MY meaning of media literacy is, "knowing how to figure out and use media, including computers, cellphones, computer games, television, radio, internet, books, magazines, pamphlets, newspapers." Anything you read or interact with that may be a source of media.
Media literacy means learning how to use media by using restrictions and boundaries so that it doesn't consume all of your spare time. Also, knowing how to detach from information you get from media. If you don't know how to set boundaries with yourself, you may have a "Media Addiction." I have known many children, youth and adults who have been unable to control their media use. Just using the internet can be like a thread leading to another thread to yet another thread and so on. One has to know when to quit.
Loving media as I do, I have learned this lesson over and over again. I will set a timer and stop when the timer goes off. I actually have my computer set to turn off at 7pm every day. Families have to have more control over their children's use of media. It's a different world and there is so much fun and good that comes along with the use of media and there must be guidelines set for children, youth and adults. Wake up to a new day utilizing media with literacy.
More later...
The Radiogirl
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Do We Need To Opt Out On Being Present To One Another?
Do We Need To Opt Out On Being Present To One Another? What is the urge to not show up to be with one another anymore? Vegging out with the "technology generation" may cause more deafness than what we as a society can manage. I am a tech buff and love playing with all the latest toys created by high tech businesses. I simply get concerned about people being mesmerized by computers and things and not showing up for their daily interaction with another human being.
I am concerned, because I have seen how this mesmerization works. I worked in an after school program where little kindergarten children, did not want to hear a story being read to them but rather chose to play computer games. As a long time storyteller, I was appalled at this discovery. No matter how sensational the story was, the children were disinterested. Once again, I realize what a great teaching tool technology is for all of us, and I know we need to keep, "6 degrees of separation," between us and not allow our technology use to widen that gap by pushing us further apart.
Sometimes, I think, that children and youth, in general, need to be educated on the proper use of technology through a mandatory course in media literacy. Yes, I do...because, as a television and radio educated person, I have seen how destructive media is if you do not know how to use it properly. Meaning, when to stop using it and how to circumvent defiant behavior settling into your use. Adults seem to have difficulties with the boundaries of using media, how can they help our youth learn?
Tune in tomorrow for more information on Media literacy in Action. Thanks to those of you who are following and commenting.
Ciao,
The Radiogirl
I am concerned, because I have seen how this mesmerization works. I worked in an after school program where little kindergarten children, did not want to hear a story being read to them but rather chose to play computer games. As a long time storyteller, I was appalled at this discovery. No matter how sensational the story was, the children were disinterested. Once again, I realize what a great teaching tool technology is for all of us, and I know we need to keep, "6 degrees of separation," between us and not allow our technology use to widen that gap by pushing us further apart.
Sometimes, I think, that children and youth, in general, need to be educated on the proper use of technology through a mandatory course in media literacy. Yes, I do...because, as a television and radio educated person, I have seen how destructive media is if you do not know how to use it properly. Meaning, when to stop using it and how to circumvent defiant behavior settling into your use. Adults seem to have difficulties with the boundaries of using media, how can they help our youth learn?
Tune in tomorrow for more information on Media literacy in Action. Thanks to those of you who are following and commenting.
Ciao,
The Radiogirl
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Breaking up via text?
Recently, I had a discussion with a young man about, "Breaking up via text." I was upset to hear this is happening among the youth of today. All I could think about was how detached and distant it is to break up via a text message. The young man of 30, agreed with me.
If you cannot face another human being to tell them that you do not care for them in the same way any longer, in person, I believe there is a loss of human dignity at stake here. You see, being able to tell someone face to face, will make you a stronger person in the long run because if you have to look at someone who you no longer have feelings for, I mean, look them in the eyes, you get to see their reaction. Witnessing what a person feels is in itself, being intimate with another human being, in good times and in not so good times, and it gives you a full picture of true interaction.
When you break up with a person face to face as opposed to texting, you get to feel the total experience of making the wrong choice which can only help you be a stronger human being in the future and perhaps make you more sensitive to your choices in the dating scene. I understand the temptation to break up with someone in a text message, and please rethink ever doing that, please. You cheat yourself as well as the other individual, from witnessing the truth in action, not to mention how you cripple yourself in experiencing true intimacy.
Intimacy is one of those abstracts that is important to being human. We need intimacy with one another in order to connect heart to heart. Don't short change yourself from experiencing true intimacy with one another just to take the easy way out. In the long run, you don't win.
If you cannot face another human being to tell them that you do not care for them in the same way any longer, in person, I believe there is a loss of human dignity at stake here. You see, being able to tell someone face to face, will make you a stronger person in the long run because if you have to look at someone who you no longer have feelings for, I mean, look them in the eyes, you get to see their reaction. Witnessing what a person feels is in itself, being intimate with another human being, in good times and in not so good times, and it gives you a full picture of true interaction.
When you break up with a person face to face as opposed to texting, you get to feel the total experience of making the wrong choice which can only help you be a stronger human being in the future and perhaps make you more sensitive to your choices in the dating scene. I understand the temptation to break up with someone in a text message, and please rethink ever doing that, please. You cheat yourself as well as the other individual, from witnessing the truth in action, not to mention how you cripple yourself in experiencing true intimacy.
Intimacy is one of those abstracts that is important to being human. We need intimacy with one another in order to connect heart to heart. Don't short change yourself from experiencing true intimacy with one another just to take the easy way out. In the long run, you don't win.
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