On June 30, 2023, the United States Supreme Court released its ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. The court ruled that Colorado-based web designer and graphic artist Lorie Smith could lawfully refuse to create websites for same-sex “weddings.” This ruling, centered around the oscillating and amorphous idea of “expressive speech,” involves many concepts and … [Read more...] about Expressive Speech: Ruminations on 303 Creative LLC
Media Literacy
Empowering Minds: How Young People are Participating in Media Literacy Education in Algeria
“We watch TV on our phone" - a seemingly innocuous statement that encapsulates the ever-changing landscape of media consumption in the modern age. Gone are the days when the living room television was the sole gateway to the world of visual and moving content. While this technological revolution has undeniably expanded our access to information, it has also exposed us to a … [Read more...] about Empowering Minds: How Young People are Participating in Media Literacy Education in Algeria
Media Literacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Increasingly, information that shapes our understanding of the world is being generated and distributed by Artificial Intelligence (AI), an anonymous, technologically based neural network machine learning model that employs ChatGPT to assimilate content. ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI, based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) … [Read more...] about Media Literacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
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
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
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
Delete that App: TikTok and Mental Health
Have you ever been scrolling on TikTok and found yourself lost in your phone, not remembering how long you’ve spent sitting looking at your screen? If you have, you are certainly not alone. The newly cemented app, TikTok, is a streaming and video content app that has over 30 million active users. 60% of these users consist of Gen Z young adults. These young adults are … [Read more...] about Delete that App: TikTok and Mental Health
Prioritizing You: Understanding the Influence of Social Media
Let's be honest... If you're reading this right now and you have a social media account, you probably spend more than an hour a day scrolling. But do not worry, you're not alone. I do it too as do 80% of Americans, according to DataReportal. The average use of social media in America is 2.5 hours (Dixon). That being said, the real questions we should be asking ourselves are how … [Read more...] about Prioritizing You: Understanding the Influence of Social Media
Habits of Inquiry and Skills of Expression Needed to be Critical Thinkers
Abstract There is a consensus in the literature that the purpose of education, specifically media literacy education is to provide people with the habits of inquiry and skills of expression they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and active citizens in the world. For a long time already, we have been searching for the best ways to promote critical … [Read more...] about Habits of Inquiry and Skills of Expression Needed to be Critical Thinkers
Using Design Fiction to Develop Pupils’ Critical Inquiry Competence
Abstract This article presents a critical inquiry method based on the practice of design fiction. Design fiction is a speculative design practice that consists in imagining and prototyping fictional technologies. The critical inquiry method takes the form of an educational program divided into several stages of design, analysis and discussion. Based on inquiry-based learning … [Read more...] about Using Design Fiction to Develop Pupils’ Critical Inquiry Competence
Media Literacy, Absence, Invisibility and Criticality
Abstract What makes media literacy a practice of critical thinking? This structural question is at the root of this paper. The need for media literacy to go beyond classrooms and address the immediacy of community needs is urgent. As awareness of the failings of media texts diffuses through our media prosumer societies, there are still no clear answers to what media illiteracy … [Read more...] about Media Literacy, Absence, Invisibility and Criticality
A Media Literacy Case in Peru: Reflections on a 10-year journey
Abstract This paper compares media literacy understanding through 2009 post-test results to 2019 comparison post-test at three schools in Lima. These post-test studies were sponsored by Medios Claros, a Civil Association in Lima devoted to advancing media literacy; administered and analyzed by researchers at the University of Lima; with media literacy training for … [Read more...] about A Media Literacy Case in Peru: Reflections on a 10-year journey
Reading the World: Journalism, Communication, and I
Abstract Scholars and journalists have long hoped that media education could positively tackle the information challenge and enhance social goals such as political and civic engagement particularly among youngsters. This paper seeks to present the way the “Academy for Reading the World: Journalism, Communication and I” promotes an interdisciplinary approach to media literacy … [Read more...] about Reading the World: Journalism, Communication, and I
Media Literacy & Ideology
Abstract Media literacy education is operating in an increasingly politicized environment, which threatens to jeopardize efforts to incorporate this discipline into school curricula. Media literacy scholars understand that proactively shaping media messages is an effective strategy for withstanding attacks by detractors. Within this context, this call to action urges … [Read more...] about Media Literacy & Ideology
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
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
The Ecology of Algorithmic Literacy: Extending Practices Beyond Representational Media Literacy
Abstract The significant effect of algorithms on media consumption requires new literacy practices that extend beyond representational media literacy. In this case study, I evaluate traditional media and information literacy instruction in a library setting and argue for the inclusion of algorithmic literacy, which is an essential and foundational skill for source … [Read more...] about The Ecology of Algorithmic Literacy: Extending Practices Beyond Representational Media Literacy
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 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
