Media Literacy, Education, and the Effects There Of

Disclaimer: This is an introduction to a 15 page research paper I'm working on in school. I wrote it in about 50 minutes for my midterm and am happy how it turned out but more importantly this gives me an opportunity to share what I've learned about my topic so far and to receive special input from any of you out there in the waves of the internet. Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions and even criticism as this paper is very important for my research.

Respectfully,

~The Renaissance--Man

     The information age—where technology reins—presents for both old and new generations communicating and educational opportunities that will take their knowledge of the universe higher than ever before. However, some communities and individuals may be left behind in the quake of technological advancement.

     Studies are showing an impact of electronic forms of communication and curriculum in both business and education worlds. Students from pre-k to college find a positive outlook in their new “experience” learning as what once was merely textbook and theory is now physical and sensational. The world, one continent, county, community, and each common man at a time will soon be connected in a dynamic network of commerce and social interaction—it is the comprehension and education on how to use such revolutionary trends that will take them forward.

     The electronic age has been upon us for some time and only continues to pursue forward without fail; yet, the way communication is developed, coded and decoded, is constantly changing. It is up to educational boards and businesses alike to stay on top and issuer both current and future societies will be able to advance with the changing times.

     A study in the Netherlands explores the possibilities of text in electronic form. For centuries books and written forms of communication have been a primary method for sharing and exploring new ideas. Although the written word may never die, the way it is presented will always continue to progress and change. The study investigated the use of electronic books and whether children from the ages of six months to six years of age where able to still understand story and character development in both traditional and electronic books as they were read allowed by adult participants. As traditional bound books featured physical turning pages, the electronic versions featured animated illustrations and interactivity. Both methods were both equally understood by said children yet some of the responses and effects varied.

     One aspect from the electronic books is that children were able to “interact” with the stories creating a more hands on experience. Children with traditional bound books were left with standard illustrations, yet both groups showed the same amount of interest and comprehension of the stories. A final factor is the ability of the children to recreate the stories and to visualize them with only standard text as their imaginations develop.

     Interactive media has been a fast growing trend in society and schools showing impressive results as one study done in Tokyo reveals that “experience” learning is a method students enjoy most. Having hands-on study and homework assignments has increased student participation and readiness in real world environment.

     Another study researches the interpretation of such media and that used not only in educational environments but also those on television and advertisements. Currently, some schools are developing curriculum in “media literacy” allowing students and opportunity to better interpret the process messages within each program they observed. Two high school groups in one study were assigned to undergo a series of exercises where they needed to identify certain elements in written, audible, and visual forms where one group was given no specific instructions and the other a new experimental curriculum. Both groups showed varied results showing a contrast between what students needed to know about media and what they already knew.

     Technological skills and the ability to properly interpret media is shaping most society where a job, an education, or even citizenship will rely on an individual’s ability to use and understand new forms of communication. For now society and technology continue to push forward, yet if uneducated or underdeveloped, some may be left in the dark.




"My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer."