My professor wrote a fabulous article, Scrutinizing the Cybersell, that put Media Literacy into perspective. Everyone should read it. After reading the article, I feel enlightened on where Dr. Crovitz is coming from (pardon ending in preposition). I wasn’t looking forward to reading the article, considering the mound of homework I have stacked on my kitchen table. However, after reading it, I see the importance of utilizing how students are already being marketed as a way to teach literacy. It makes good sense. It reminds me of the saying, “If Mohammad won’t come to the mountain, the mountain will go to Mohammad.” We have to meet students on their turf, where they feel comfortable and have a knowledge base. Scaffolding. They KNOW the Internet. They KNOW fast-food and the cool web-sites. Meet them on their ground and teach from there.
One part of the article that really struck me was on the second page. Dr. Crovitz wrote that “young people are skeptical of adults who attempt to use ‘hip’ language”. By marketing our students through the Internet, advertisers, promoters, and marketers get a free pass into our students lives, and the students aren’t even aware they are being manipulated. I get the concept finally of why this class is so important. It’s not just about bringing technology into the classroom and teaching through blogs and wikis, but it’s also about the dangers and ruthlessness of the advertisers that have our students in the crosshairs. Teaching them media literacy gets us all on common ground, empowers them against being a means to end, and teaches critical thinking. It’s a win win for everyone.
