Media Literacy and the Adult Learner
The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) defines media literacy as “the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using all forms of communication. In its simplest terms, media literacy builds upon the foundation of traditional literacy and offers new forms of reading and writing. Media literacy empowers people to be critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators, and active citizens.”
Who and what is media literacy for? The academic literature generally identifies three broad purposes for which media literacy contributes. These themes are apparent in shaping the policy discussions in politics, social media, academia, and the press, which currently focus on media literacy:
1. In a democratic society, individuals who are media-literate are better equipped to form informed opinions about current issues and are better able to express their views in public, civic, and political settings. A media-literate society helps foster a sophisticated, critical, and inclusive public sphere. However, adult learners often face challenges as most information is written and delivered at a higher reading level, making them susceptible to misinformation and propaganda.
2. Knowledge economy, competitiveness, and choice: In a market economy that relies increasingly on information, individuals who are literate in media are likely to have more to offer and to achieve at a higher level in the workplace. A society that is literate in media would be innovative and competitive, sustaining a rich array of choices for consumers. Once again, adult learners often face challenges in this area.
3. Lifelong Learning, Cultural Expression, and Personal Fulfillment: Media literacy improves critical and expressive skills, supporting a meaningful life and an informed, creative, and ethical society. However, adult learners may face challenges in enhancing their lives in this area due to their low literacy skills.
Adult learners increase their literacy skills best if they are interested in what they are reading about. From training in Media Literacy for Adults (ALA), media literacy can empower an adult learner to...
tell the difference between a piece of journalism and a piece that mimics journalism but is not.
tell the difference between news stories, opinion pieces, and propaganda.
think critically about online photos and images, including who produced them and where they came from.
identify biases in news content.
be a critical consumer of news media content.
Our Literacyworks students tell us that they want to be productive participants in the civic life of their communities. They aim to help improve their schools, become informed voters, and understand the local issues that affect their families' lives. We hope that media literacy will be offered in an understandable form, but until that happens, we must assist our students in identifying fact from fiction and truth from lies.
The Literacyworks Center serves a remarkable group of individuals. It is a privilege to support these resilient students as they explore opportunities through education and improve the possibilities for their future. The students have a wide set of goals and aspirations. Some want to improve their English skills, others want to work in the trades, and still others are initially unclear where their education will lead them. We view success for our students as achieving their identified goal, whatever that may be. For this newsletter, we will briefly highlight a few students who went above and beyond in achieving their goals."
Aaron had a challenging time in high school, and when he started at Santa Rosa Junior College, he had personal doubts about his chances of success. However, he found supportive staff and the Literacyworks Program, which helped him grow more confident with each semester. He became a full-time student, excelling in his studies and majoring in Sociology. Aaron also secured a job at the college, supporting new students, and remained involved with the Literacyworks Center throughout his time at the junior college. After graduating, he transferred to UC Berkeley with a significant scholarship, graduated with honors, and returned to Sonoma to work as an academic advisor at Sonoma State University, focusing on assisting new students. Recently, Aaron returned to Santa Rosa JC as the coordinator of the Intercultural Center on the Petaluma Campus. During our most recent meeting, he informed me that he is starting a master’s degree program in counseling at San Francisco State. It has been wonderful to watch this young man go so far and offer so much to others.
Leticia started at the JC to improve her English skills. She also joined Literacyworks and remained in the program for the entire time she attended the college. She discovered she loved learning and quickly became a successful student. Upon graduating with an associate’s degree, she transferred to UCLA, where she continued her studies and became an active member of the university community.
After graduating, she returned to Sonoma, where her family lives. Literacyworks hired Leticia for a part-time position working with our Spanish-speaking students to help them better understand the program requirements and how to take full advantage of the college’s resources. She was a great support to our students and to the program. In the past year, Leticia took a full-time position at the JC as the coordinator of a Student Service program designed to support women. She has applied to Graduate School in Educational Leadership. We wish her the best and will watch her career as it unfolds.
Chris Schultz, Literacyworks Center Director
SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS!
Our low-income students are among the most vulnerable in our community when it comes to suffering during a disaster. Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, many of our students are still suffering a loss of income and housing.
Our staff is offering additional support services to ensure our students stay in school and complete their course of study. We are proud that most have persisted and remained.
Thank you for supporting our students with your donation during this difficult time. You are making a difference in their lives with your gift.
