Media Literacy Resources
Here are a few useful resources for more about media literacy. There is a whole lot of information out there, so my goal is to help collect and explain as much as I can for the purpose of this blog. Keep in mind that I’m merely in the process of tackling this gargantuan topic, so these are some reads that I’m using and working with at the same time that I am sharing them. Hopefully some more insight and depth will evolve with the blog, from both me and readers alike. In the mean time, check out these great reads and resources:
“Crap Detection 101″ by Howard Rheingold – Howard Rheingold tackles the digital information frontier, and gives a good foundation for how to warm up your own crap-detector.
“General Principles in Media Literacy” by Patricia Aufderheide – This is a stellar outline of media literacy ideas and explanations boiled down to the bone. I look forward to using this foundation to explore social media’s role in our information sphere.
"How to establish a media diet" by Jihii Jolly -- Jolly offers a great read with tips on how to surround yourself with healthy news options. Included is some talk about "slow news," which is a topic I'll delve into a lot more in my blogs.
Mediactive by Dan Gillmor – Mediactive is both a project website as well as a book by Gillmor. His work is jam-packed with useful perspectives and tips about being an active and informed consumer and creator of media today. He is a noted advocate of the “slow news” movement, and has some great ideas about smart media activity. Look out for a blog post with more in-depth discussion of his ideas.
“The Power of Fear in Networked Publics” by Danah Boyd – This is a pretty extensive read, but totally worth it. Again, something I will visit far more in depth over the course of this project, but I urge you to check it out. Boyd explores what she calls our “attention economy,” and how social media amplifies that information sphere.
The Washington Post’s “What Was Fake on the Internet This Week?” – I like to keep up with this column from Caitlin Dewey. She collects all of the most entertaining and outrageous hoaxes that spread on the web each week.
Center for Media Literacy – Jay Davis has a great article on this site explaining how to read between the lines and analyze news stories. Follow these simple guidelines and you’ll be media-savvy in no time!
Fake and Satirical News Sites - Check out my list of sometimes sneaky fake or satirical "news" websites. Don't be fooled by their stories, even if they look convincing.
WhatsTheHarm — This website website attempts to illustrate the consequences of failing to think critically about misinformation and spreading it. The site includes a list of topics that are rife with misinformation or completely false, from global warming to terrorism, and shows how this misinformation had real consequences through stories, scientific studies and resources.
Doubtful News — A site that analyzes questionable claims made about topics in health, science and more. It also includes a useful section about skepticism.
Verification Handbook — This resource is written primarily for journalists, but it’s full of useful and practical tips to help any online media consumer to sort fact from fiction.
Any suggestions? Stay tuned for more!
