The Tech Shock Podcast - on Media Literacy

In this week's Tech Shock podcast, Vicki and Geraldine discuss the much-used but sometimes misunderstood term 'media literacy'. 

Geraldine kicks off the podcast by remarking that "when Parent Zone asked teachers, not many of them knew what media literacy was – and certainly couldn't define it". So what exactly is it about this term that makes it so hard to pin down?

One factor, Vicki suggests, is that media literacy isn't just about content. It involves the design features and functions of platforms, and also requires us to make sense of evolving tech like AI, and problems like disinformation. 

The podcast discusses the lessons we can take from Parent Zone's media literacy programme 'Parent Zone Local' – particularly when it comes to challenging the idea that media literacy is just too abstract for parents to grapple with. 

To close, Vicki and Geraldine ask whether, if being media literate help us challenge content, information, and 'truths', will all governments want to promote media literacy?

Listen to the episode in full, here.

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