**Reprinted with author's permission** For further writing on media education and related issues, see David Buckingham's website: www.davidbuckingham.net What are the implications of artificial intelligence for media educators, and for the media themselves? Last weekend, a letter by a group of British headteachers was published in … [Read more...] about Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Media Education Approach
Blogs
The Concerns of Artificial Intelligence
The history of visual media has demonstrated that the truth does not lie in a plain image. A picture speaks louder than words; it can also tell lies. Artificial intelligence is increasingly illustrating disinformation. As technology has made advancements, it has been harder than ever to distinguish between photos depicting the truth and photos intended to distribute … [Read more...] about The Concerns of Artificial Intelligence
Is AI ready to takeover?
"I haven't written anything for myself this semester, and I still have A’s in all my classes,” said an anonymous college student. How could this be possible? It is all due to a new AI technology– ChatGPT. ChatGPT is an intelligent chatbot that employs AI technology. It has the ability to generate basically anything prompted a command. It can do things such as write essays … [Read more...] about Is AI ready to takeover?
Is Artificial Intelligence Becoming Too Intelligent?
Artificial Intelligence, more simply known as AI, has been an increasingly popular topic in the media. By definition, AI is “the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.” AI exhibits qualities of incredible understanding and cognitive skills. Due to the technology’s impeccable knowledge, the use of AI is becoming more common in recent … [Read more...] about Is Artificial Intelligence Becoming Too Intelligent?
Snapchat’s “My AI”
In February of 2023, Snapchat released the new artificial intelligence powered chat box “My AI” to subscribers of Snapchat Plus. The feedback has been nothing but negative. The chat box, powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT feature, functions to offer up appropriate answers to any question that a user asks. According to Snapchat’s CEO, Evan Spiegel, the chat box intends to … [Read more...] about Snapchat’s “My AI”
Distracted: Texting While Walking
Walking and texting is something you’re probably guilty of. It’s not hard to visualize– you’re walking down the street when your phone vibrates and immediately you become sucked into whatever notification you received while still walking. You're distracted. The next time you look up you’ve probably veered to the opposite side of the sidewalk without noticing. We do it all … [Read more...] about Distracted: Texting While Walking
Are Reporters Using Opinionated Views in the Media Too Often?
All forms of media, including print, broadcast, and social, have grown significantly in the last couple of decades. With new technology, it has made it easier to spread information to large groups of people around the world. As much of a positive as it is, it also brings along some negatives. Some people take advantage of it to spread opinionated views or false … [Read more...] about Are Reporters Using Opinionated Views in the Media Too Often?
The 2016 US Election and Yellow Journalism
While a variety of very significant problems have plagued America since its establishment as an independent nation in 1776, one issue that traces back to the country’s beginning, yet also remains relevant in current times, is the creation and spread of inaccurate information. Though today’s culture typically characterizes this issue as fake news, it is first important to … [Read more...] about The 2016 US Election and Yellow Journalism
Kids and Kracauer: Screens in Classrooms
For the past year, I have been working as a pre-K educator at a public community school. Working with four- and five- year-old children has been an enlightening experience. It has been a lesson in patience, a test of endurance, and a reminder of all the love and affirmation kids offer. As I teach my class the foundations of literacy, I have frequently been reflecting on media … [Read more...] about Kids and Kracauer: Screens in Classrooms
If It Bleeds, It Leads: Crime Reporting
Picture this: It’s 5 o’clock on a Tuesday night. You just got home from work and you turn on the news, local or national. On the screen, you see police tape, mugshots, crying victims, and maybe some blood on the pavement. You might feel shocked at what you are seeing; the crime reporting might concern you. Now imagine scenes like that are on every night. Crime … [Read more...] about If It Bleeds, It Leads: Crime Reporting
Media Education Summit 2023 Highlights
Neil Andersen’s Media Education Summit 2023 Highlights This was a very politicized gathering of people who are working hard to be woke. The conference theme derived from the work of Media Ecology Professor Antonio Lopez, who has been a long-time advocate for ecological thinking. The ecological/educological notion was woven through most of the conference activities. There … [Read more...] about Media Education Summit 2023 Highlights
Is Hacking Inevitable?
Media has advanced so much throughout the years, and it continues to advance. It is without a doubt that media makes people's lives easier and more entertaining. The benefits that the media has managed to provide for us are amazing. It helps inform us, entertain us, provide jobs for people. While media has given us all of these fantastic positives in our life, a lot of the … [Read more...] about Is Hacking Inevitable?
Data: Who Owns Your Information?
In today’s world of technology, many things can become a media literacy concern. One major issue is data security. Are you aware that websites are tracking your every move? When browsing the web, the popup of “allow cookies?” shows up on nearly every website. However, many people don’t know what that means. More often than not, people just click “allow” … [Read more...] about Data: Who Owns Your Information?
Body Image in the Age of Social Media
In today's day and age, we are all very aware of media concerns regarding all types of topics. The one that truly stands out to all ages is a person's body image on social media. Images of women are everywhere because of celebrities and influencers. Popular film and television actresses are becoming younger, taller and thinner. Women’s magazines are full of articles urging that … [Read more...] about Body Image in the Age of Social Media
Algorithms: Everyone’s an Influencer
With the growth of TikTok and other social media platforms, just about anyone can blow up on the internet. The rise to fame can happen instantaneously; we have seen this recently with influencers such as Charli D’Amelio and Alix Earle. These everyday people grew into internet superstars after their TikTok videos went viral. Playing the algorithm makes it so easy to rise to … [Read more...] about Algorithms: Everyone’s an Influencer
Youth and Anxiety: Captivated by Social Media
Society today revolves around social media. Whether it is to read the news, keep up with friends, or watch videos as a pastime, it is difficult to go a day without using social media. Social media can be very damaging to one's mental health and anxiety. While social media is a great asset, some people do not always use it in a positive way. No matter someone's age, they … [Read more...] about Youth and Anxiety: Captivated by Social Media
Media Literacy Education Refutes Stereotypes
Historically, the media has been guilty of perpetuating various stereotypes through the images in newspapers, television, and movies. Television in the late 20th century most commonly depicted Black individuals as athletes or, more destructively, criminals. During the same period, very few women were in roles reflecting them as individuals in power or heroic roles. … [Read more...] about Media Literacy Education Refutes Stereotypes
Russia, Censorship, and Surveillance
In this world today, media influences almost every aspect of our lives. What started as a form of mass communication to spread information to the public has turned into something much more influential, and at times, corrupt. The advancements in technology over the decades have provided us with faster and more efficient ways of communication. However, these innovations can have … [Read more...] about Russia, Censorship, and Surveillance
Elon Musk Purchases Twitter
On October 28 of 2022, Elon Musk officially purchased Twitter. With all of the built up anticipation, soon after came confusion. Immediately, Twitter saw new problems. Misinformation flooded the site, and hate speech plagued Musk’s new reputation as Twitter’s new owner. According to Darrell Etherington of techcrunch.com, “he fired CEO Parag Agrawal, CFO Ned Segal, General … [Read more...] about Elon Musk Purchases Twitter
Growing Up with the Internet
The internet is one of the most powerful and influential forces today, affecting nearly every aspect of our lives. Almost everything, in some way or another, connects to the internet and the media, and because of this, many positives and negatives come out of them. One of these subjects is how the media and the internet generally affect kids and teenagers. In today's age, … [Read more...] about Growing Up with the Internet