Educational Technlogy Blog

Currently, news is being shared constantly. With X(formerly known as Twitter), TikTok, and viral videos, people are seeing real-time news articles. However, it is important to understand all the media that is being shared. We as educators have a responsibility to teach medical fluency so people can think about what they see, hear, and share.

What Is Media Fluency?

Media fluency is the ability to analyze communication, interpret underlying messages, and evaluate the effectiveness of different media formats. It also involves creating original content that matches the message with the right audience and platform (Digital Fluency in the Classroom, n.d.). These skills are important since most of the information people gain is consumed digitally and often without much reflection.

The Dangers of Misinformation

When someone shares information, it can quickly spread. Sometimes, it’s not easy to tell what is true or what isn’t. In this case, misinformation can spread quickly. It is important for students, before sharing information, to ask questions that can help determine if this needs to be shared.

Who made this content?

What is their goal?

Is this fact or opinion?

It’s important to help students become smart media users to help them gain tools to think for themselves and make informed choices(Jeong et al, 2021).

Media Fluency in Everyday Learning

It might seem complicated to help teach media fluency, but it is not. Educators can start a discussion about a recent news story or talk about how social media shapes what people see. These strategies can help students increase their critical thinking skills.

The Power of Media Education

A 2024 report from the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) shows that media literacy education supports civic engagement and helps students recognize misinformation and biased sources. This can help people make choices online and become better informed.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, media fluency is about more than seeing misinformation. It teaches students how to engage with the world in smart, respectful, and informed ways.

References

Jeong, S. H., Cho, H., & Hwang, Y. (2021). Media literacy interventions: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Communication, 71(3), 454–472. https://doi.org/10.1093/joc/jqab004

National Association for Media Literacy Education. (2024). Snapshot 2024: The state of media literacy education in the United States. https://namle.net