndia, a media news and opinion portal from Mumbai, India. My big takeaway from 2022 is that social media and pandemic have launched a joint and effective assault on classroom learning. When I look at some social media content from younger folks, I see so much creativity and social awareness, sensitivity and … [Read more...] about Machine Learning, But Are Classes Learning?
Blogs
Cover Art: A Human Algorithmic Collaboration
The title of a given artwork can be particularly revealing. It can reveal the work’s medium, divulge the art’s epoch, or even give insight into the artist’s inspirations. The title of the cover image for the Journal of Media Literacy’s “Human Algorithmic Question” issue is likewise telling. At first glance, “Art by MidJourney with prompting and curation by Scott Werner and Safa … [Read more...] about Cover Art: A Human Algorithmic Collaboration
IREX Community Solution International Intern Comes to IC4ML
IC4ML is excited to welcome Safa Sadeddine, an IREX Community Solutions Program Fellow from Algeria to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a 4-month internship from August through November. She brings with her an incredible skill set as a social media content creator and a media literacy educator in her home country. Through her collaboration with our board members and other interns, we … [Read more...] about IREX Community Solution International Intern Comes to IC4ML
MídiaBox: Media Literacy as Edutainment
It is common to think of lifelong learning as the processes of education structured in curricula - as a continuation of academic education. However, the main challenge in developing public policy on lifelong learning is to think about how it is possible to develop unstructured learning opportunities. How do we learn through entertainment, for example? It is in the field of … [Read more...] about MídiaBox: Media Literacy as Edutainment
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is a Fantasy Fiction novel by author V.E. Schwab published on October 6, 2020. The story follows a young girl by the name of Addie LaRue who lives in 1714 France, as she is about to be married off to a man she does not know. In a moment of utter desperation, she prays for more time. Unfortunately, the god she has prayed to answers her plea, … [Read more...] about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Logged in and Stressed Out: How Social Media is Affecting Your Mental Health and What You Can Do About It by Paula Durlofsky
We live in a prominent digital era where technology continues to evolve. These technological advances alter social norms in which society tries to fit into. Evidentially, social media is here to stay which has a detrimental effect on mental health. After thoroughly analyzing Paula Durlofsky’s Logged in and Stressed Out: How Social Media is Affecting Your Mental Health and What … [Read more...] about Logged in and Stressed Out: How Social Media is Affecting Your Mental Health and What You Can Do About It by Paula Durlofsky
Do you suffer from Mean World Syndrome?
Permission to reprint via civicsoftechnology.org Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about technodeterminism— that is, the mindset that assumes technologies will continue to develop on their own terms, according to their own fixed logic, and society needs to adjust itself to whatever comes next. Even the stuff we don’t particularly like or that doesn’t really make us feel good… … [Read more...] about Do you suffer from Mean World Syndrome?
Looking back at Madison: Reflections on the 4th IMLRS
On June 27, 2022, I had the pleasure of welcoming Media Literacy advocates from around the world to my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. Alongside the International Council for Media Literacy (IC4ML), I helped host the fourth International Media Literacy Research Symposium (IMLRS) founded by our President and my supervisor Dr. Belinha De Abreu. At first, it seemed a … [Read more...] about Looking back at Madison: Reflections on the 4th IMLRS
Social Media Isn’t Free
I have two questions for you today. The first is: Do you know how many times you have been treated and sold like a commodity today? The answer is as many times as you have logged onto social media apps like Facebook or others that allow Facebook to collect data about you. Hard to believe, but it is true. Haven’t you ever wondered why you do not pay for apps like Facebook? It is … [Read more...] about Social Media Isn’t Free
Social Media as a Primary Vehicle for News
In our growing age of technology and increasing dependence on our devices, individuals have turned to digital news rather than broadcast or print to be informed about current events. “In these days of pandemic, protests, economic recession and angst among the world’s population a recently issued report shows that consumers continue to shift away from traditional media sources … [Read more...] about Social Media as a Primary Vehicle for News
The Parasocial Relationships of Twitch
In September of 2020, Dextero reported how popular Twitch streamer “Sweet Anita” collected the tales of multiple female streamers who found themselves facing “police inaction” at the hands of their stalkers (Glaze 2021). Anita notes how her stalker has gone as far as to move “within four minutes of where she lived” and “followed her to a shop and chased her out into the street, … [Read more...] about The Parasocial Relationships of Twitch
Internet Memes: an Element of Coping Mechanism or a Tool for Propaganda Disinformation?
