SKILLS IN MEDIA LITERACY

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to think about and evaluate information objectively. It’s the ability to think
critically about what you’re reading, hearing or seeing in the media and make your own conclusions.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

Critical thinking skills are important for media literacy because they help you to understand and analyze
the messages that you’re receiving from the media. When you can think critically about the media, you
can make more informed decisions about the information you consume.

Analysis

Analysis is the process of breaking down a text, image, or audio file into smaller parts in order to better
understand it. When you analyze something, you’re looking at it from different perspectives and
considering how those perspectives might affect your interpretation. For example, you might analyze a
news article by looking at the author’s point of view, the supporting evidence, and the tone of the piece.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

Analysis is an important skill for media literacy because it allows you to critically evaluate the
information you consume. By understanding how different elements of a text, image, or audio file
impact your interpretation, you can make more informed decisions about what you believe and what
you share.

Evaluation

Evaluation is the process of assessing the quality of something. When it comes to media, evaluation can
be difficult because we don’t always have the information we need to make an informed decision. For
example, when we watch a news report, we might not know how accurate the information is or whether
the reporter is biased.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

Evaluating media can be especially difficult for young people, who might not have the experience or
knowledge to make an informed decision. However, it’s important to learn how to evaluate media
because it can help us make better decisions about what we consume. We can also use our evaluation
skills to critique media and discuss its impact.
Research

Research is an important skill for media literate citizens because it allows them to find and evaluate
information from a variety of sources. When we are able to do research, we are better able to make
informed decisions about our lives and our communities. Research skills include:

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

-Knowing how to use library resources -Knowing how to use online resources -Knowing how to use
reference materials -Knowing how to use search engines -Knowing how to evaluate information -
Knowing how to use bibliographies -Knowing how to use citations -Knowing how to use APA or MLA
format -Knowing how to use quotes -Knowing how to use footnotes -Knowing how to use hyperlinks -
Knowing how to use parenthetical citations -Knowing how to use endnotes -Knowing how to use
appendices -Knowing how to use figures -Knowing how to use tables -Knowing how to use diagrams -
Knowing how to use charts -Knowing how to use graphs -Knowing how to use visuals -Knowing how to
use symbols -Knowing how to use abbreviations -Knowing how to use technical terms -Knowing how to
use foreign languages -Knowing how to use foreign characters -Knowing how to use foreign symbols

Synthesis

Synthesis is the ability to put together different pieces of information to form a new idea or conclusion.
It’s a key element of media literacy because it allows us to take in information from different sources
and make sense of it all. When we synthesize information, we’re able to see the bigger picture and
understand how different pieces of information relate to each other.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

This skill is important because it allows us to make sense of the information we take in, whether it’s
from the news, social media or other sources. When we can synthesize information, we’re better able to
make informed decisions and understand the world around us.

Creativity

Creativity is an important skill for media literacy because it allows you to think outside the box and come
up with new ideas. When you’re faced with a problem, being creative can help you find a solution.
Additionally, creativity can be used to create new media such as art, music, videos or writing.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

Being creative means thinking outside the box, taking risks and being open to new ideas. It’s important
to be creative in order to solve problems, but it’s also important to be critical when evaluating new
ideas. When you’re creative, you can come up with new ideas, but when you’re critical, you can evaluate
whether or not those ideas are good.

Communication

Communication is an important media literacy skill because it allows you to understand and interpret
the messages that you are receiving. It also allows you to share your own messages with clarity and
purpose. When you are able to communicate effectively, you are better able to engage in critical
thinking and make informed decisions.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

Media literacy is the ability to critically analyze and understand the messages that we are receiving from
the media. It is important to be media literate in order to make informed decisions about the messages
that we are receiving. Communication is an important skill for media literacy because it allows us to
share our own messages and understand the messages that we are receiving.

Collaboration

Collaboration is an important media literacy skill because it allows you to work with others to create and
share media. When you collaborate, you can share your ideas and expertise to create something that is
bigger and better than what you could do on your own. Collaboration also allows you to learn from
others and see different perspectives.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

Collaboration can take many forms, including working together on a project, sharing resources,
exchanging ideas or working on a team. When you collaborate, it’s important to be respectful of others’
ideas, share the workload and communicate effectively.

Media Production

Media production is the process of creating media, such as audio, video, or text. It involves the planning,
creation, and distribution of media products. Media production is a key element of media literacy
because it allows people to create their own media, rather than just consume it.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

Creating media can be a fun and creative way to express yourself, and it can also be a way to share your
ideas with others. When you produce media, you have control over what is included and how it is
presented. This can be a valuable skill in school and in the workplace.

Media Consumption

Media consumption is the act of consuming media, or material that is produced for mass consumption.
This includes everything from books and magazines to television shows and movies. Media consumption
is a form of entertainment, but it can also be used for educational purposes.

WHY DO WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS SKILL?

Media consumption is an important skill for media literacy, which is the ability to critically analyze and
understand media. By consuming media, you are exposed to different perspectives and ideas. This can
help you to understand how media is produced and how it can influence our thoughts and opinions.

How to Improve Your Media Literacy Skills

Be aware of your own biases

Before you can start to critically analyze the media, it’s important to be aware of your own biases. We all
have them, and they can distort the way we see the world. Once you’re aware of your own biases, you
can start to question the media with a more open mind.

REFERENCE:

 https://climbtheladder.com/media-literacy-skills/