Educ 6810 - Reading & Discussion #2

1. In your opinion, is the potential for more people to create their own media a positive or negative influence on our democratic society? Use a quote from the reading to support your answer.

"Whether it is a visual of George W. Bush standing among the remains of the World Trade Center or a visual of John Kerry standing with his Navy comrades from the Vietnam era, there is a meaning conveyed in each case that goes beyond what words can describe in a short amount of time" (Schnell, 2008).

I feel that it is a positive thing for people like me.  I am a huge visual learner.  I would much rather watch a video, view images, or look at a picture than read about something.  I would also rather watch the news on television as opposed to simply hearing it on the radio.  However, there are many negatives within this as well.  People see things in different ways.  Stated in the quote above, Schnell claims that there are so many meanings that can be conveyed that words cannot even describe.  Therefore, I am unsure about whether I feel there is an exact positive or negative with this.

2. Is visual cultural a good thing or bad thing? Use a quote from the reading to support your answer.

"These types of developments are not necessarily cause for concern but they are landmarks that should be noted and recognized for what they are" (Schnell, 2008).

I do not believe that they are a bad thing.  I agree with this quote, I feel that we as educators need to realize what these images mean and what our students see in them.  We need to be sure that our students note and recognize the images for what they really are.

3. Do you think you are a critical consumer of visual images? Give an example.

"Anytime we feel ourselves being influenced we should instinctively query ourselves regarding what influence we are feeling, how that influence is occurring and ask if the claims we are digesting are rational."

I personally do not see myself as a critical consumer.  I never paid that much attention to the images that I was exposed to.  However, I do see myself trying to become one.  This is why I chose this particular quote.  I need to make sure that I know what is influencing me and how that is affecting the way that I feel.

4. How does the article influence your thoughts about teaching media literacy in school? Use a quote from the reading to support your answer.

"The more we engage in this process the more we can be startled by the findings from such analysis and this can act as reinforcement for developing the habit to view visual images in such a manner" (Schnell, 2008). 

I feel that this article opened my eyes more to the fact that I need to become more critical when using media literacy before I start teaching the media literacy.  I need to continuously engage myself in critically analyzing the media.  However, it also taught me that the more I do this - the better it may be; therefore, I can carry that on into my classroom to my students.

Source:
Schnell, J. (2008). Suggestions for Addressing the Increased Emphasis on Visual Imagery over Aural Messages. Media Psychology Review. Vol. 1(1) Retrieved from http://mprcenter.org/mpr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=123