Media Education in Schools - Essay Example

Media Education in Schools Introduction Media education is an important way of challenging in understanding the science and logic behind media representations that helps shape their individual beliefs regarding themselves and others. In fact, ‘media’ can be defined as a form of education that includes a number of competencies that are developed in an individual to help them analyze, study and generate meaningful information in a number of modes, forms and genres (Burn, 2007, pg. 25). The importance of media can be attributed to our everyday lives that are bombarded with lots of information. As children grow, the amount of information that is offered to them and the extent to which they can utilize it also increases gradually. This information comes through a variety of sources ranging from radio and television to newspapers and increasingly the Internet. Besides becoming an integral part of our lives, these media have evolved at a rapid pace and keep us updated on a plethora of issues. In fact, media can be categorized along two broad classes: mass media and non-mass media (Hart, 1998, pg. 103). The former comprises the delivery of important messages to a large number of people through a common tool. For instance, a news bulletin on television or the declaration of an emergency reported by the president in the newspaper is reported to people through a common platform (television and newspaper) (what is the media). Likewise, the latter form of communication has gained prominence through the extensive spread of the Internet through the enhancement of person-to-person interaction using websites like facebook and twitter (importance of media). Given the volume and extent of this information that media has got to offer and an important role that this information plays in our lives, it is imperative that education on these tools and vehicles of information be imparted to children from a very early age. Further, media education from an early age will improve the professional skills of the children and enhance their understanding of concepts and theories in a much better fashion that will enhance their competencies (Giddens, 2007, pg. 604-606) (why children need media education). For example, most students who have had access to a computer can now use many tools like word documents or spreadsheet software for their coursework or maintaining personal information. Further, young students who have received media education have been found to perform better in the class owing to better clarity over concepts (Goodman, 2003, pg. 57) (what students have gained from media education so far). The school thus serves as the best place for educating children on using information and media in the best, effective, beneficial and ethical manner. The primary emphasis of the paper is on analyzing the need to impart media education to children in schools. Ways by which children can improve their Internet skills as well as remain safe from potential vulnerabilities through these electronic mediums will also be discussed. Most importantly, the contribution of media education in developing critical thinking among children shall also be elaborated. The paper will rely on emphasizing the growing importance of computer education and Internet for children and will discuss on ways to impart related education to children as well as educating them on the necessary precautions and safeguards needed to use the media in an ethical and beneficial manner. In this context, the discussion will concentrate on the emerging trend of social networking over the Internet through websites like facebook and Twitter (discussion points). Discussion A large proportion of children today have been participating both in cultural and social realms that were inaccessible and even unthinkable to their parents. In fact, the new world for children that seems to inspire and draw their attention is media. In fact, Buckingham (2003, pg. 87-91) notes that media not only plays a significant role in the lives of children, but also helps them construct meaning. In fact, Jenkins (2009) has observed that ignorance on the media’s significance to children by the school system has created a gap between the ‘in-school’ and ‘practical’ experience of students. It has led to deficiencies in creating personal relevance for children through learning. Burn (2007) believes that present schools have been unable to keep pace with changing times and needs of students due to lack of progress, resolve and foresight. Including media education in the curriculum will render studying as a meaningful and enriching experience for children and create the much-needed strong connection between the school environment and the outside world. Utilizing new forms of learning through modern media may further help many students understand things in a better manner and thereby reduce the number of drop-outs by enhancing their interest and academic performance. Computers exist everywhere from the grocery store to the school library and even in the modern car. Schools are increasingly teaching children to use computers right from the level of kindergarten. In fact, many six-year olds can use the Internet more proficiently than their parents or grandparents. The prominence of computers for children further gains significance as most homes today possess a computer wherein searching for information on the Internet, connecting with friends through social networking websites, preparing electronic reports or simply maintain personal data in a digital form have become a common way of life. In most