Discussion #2

I feel that the ability for all people to create their own media is good thing, because then more people will understand the influences of media on their perceptions, beliefs, and actions. This ability would be a positive influence on our democratic society, even though the U.S.A. is a republic and society treats it as a democracy, which is a negative attribute of Americans. The ability of the people to create their own media does not mean that they will. If all people of our society were to create media an broadcast it, then there would be a visual overload and congestion in media formats. "The explosive growth of internet mediums have further underscored the increased relevance of the visual messages in comparison to audible messages (that is the internet, in its present form, is primarily a visual domain). It is an advanced illustration of how “the eyes have it.” (Schnell, 2008)

Schnell states, "We experience continued growth of the new communication technologies via the growth of the internet (which is a visual platform for meaning conveyance often at the expense of our aural sense)." (Schnell, 2008) A visual culture is a good thing, but I can see that a visual-only culture can lead to a dissociation of verbal-aural interpretation skills to discern meaning and ideas from the spoken language. We should be teaching all students how to create, manage, and interpret all forms of media.

I am a critical consumer of visual images. I am often attracted to new ideas or products by the visual media, but I will then look for critical commentary or reviews of products or systems before I purchase said product or enact said principles in my life. I have learned to be very critical of the media and their influence, because most people are out to get your money in one way or another. I will not be swayed to relinquish my earnings and time on a wasteful product or an unrealistic philosophy.

I will start to teach more media literacy in my classroom, especially after the morning news section of the day. Educators do not teach enough media literacy and our students are at a disadvantage as a result. "We need to learn to consistently see ourselves as consumers of images we are exposed to via mass mediated channels." (Schnell, 2008) The schools are a great place to teach media literacy and should be required in all courses of study, because I often find my students are easily swayed by advertisements and celebrities.

Schnell, J. (2008). Suggestions for Addressing the Increased Emphasis on Visual Imagery over Aural Messages.  Media Psychology Review. Vol. 1(1)

Photo Analysis

Photo 2 of President Obama seems most confident to me. I see the current president in a down-to-earth, “let’s sit and talk straight” persona. He looks like he is reaching out to the public to explain the crisis situation with a calm demeanor. His shirt sleeves are rolled up and his top button is undone, a symbol of the working American. An admiral is looking to President Obama in such a way as to support him. Images that represent crisis and management are in the background. Both men look like they are working hard and need the cups of coffee to keep them going in a unified effort to stop the leak. I know that President Obama seemed “on the ball” with national briefings during the crisis time and was often seen speak to or visiting the Gulf Coast locals in a way of showing concern, wanting to witness the damage, and reassuring the concerned Americans that the problem would be fixed. Obama seems to be looking up, communicating that he is looking forward and sees a light at the end of the tunnel; that the crisis will end soon. The president sits close to the admiral and this demonstrates that he is working close with those on the front addressing the issue. Both men looked aged (experienced). I think this photo is spontaneous, because it looks like he is answering a question. This photo raises the following questions: What is he doing to solve the problem? Who is the officer to his right and what role does he play? Is the situation under control? In photo 1, Obama seems concerned and confused. This photo makes him seem unaware of the crisis and not sure of himself. He looks older here, in a posed picture.

Photo 1: New York Daily News June 14, 2010

Caption: Obama cautiously concerned about oil spill


Photo 2: Christian Science Monitor June 14, 2010

Caption: Obama takes action at a press meeting concerning the recent Deepwater Horizon crisis


Photo analysis activity. The link to the right will take you to a worksheet that guides a student's analysis of an image and helps the student form inferences and questions about an image.

Introduction

I am from Clarksburg, WV. I am a teacher at Harrison County Alternative Center where I teach science at Transitional High School; which is a special program where students from the other five high schools in the county send students who do not meet the criteria to stay within a normal high school. My students usually have a drug abuse past and have general behavior problems. This program provides them with an education while removing them from the general student population. My work place also receives students who are about to enter a placement facility or those who have exited a facility and are about to enter the normal student population; hence, "Transitional." I expect to increase my knowledge of online resources that I can use in my science classroom. I would like to develop a science curriculum that utilizes a website or blog I would author for all of my students' internet based assignments.

Try our slideshow creator at Animoto.

Teaching media literacy is important, because our students are surrounded by all sorts of media with all sorts of messages. We would not know what the students think or how their opinions develop and change if we do not take the time to open a dialog with them. The media's only purpose is to instill a mindset in the audience to do one thing over another or believe one way and disbelieve another. This rift caused by the media has a massive impact on our youth and their actions. I must teach media literacy to help our students interpret the individual goals of media and make them aware of the consequences of blindly following said media. My students are "at risk" students which are easily swayed into one direction by their friends, their addictions, and the popular media; as such, I need to help my students learn how to govern themselves and I can do this by teaching media literacy. I am concerned that I will not be able to connect to the students as strongly as the media does. I feel as though I am not as entertaining and convincing as the media.