Media As We Know It

Media As We Know It

 

What way or ways is media impacting my generation and me some people might wonder? How big of an influence is media to this generation? Are those influences good or bad? Why is the media so important for my generation? These are some of the many questions people propose about the media and how it relates to this generation. It is essential to note that without media some information that are available to us wouldn’t be available without it. Media is defined as “the main means of communication” according to Webster’s dictionary. The MAIN means. Media is something that has pushed this generation’s information speed to a level that is unknown to the past generations. Some people do not understand that and find media to be a con rather than a pro.

In the two articles, "Critical Media Literacy, Democracy, and the Reconstruction of Education" by Douglas Kellner and Jeff Share and "The Media Education Revolution" by Len Masterman, the authors set the media on a very high pedestal as to what they bring to us and how efficiently it can be used. Masterman takes us through the evolution of media and how it is used in education. He points out some of the issues that occur when teachers attempt to teach media on a bias level. He also gives the reader a few suggestions on how media can grow in the future as far as education. Share and Kellner attempts to give the reader different ways and tactics on how the media is taught. The three authors all have similar views on how media influence society not just by opinion but also with facts.

Media impact this generation in a major way. Media provides a direct communication line to the topic of interest and the growth of knowledge in a split second. There is a reason why this generation is known to be one of the most advanced generations in history, because of media. Just as Masterman explained, unlike past generations, no longer do we have the source of knowledge in the hands of one prime source. The school teacher is not the only person with the knowledge or thinking skills. Media has opened this generation up to all of the knowledge we will ever need.
edia is a prize in a democratic civilization. In order for a democracy to survive, we must have knowledge. How can the blind lead the blind? Jesus said, “My people perish because of lack of knowledge.” I said that to say this: media is the source of power to the mass. When there isn’t just one person who holds the key to knowledge it is nearly impossible to manipulate and put people in bondage. When people are able to critically think for themselves that’s when the society advances. 

My peers are not only up to date on national issues but we know about global issues as well. It scares me sometimes when I begin to examine myself and see all things that I know compared to my parents.
Media do however have its downfalls. Boundaries are broken that has never been broken before. Younger children are exposed to things that they shouldn’t be exposed to. Media brings ideas to people such as teenagers that suggest to them that they have to look, dress or act a certain way to be accepted. This brings about depression and causes negative side effects to our generation. But I can’t name one good thing that doesn’t have its pros and cons. We don’t live in an ideal world so everything has its ups and downs. The amount of intellect the media presents to this generation is far greater compared to the minor setbacks. Media is what interest us as a generation.

In the end, media provides this generation with so much knowledge that we can’t receive in a class room. It is the foundation of this generation, it brings about efficiency, intelligence and skills that cannot be taught by a teacher. Well maybe, but it wouldn’t be very productive because it is proven that if someone isn’t interested in a topic or what they are learning, they will gather facts they need to pass the class but will not want to find out more about it driving the studies to a potential haut. But if someone is interested in a subject, one will want to explore more about the subject provoking critical thinking skills and knowledge. Provoking a chain reaction that will make people want to learn more and more about any and everything. Knowledge is power. This generation is powerful. The media gives this generation the knowledge to be a power source that is satisfying for both the generation and civilization as we know it.

Education in My Eyes

By Rickey Watson Jr.

 

 

The views of Jeffrey R. Young are much unbiased.  I admire the fact that he chose diverse sources to gather his information.  His main objective was simply to respond to a very bold statement made by Dekunle Somade, a senior at the U. of Maryland at College Park. Somade said, “There's not really much need for teachers anymore, since so much material is online.” Jeffrey propose a very valid question in response to this statement.  But the question is a question that is hard to answer in a world filled with people of many different thoughts, styles, preferences, taste, etc.

Learning is different for everyone.  The way one learns is different and it has nothing to do with what century we are in.  It is true; people evolve, people change.  Change is inevitable to a world that is constantly evolving. 

But just as Charles Darwin describes his theory of natural selection; how organism that adapt to their environment tend to survive, this is true for people with technology as well.

This world is centered on technology and some people have to face it.

On the other hand, some things that are taught cannot be taught through online sessions.  I’m in an acting school and a lot of things we focus on are physical aspects.  We do a lot of hands-on work.  I can’t imagine trying to take a movement class via “SKYPE”, LOL. However, some classes I rather take online like lecture classes or writing classes and so forth, because those classes are classes that are self-explanatory that requires skills that we should already have: reading, understanding, analyzing, writing, and simply following directions.

So there are a lot of things to take into consideration with this question, being culturally relevant, but yet needing things that a computer class cannot offer. 

As far as my opinion on this subject matter, I feel that just as Mr. Randy Bass, executive director of Georgetown University's Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship argued, “Courses won’t go away completely…they do provide a handy framework... (he) hopes that professors will stop thinking of them as a goal unto themselves and focus more on linking skills conveyed in the classroom to hands-on student activities.”