Being a SPED teacher, I believe that media literacy is an important aspect of my students lives. Students are so easily influenced by some form of media because of their lack of skills to interpret or analyze the information being presented. The video (Media Smarts) conveys that "the average American young person spends more than 6 1/2 hours around some sort of screen each day. Surfing the Web, watching T.V, or playing games." I believe that this is also true for our kids today. Media surrounds our generation today, whether it is through the computer, games, movies or the television.
When we focus so much on the written form as a means of learning, we only present one form of expression or learning. Our students become accustomed to one form of learning that when presented with a different form they become passive or non responsive in terms of communication, critical thinking, or expression. Different forms of learning should be incorporated within a classroom. By doing this we give our students the opportunity to become a well rounded learner and an active participant in their everyday lives.
When we incorporate media-literacy skills in our students learning, they themselves are reinforcing what was learned. Students become equipped to think critically and are able to express themselves through the media that is around them everyday. They are reinforcing these aspects when he/she goes home. He/she practices the skills taught through their computers, televisions, DVDs, or games. They are actively using the skills when they are out of the classroom and this is what every teacher wants to install into their students. "Learn, Practice, and Use!"
