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Media Literacy: Home

An Overview

Definition of Media Literacy

The term media literacy is often used interchangeably with other terms related to media and media technologies.

  • Media refers to all electronic or digital means and print or artistic visuals used to transmit messages.
  • Literacy is the ability to encode and decode symbols and to synthesize and analyze messages.
  • Media literacy is the ability to encode and decode the symbols transmitted via media and the ability to synthesize, analyze and produce mediated messages.
  • Media education is the study of media, including ‘hands on’ experiences and media production.
  • Media literacy education is the educational field dedicated to teaching the skills associated with media literacy.
Source: "Media Literacy Defined." National Association for Media Literacy Education. National Association for Media Literacy Education, 06 Apr. 2016. Web. 05 Dec. 2016.