Mathematics and science have always been relevant to applying media literacy, but there is now a true urgency to providing students and adults with the fluency they need to put media literacy to use in evaluating quantitative as well as qualitative information. In this issue of Connections, we interview two leaders of data-centric organizations. We also report on the International Media Literacy Research Symposium and GAPMIL NA meetings recently held in Portugal.
This is our 100th issue of Connections! We appreciate the interest and support of the media literacy community. In this issue, we interview two scholars who explain how terrorism has infiltrated the online world, how computational social science focuses on predicting future behavior in regards to terrorism, how bots undermine our trust in social media, and how media literacy can help. Interviews with Dr.
In this issue of Connections, we discuss schools as online and offline communities, and how media literacy skills can empower students to actively and responsibly address the difficult topics and risks of our day. We share front-line insights from National School Walkout Day, with a case study on media literacy in action. We also explore how to help students understand their own part in communities, with parent involvement. Includes interviews with Rose Pierre-Louis of Connecticut Public’s Thinkalong program, and Mary Ann Sund of Lersun Development.
In this issue of Connections, we illustrate how theory, practice and activism work together through current research and implementation programs being conducted at the University of Southern California (USC). We feature a dialogue between Henry Jenkins, a leading media scholar and Provost Professor of Communication, Journalism, and the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and CML’s Director, Tessa Jolls. Their conversation focuses on David Bordwell’s insightful film theory and how it informs today’s media literacy work.
The representation of gender in media has long been a subject of fascination as well as critical analysis and change management for those advancing and practicing media literacy. In this issue of Connections, we highlight two organizations addressing these issues worldwide. Promundo, founded in Brazil in 1997, promotes gender equality and violence prevention by engaging men and boys in partnership with women and girls. The Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) teams with more than 100 countries to keep accurate data on gender representation in the news.
This issue of Connections explores confirmation bias and the role it plays in our decision-making process. We interviewed professor Jason Ohler who says, “confirmation bias is fake news’ best friend.” We also introduce our new CML Fellow and Affiliate Michele Johnsen. Note correction: the famous bias study cited as a resource was authored by Albert Hastorf and Hadley Cantril.
Should we place hope in technology for solving some of the problems technology helped create? Maybe. One approach worth looking at is BlockChain (distributed ledger technology) which might help to solve the riddle of where information originates, and how it morphs and proliferates. CML interviewed Ian O’Byrne, internationally recognized educator and researcher, on the topic of BlockChain technology and its connections to media literacy.
Part 2 of our look at the similarities and overlap of Media AND Information Literacy. This issue includes three interviews with librarians representing public libraries, maker spaces, and higher education who offer first-hand accounts of how libraries and librarians are reinventing themselves to meet the varied needs of today’s learners. Read the interviews with Susan Broman, LA Public Library; Mya Stark, LA Maker Space, and Spencer Brayton, Blackburn College, IL.
Part 1 was published in the May 2017 issue of Connections.
This issue highlights the close relationship of the fields of media literacy and information literacy. Although media literacy and information literacy are two separate fields of practice and research, the intersections and the overlaps between the fields continue to strengthen and grow as both fields evolve. UNESCO has long encouraged both fields to align and work together through support of its Media and Information Literacy (MIL) program, and has sponsored meetings and declarations, conferences and events that focus on the combined fields.