Digital Media Literacy - Student Book - Sample (Sections 1 & 2)

Sarah McGuill

Published by 4schools

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© 2021 Sarah McGuill

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ISBN 978-1-907330-38-4

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, without the publisher’s written permission. Such written permission must also be obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system of any nature. Permission requests should be directed to 4Schools, 89F Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, D11 F98N, Republic of Ireland. or info@4schools.ie

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DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my siblings Nicole, Ryan and Caitlyn, my wonderful partner, Stephen Buckley, and my parents, Barbara and Martin.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to Gary Faloon, Katie Murphy and the Examcraft Group, who helped me edit and re-edit this book.

Introduction

Introduction to Digital Media Literacy is a three-year textbook that meets the ‘Junior Cycle Digital Media Literacy’ short course specifications and requirements.. There are twenty-eight learning outcomes that are divided evenly across four strands. The strands are: My digital world, Following my interests online, Checking the facts and Publishing myself.

In line with the aims of the Junior Cycle specification, this book aims to deepen a student’s ability to use digital technology, communication tools and the internet in a creative, critical, and safe manner. This book contains many activities that scaffold and extend student knowledge about DML.

Young people today are actively manipulating digital media to participate in social and cultural life. Making and sharing media has become an increasingly important feature of how young people communicate and engage with each other and with the broader world. For them, posting, liking, sharing and searching are ways they participate in their communities and socialise. This short course offers students opportunities to explore and discover the information and knowledge accessible online, enabling them to pursue their interests, express themselves online and solve problems relevant to their lives. Students learn to use digital technology, communication tools, and the internet to engage in self-directed inquiry in studying digital media. As students develop their digital literacy skills, they improve their capacity to know what they are looking for, what information to ignore or discard, and how to identify what can be useful or significant. They learn to discriminate between the multiple sources of information available online and to challenge the views they find there. They learn how to create, collaborate and communicate effectively and understand how and when digital technologies can best support these processes.

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Digital Media Literacy specification

This book will provide a framework for teachers to teach their students about the four strands of digital media literacy. Digital media literacy is appropriate for Junior Cycle short course or as a Transition Year module.

CHAPTER 1

My Digital Life

LEARNING INTENTION

To reflect on and describe your use of digital technologies, communication tools and the internet in your day to day life.

of teens age 13 to 17 go online daily

of teens use more than one social networking site

LEARNING OUTCOME

1.1 Describe how teens use digital technologies, communication tools and the internet in their lives.

Teenagers today have grown up alongside the internet and have experienced the development of digital technologies and digital communication tools. According to a 2015 Pew Internet and American Life Project survey, 92% of teens aged 13 to 17 go online daily, and 71% use more than one social networking site. Sales of personal use digital technologies such as smart phones and smart watches have expanded dramatically over the last decade. Digital communication tools, including texting applications (such as WhatsApp) and social networking sites (like Instagram), play a significant role in our lives. These technologies allow us to easily and quickly communicate with friends and family. The internet is a treasure trove of information. Learning how to reflect on how we spend our time using it is very important.

Digital technologies

Digital technologies are a broad name for any software - or sometimes hardware - containing a computer or a microcontroller. See examples below.

EBOOKS

TABLETS

The Internet

The internet is a system of computers that are connected using satellites to spread information.

Digital communication tools

A digital communication tool is software that allows two or more people to communicate. Communication could be in writing, verbal or visual. See examples below.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

PROFESSIONAL MEDIA:

Facebook

LinkedIn Skype Email Snapchat Twitter

ONLINE BANKING

SMARTPHONES

SMARTWATCHES

LAPTOPS

VIDEO STREAMING SERVICES

ACTIVITY 1: DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY SURVEY

How much do you use digital technology? Highlight the answers that apply to you.

1. I have a phone

a) Yes

b) No

c) Sometimes

2. I use my phone more than four hours per day

a) Yes

b) No

c) Sometimes

3. I use social media (e.g. Snapchat Instagram, TikTok)

a) Yes

b) No

c) Sometimes

4. I spend more than four hours on social media at the weekend

a) Yes

b) No

c) Sometimes

ANSWER KEY:

Mostly As Internet fanatic

You love the internet, digital technologies, and social media. You always have your phone charged and ready to log in to view the latest content.

