The Taos News - Back to School
Media savvy citizens
Group prepares students for life in the digital age
The digital age is an exciting time. Technology affords us access to knowledge and information at our fingertips. The ability to participate as a prosumer (consumer and producer) of media communications starts at an early age, as early as a child can press “like,” and “send,” use a device, play online video games or comment on social media.
The very definition of media is redefined in the 21st century to encompass any communication via a medium such as a computer, phone, print, audio and so forth. Social media, visual communication (photos, memes, flyers, etc.), coding, artificial intelligence, podcasts, algorithms, infographics, maps, music, videos, slideshows, blogs, video games, websites and more are media. In the age of fake or misleading information, there is knowledge and skills we should know to navigate and participate in the digital age. Asking questions and critical thinking about media communications has never been as important to understand and make connections in today’s society. Making media communications requires skills in first understanding and then creating.
Starting at an early age, students will need to master certain competencies in every grade so that by the time they graduate they are ready for the information and knowledge economy.
It is the duty of schools and parents to work together to ensure that students are equipped for safe, ethical and effective participation with media and technology. Schools will be graduating media-fluent students who can live and work in a networked and changing world.
Media fluency is the ability to read, write, speak and make meaning in the “language” of media. Media-fluent individuals are media-literate and have the ability to engage critically with media; make connections between ideas, people and process; and produce traditional and new media to communicate in today’s society.
Starting at an early age, students will need to master certain competencies in every grade so that by the time they graduate they are ready for the information and knowledge economy. We are manufacturing knowledge more than goods as we move into the future.
Media Savvy Citizens, an entity serving New Mexico learning communities, is committed to developing critical thinking and media-fluent students and educators. MSC facilitates understanding, positive participation and meaningful media interaction for New Mexico learners. Utilizing media and technology, participants are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas, develop thoughtful responses and take an active role in consuming and analyzing media, media culture and its role in society.
During the 2019-2020 school year, Media Savvy Citizens will be conducting workshops, training and coaching educators, learning organizations and communities to become future-ready and media fluent. They will also be in middle schools embedding digital and media literacy into core content, such as English language arts and social studies classes across New Mexico in collaboration with New Mexico State University’s College of Education and Learning Design and Technology Program. It can be found online at mediasavvycitizens.com.