This handbook guides students through concepts, content, and exercises that help them develop media literacy by understanding media and power. The authors want students to not only gain the ability to critically analyze the languages and discourses – textual, visual, audio, and code – that people use to create and interpret media content, but also to understand the overarching context: media possess immense power in contemporary societies around the world. The current version is a preview of some chapters. Remaining chapters are forthcoming in 2025.
Type of Material:
Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:
Use each module as one class session, including reading materials and doing activities as homework.
Technical Requirements:
works in Windows browsers
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Identify composition rules and practices for effective visual messaging.
Articulate semiotic principles – the meaning behind media messages.
Describe ideological positions articulated through the media system.
Explain the current and historical media representations of gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality.
Explain the methods behind responsible journalism.Explain the relationship between journalism and democracy, as well as the main models for speech and journalism (models of expression) in the world today.
Identify fake news and the truth behind media messages.
Target Student Population:
College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Library and Communication Majors and Professionals
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
basic ICT literacy
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Academicians wrote this handbook, so the information is authoritative and well-constructed. The information is current and relevant. Concepts are discussed from different angles and include many examples and activitues. The content, media, is broadly addressed in this self-contained work, so it can be used in several situations flexibly. Links work and are appropriately attributed.
Concerns:
This is not a complete work
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The learning objectives reflect central ICT literacy standards. The modules are progressive, building on one another, making learning efficient. The activities lend themselves easily to assignments. The material applies across academic disciplines and is practical for daily life.
Concerns:
no concerns
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The modules provide clear and engaging information, which is also visually appealing. The content is very interactive, and can be navigated independently - with some attention; little technical skill is needed. Users can contact the authors if needed. Most material is ADA-compliant.
Concerns:
Does require some navigation back and forth through chapters.
Some videos are not ADA-compliant.
Creative Commons:
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