cases, individuals use computers mostly for surfing the Internet and checking their mail. Given this dependence on computers for most of our daily needs, it is necessary that people, especially children, who depend on a lot of information from the internet even for their studies and assignments, be skilful and knowledgeable in computers and basic Information Technology (IT) skills. Besides, it is extremely difficult to succeed professionally in today’s job market and our technology driven lifestyles without possessing these basic necessary skills in IT (Hart, 1998, pg. 43-44). Apart from the student, computers have emerged as essential tools for teachers in teaching their students through innovative methods that delivers the concept in a much more legible manner. As such, media education forms an important asset for all entities involved in a school system. Knowledge on using the Internet is one extremely beneficial and important skill that children should possess in this competitive world. In fact, there is not much distinction today between the computer and the Internet and one among them isn’t mentioned without tagging the other term together. Without internet, it would not be possible for children to bond with their classmates beyond the classroom. There would be no scope for the student to find out information on a famous novel, a famous monument or a famous movie or learn simple tricks to perform basic arithmetic calculations. Apart from educating children on the Internet and computers, schools must ensure that children are taught techniques on searching for the right information (Jenkins, 2009, pg. 64). This can be extremely beneficial for improving research-oriented competencies in the child by educating them on how a search engine works. Students can be taught on how to connect with former classmates and friends through websites like facebook and to share information through blogging sites like Twitter. As such, the Internet along with a number of other forms of media contain a wealth of information that can immensely benefit children provided they learn the techniques to obtain specific information in an effective manner. IT education is also important as anything from posting an application to paying bills and keeping track of current events can be done using the Internet. Children must then be educated on the risks involved in online money transactions and informed on taking the necessary precautions like not saving passwords and refraining from giving financial information to anyone. Students are benefiting through online education that has the potential to reach millions of children even in developing countries where the resources available are comparatively limited (Goodman, 2003, pg. 109-110). This however requires that students develop the skills to use computers and other forms of media like audio and video playbacks for reading lessons, understanding presentations and watch films on important concepts and theory. Apart from the immense advantages that media education has got to offer, there are a number of vulnerabilities and deficiencies that must be taken care of effectively. Goodman (2003, pg. 18) has argued that the current emphasis on using technology as an integral component of the educational system in modern America has overlooked the basic aspect that education has sought to address. He argues that introducing new technologies limits the options available to people rather than improve them. The society generates needs that match with new and available technologies instead of technology being created to match current needs. With this argument, he seems to agree to McLuhan’s famous quote that ‘medium is the message’ where the kind of media used by the society is a prominent force of cultural and social change then any statement delivered through that media. This simply means that apart from providing education, the system needs to look into the manner in which it is imparting it and assess whether any changes need to be initiated to correct any deficiencies and enhance the quality of education imparted to students. Conclusion The above arguments transcend beyond belief that technology can shape society. Schools can no longer rely on traditional methods to educate the masses. The advent of modern media like television and the Internet have given people access to a lot more information that a school alone cannot teach any longer. In fact, much of this information can be accessed within the classroom especially through the instantaneous access to the World Wide Web. This enhances the role of the school as information, in itself, is not restricted to anyone and easy to access. The education system needs to focus primarily on two objectives: teaching children to behave as part of a new and broader community and to learn and ignore useless information. Thus, the emphasis of media education should rely increasingly on filtering information and learning the proper ways to handle it. In many ways, this addresses the predominant notion of media education. References 1. Jenkins (2009), Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century. MIT Press. 2. Buckingham (2003), Media education: literacy, learning, and contemporary culture. London: Wiley. 3. Burn (2007), Media literacy in schools: practice, production and progression. New York: SAGE. 4. Goodman (2003), Teaching youth media: a critical guide to literacy, video production & social change. Teachers College Press. 5. Giddens (2007), Sociology. Cambridge: Polity. 6. Hart (1998), Teaching the media: international perspectives. London: Routledge. Read More