Media+Literacy+Standards

Being a critical and reflective consumer of communication requires an understanding of how words, images, graphics, and sounds work together in ways that are both subtle and profound. Mass media such as radio, television, and film, and electronic media such as the telephone, the Internet, and computer conferencing influence the way meanings are created and shared in contemporary society. So great is this impact that in choosing how to send a message and evaluate its effect, communicators need to be aware of the distinctive characteristics of each medium.

Communication shapes our sense of self and the way we interact in our environment, from gathering and presenting information to managing conflict. Speaking, listening, and media literacy are fundamental to the process, purpose, and influence of interpersonal relations in the family, the workplace, and one-to-one social interactions.


 * The speaking, listening, and media literacy standards have been developed based on several assumptions:**

Acceptance of the standards should be voluntary. The standards do not constitute a national curriculum. The standards should serve as a framework for the development of curricula by individual states, school districts, and local schools. The standards should be a living document that will be revisited and reexamined on a regular basis. The standards should be both performance-based and knowledge-based. The standards should relate to existing knowledge and skills in the area of speaking, listening, and media literacy. The standards should be set at developmental levels that show growth in learning from grades K through 12. The standards should not be all-inclusive, but should leave opportunity for additions deemed necessary by states, school districts, schools, and                                            individual teachers. The standards should be written in non-technical, non-academic language.


 * The effective media participant can demonstrate . . .**

the effects of the various types of electronic audio and visual media, including television, radio, the telephone, the Internet, computers, electronic conferencing, and film, on media consumers;

the ability to identify and use skills necessary for competent participation in communication across various types of electronic audio and visual media.