1. Running head: MEDIA LITERACY 1
Media Literacy
Ashton A. Booher
University of South Carolina

2. MEDIA LITERACY 2
Abstract

3. MEDIA LITERACY 3
Media Literacy
Media literacy is defined in many ways. It can be defined as knowing how to use
media, knowing the different types of media, or even using media regularly. To define
this term more clearly, I researched the definition. The widely used definition of media
literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms
("What is media," 2011). This definition incorporates all of the other definitions into
one. All parts of this definition must be achieved before something can be considered
media literacy. Each part of media literacy is different and important; this paper will
explain both the definition and importance of all the parts.
Access
Accessing media is the easiest part of achieving media literacy. Once a person
gets passed how to use technology and how to get onto the Internet, it is all about figuring
out how to define their search to find what they are looking for. That takes practice
mainly, but there are a few tips that help narrow the search quickly. Some tips include
using the main topic, including only specific items, and entering in the information
properly. Having the access to media/technology is important to the definition of media
literacy because it is the beginning step of the process. If a person did not know how to
access the information, then there is no need for the analyze, evaluate, or create steps.
For example, a person must have access to a website before they can analyze the
website’s content.
Analyze
Analyzing media is not as easy as accessing media is. Analyzing media usually
requires multiple steps to see if the information is useful or relevant. For example, a

4. MEDIA LITERACY 4
person might be looking for a definition of media literacy, but only finds a website that
talks about the importance of media literacy. The person needs to be able to analyze the
website to see if the can find the information they are looking for. It is important to have
the analyze part of media literacy because a person could access all sorts of information,
but if it is not about their specific topic than it is useless. This is where the evaluate part
comes in.
Evaluate
Once a person has accessed media and analyzed the information to make sure it is
relevant, they must then evaluate the website to see how reliable it is. A few rules for this
is to look at the ending of the website. For example, a website that ends in .com is
probably not as reliable as one that ends in .gov or .org. Since anyone can make a
website, it is important for people to be able to evaluate the website. By evaluating a
website, the person makes sure that the information is true and valid ("What is media,"
2011).
Create
Once a person accesses, analyzes, and evaluates media there is only one step left
to achieving media literacy. That is being able to create or use all types of media. Like
we have learned in this class, a teacher can use media in a variety of ways. Before this
class I was not sure how I would incorporate technology, but now I am sure that I can
incorporate technology in a useful and effective way. Creating or using technology is the
final part of media literacy. It is how a person can express their knowledge of media and
use it to their benefit.

5. MEDIA LITERACY 5
Media literacy is important overall because it is becoming a widespread need for
people to function in society (Gabler, 2011). As a teacher, I know that the students will
need to be able to use media effectively. It has become a part of our culture, and is
necessary for people to communicate, learn, and succeed in our generation. I hope that
my future classes will learn a lot about using media and the usefulness of media literacy.

6. MEDIA LITERACY 6
References
Gabler, N. (2011, May 15). Media literacy. Retrieved from http://www.medialiteracy.
com
What is media literacy?. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.medialit.org/reading-
room/what-media-literacy-definitionand-more