In times of calamities such as pandemics or wars, humor, as acknowledged by many scientists, serves as a coping mechanism that helps to endure stress, despair, and depression. Paradoxically, jokes and satirical images proliferate during war times. Gallows humor consoled soldiers during World War I. Humor and comedy were broadcasted and published during World War II to keep … [Read more...] about Internet Memes: an Element of Coping Mechanism or a Tool for Propaganda Disinformation?
Facebook’s Metaverse, Virtual Reality, and Bertolt Brecht
On October 28, 2021, CEO and founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, first announced the corporation’s rebrand. The social media company would now be called Meta, and Meta would henceforth focus on a new platform: the metaverse. The term metaverse is an amalgam of the Greek prefix meta, meaning beyond or transcending, and -verse, short for universe (López-Díez). The metaverse … [Read more...] about Facebook’s Metaverse, Virtual Reality, and Bertolt Brecht
Social Media and the Years to Come
Social media, since it started, has taken over our lives, in some good ways and some bad. I am not really sure when exactly this era came about, but it has since taken full control of how we see ourselves as a culture, how we view others, and how we connect with one another. For instance, we aren’t really having deep conversations anymore, we mainly are building conversations … [Read more...] about Social Media and the Years to Come
Sensationalism in the Media
What is Sensationalism There are numerous definitions for sensationalism. There’s gossip, exploitation of the facts, etc. In today’s society, media sensationalism has become the norm. Journalism in particular, has become the biggest perpetrator of sensationalism. To appear more dramatic and exciting, the truth is frequently exaggerated. All in the name of increasing … [Read more...] about Sensationalism in the Media
The Influence of Social Media on Children
Social media has had a huge influence on children of all ages. There are many positives and negatives to social media. Starting with the positives, social media gives children the ability to connect with their friends and their family members as well. Social media turned into something very positive when the pandemic started. When the pandemic started, young children were able … [Read more...] about The Influence of Social Media on Children
Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, Indeed
It’s quite frustrating that in today’s overabundant television landscape in which we have an endless number of shows on an evergrowing list of streaming services, there still aren’t many programs that celebrate - or even feature - plus-sized women. According to a study from the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education, the average American woman wears … [Read more...] about Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, Indeed
The Issue of Body Image in the Media
Body image is a very sensitive subject when it comes to how it is portrayed in the media and how it affects the lives of the people who witness it. With technological advancements and so many forms of media today, it is easy for unrealistic body standards to be portrayed. You might be shocked to hear that there is correlation between time spent on social media and negative body … [Read more...] about The Issue of Body Image in the Media
Social Media and Its Effects on the Classroom
There is no denying that our social media and networks have transformed the landscape of our entire lives. It is what we live and breathe for every day. They disrupt our sleep schedules, decision-making process, and most importantly our learning and growing development. As a future teacher myself, I am beginning to see the shift in children as young as six and … [Read more...] about Social Media and Its Effects on the Classroom
The Poison that Failed
So the poison pill did not work. The $44 billion Twitter deal is done, despite skepticism among critics whether Elon Musk could raise that kind of money to make the platform a private entity. And with the takeover of 15% of Twitter comes a barrage of fears from concerns over complete private control to private monopoly issues, from the impacts of the promised decontrol over … [Read more...] about The Poison that Failed