Media literacy education teaches students to critically analyze what they see, hear and read in advertising, news and entertainment media. Now that youth are media creators in the digital world, they need to think critically about the content they create. Teach students to get into the habit of asking five key questions before they send, share or post in cyberspace.
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1. What is the purpose of my message?
- Why did I create, post or send the message?
- Who did I want to reach? Do I expect a response?
- What kind of attention might my message attract? Is it the kind of attention I want?
2. Why did I use this technology to express myself?
- Why did I choose this form of communication – IM, e-mail, text message, twitter, blog, social networking, chat, webcam, podcast, video or photo sharing – and is it the best way to express what I wanted to say?
- What creative techniques did I use – photos, images, icons, emoticoms, lingo, animation, avatar, music, sounds, colors, fonts, camera angles, interactivity, photoshop? If I use popular songs, video clips, clip art, cartoons, logos, artwork or other cultural artifacts, do I need to obtain copyright permission?
- What terms or conditions do I agree to when I use this technology tool?
3. What does the message say about my values, beliefs and behavior?
- What type of person does it suggest I am? Is this what I intended?
- Does the message tell things about me that I should keep private?
- What did I include or leave out and why? What could I communicate differently?
4. How might different people interpret my message?
- Does the person or group I sent the message to understand it the way I meant?
- Do I show respect for people’s privacy? Do I hurt anyone’s feelings?
- How might someone I did not intend to see my message interpret it, including my parents and other family members, friends and classmates, teachers and coaches, college recruiters, future employers, strangers or law enforcement? How do I feel about what they think?
5. How do the choices I make affect me?
- What is my Net reputation? Is this how I want to represent my cyber identity?
- How might what I post affect me or my family and friends now and in the future? Who might benefit and who might be harmed?
- How much control do I have over my online content? If I delete something, is it gone forever? Who owns what I create? Who might profit from it?
- Did I break any laws creating, posting, or sending content? What are the consequences of my actions?
The original version of this guide was published in “You Are What You Post,” Cable in the Classroom, July/August 2008. For more information, visit www.BobbieEisenstock.com
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