Improving Media Literacy in Lower Education Research Paper

Improving Media Literacy in Lower Education - Research Paper Example As the report declares media literacy is especially important among children and youths upon whom the future of America and the world depends. This is because; by being media literate these individuals are better equipped to interpret complex messages from all forms of media including the internet, newspapers, television, magazines, radio, music, and marketing materials, among others. Another important aspect of media literacy is the fact that it equips people with the skills to create innovative media forms and become active partisans in the prevailing media culture. According to the research findings there are numerous media literacy tools presently in use in America, there is need to conduct extensive assessment research to establish the most effective ones. This process is made difficult by the fact that there are varying theoretical and educational foundations upon which the media literacy programs are established. With the extant literature on media literacy it is evident that many researchers concede that it is preferable to integrate emerging concepts of media literacy into existing education curricula, instead of teaching the concepts within a detached context. Many scholars appear to support the notion that these emergent media tools must gradually replace the traditional ones. For instance, many researchers consider traditional tools of investigative journalism to be outdated. It is for this reason that, they deem modern media tools like first-person documentaries to be the most appropriate investigative methods. ... any researchers concede that it is preferable to integrate emerging concepts of media literacy into existing education curricula, instead of teaching the concepts within a detached context. However, many scholars appear to support the notion that these emergent media tools must gradually replace the traditional ones. For instance, many researchers consider traditional tools of investigative journalism to be outdated. It is for this reason that, they deem modern media tools like first-person documentaries to be the most appropriate investigative methods. This is because; the producers of such films play a crucial role in informing members of the public about occurrence of destructive societal vices like malevolence and corruption (Herrick 45-56). These forms of documentaries, also popularly referred to as personal documentaries are films produced by a person. This is unlike traditional documentaries, which are filmed, edited and produced by a studio. First-person documentaries narrate actual events as they occur and, therefore, report factual realities as opposed to highly altered content. Josh Fox and Michael Moore are two of the most prominent personal documentary makers, who have led this revolution in journalism. Some of these filmmakers’ documentaries have instigated debate in mainstream American society, prompting me to understand the role played by this genre of film to promote social change. The filmmakers are occasionally perceived to be advocates of societal development and betterment of the public. This is a role that television journalists have gradually deserted, as they focus of the most profitable stories. Therefore, these personal documentaries are increasingly becoming useful learning tools as technology advances, and as more people gain the ability