Literacy has always referred to the ability
to read and write, but that definition has changed immensely since the
development of technology in the 21st century. Media literacy is
taking the basic definition one step further, as it includes the ability to access,
analyze, evaluate, and create media. This new media literacy has become a
crutch for many older people in the world because they are immigrants to the
new and improved definition of media literacy. These individuals are considered
to be ‘Digital Immigrants’ because
they did not have the opportunity to grow up with such complex technology. The
younger generation is called ‘Digital
Natives’ as they have grown up with this technology since day one (Prenksy,
2001, p. 1&2). Digital natives have the responsibility to teach the digital
immigrants about this new media literacy in order for them to become successful
in this age and time. Media literacy is more then just introducing technology
into the ability to read and write; it is an effective and engaging way to
apply critical thinking skills to a wide range of issues.
New media literacy involves all the new
media skills discussed in my previous blog posts. These skills are ones that
the digital immigrants need to learn and excel in, as it is a new and improved
way of living. If digital natives teach the immigrants how to use these skills
successfully, everyone will be able to use the Internet to the best of their
abilities and to its full extent. The Media Literacy Project provides a list of
the ways this new media literacy and skills can help the digital immigrants and
natives with technology. The list is as follows:
· - “Develop critical thinking
skills
· - Understand how media messages
shape our culture and society
· - Identify target marketing
strategies
· - Recognize bias, spin,
misinformation, and lies
· - Evaluate media messages based
on our own experiences, skills, beliefs, and values” (Media
Literacy Project, n.d.)
I believe the digital divide between the
two generations is slowly becoming smaller due to the constant effect new media
literacy has on people’s lives. For example, I have grown up using technology
so it is first nature to me, but for my mother it is slightly more difficult
for her to understand how to use these new systems. As the years go by and I try
to teach her new media skills, she is starting to understand how to use
different medias and technology, diminishing the divide between our two
generations.
The following image is a description of how
the two generations think differently and how new media literacy plays a role
in the divide.
References
Media Literacy Project. (n.d.) What
is media literacy. Retrieved from https://medialiteracyproject.org/learn/media-literacy/
Prensky, M. (2001).
Digital natives, digital immigrants. On
the horizon: NCB university press, 9(5). Retrieved from
http://bit.ly/IMBu0j
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