5. I know how to use a streaming service (e.g. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+)

a) Yes

b) No

c) Sometimes

6. I use music streaming services (e.g. YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music)

a) Yes

b) No

c) Sometimes

7. I have bought an item or service because of recommendations online

a) Yes

b) No

c) I don’t think so

8. I have internet access in my home

a) Yes

b) No

c) Sometimes

Mostly Bs Internet sceptic

You are not the biggest fan of the internet and digital technologies.

9. I have internet data on my phone (e.g. 4G)

a) Yes

b) No

c) Sometimes

10. I own/ have owned a smart watch

a) Yes

b) No

c) Not sure

11. I have a blog

a) Yes

b) No

c) I used to

12. I have used Wikipedia to read about a topic that interests me

a) Yes

b) No

c) Not sure

13. I have posted on a forum looking for advice

a) Yes

b) No

c) Not sure

Mostly Cs

Partial to the internet

You have a balanced relationship with the internet, digital technologies and social media, and actively try not to spend too much time using it.

Digital communication tools are various ways to communicate over the internet.

These include:

EMAIL

An email is a software that requires the use of computer hardware (e.g. laptops, mobile phones) to send and receive electronic letters through the internet or network. Over the past 25 years, email software has been developed to how we know it and recognize it today.

SMS

SMS stands for Short Message Service (text messages). Texting is used primarily for quick, short communication. It is a software technology that can be used on mobile devices and computers.

MMS

MMS or Multi Messaging Service is a term used to describe when text messages are accompanied by visuals in the form of an image, video clip or sound.

VOICE-OVER-INTERNET PROTOCOL (VOIP)

This range of technologies allows face to face and verbal communication over the internet. This software has expanded using social media tools such as WhatsApp, Viber, Snapchat and Facebook messenger.

INSTANT MESSAGING (IM)

IM is also referred to as ‘Chat’. It is a software that allows a series of typed messages sent very quickly from the internet to another communications device. Facebook Messenger and Microsoft Teams are examples of instant messaging.

ACTIVITY 2: RESEARCH TIME

Using the Google search engine, find the answers to the questions listed in the table below.

What company developed it first?

What are some uses of the digital media tool?

What year was it developed?

How I use this tool?

(What social media websites)

What do I use this tool for?

ACTIVITY 3: RESEARCH AND WALKING DEBATE

There is a debate about who created email and when. Research who created email and outline who you think created email and give reasons for your answer.

i) Who created email?

ii) Reasons why I think that

Social media are internet-based communication tools that allow users to set up an account and often combine IM, VoIP and MMS. There is usually a feed of content that users can post about themselves. In recent years social media has had a large role to play in advertising and politics.

ACTIVITY 4: SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Choose a social media platform you are familiar with and note down all the digital communication tools it uses.

i) My most used social media platform is:

ii) The built-in digital communication tools are:

ACTIVITY 5: CHARTS

i) Examine the chart above and list

• The most popular social media app in 2016:

• The third most popular social media app in 2016:

• The approximate number of people who had accounts on YouTube in 2016:

ii) Research how many users use these platforms today. Create a bar chart comparing the two figures.

iii) Research how many users are on four social media platforms of your choice. Represent these numbers in a bar chart.

Creating a Chart in Microsoft Word

Blogging is an influential platform to create content that appeals to you and your target audience. Some people have become famous influencers, such as James Patrice. Patrice started his rise to fame on Snapchat, giving his followers fashion advice. After that, he set up his blog, which garnered more than 150,000 followers. He has since become editor of a male fashion magazine (MFI) and is often seen on Exposé sharing his clothing knowledge. TUTORIAL:

https://vimeo.com/578067508/313f76cec8

Blogging is an older style of social media. Blogging websites allow people to register using their email address to create a website, post news about their lives, and express their interests. Two of the most popular blogs are Wordpress.org and Blogging.com

BLOGS DEAL WITH A VARIETY OF CONTENT

So-Sue-Me is an Irish fashion and lifestyle blog www.sosueme.ie/fashion/cardi-bae

Political blogs

www.theguardian.com/profile/michaelwhite+politics/ blog

Go Nintendo is a gaming blog www.gonintendo.com

James Patrice

ACTIVITY 6: BLOGGING

i) Choose a blog that interests you from the list on previour page.

So-Sue-Me is an Irish fashion and lifestyle blog www.sosueme.ie/fashion/cardi-bae

Political blogs

www.theguardian.com/profile/michaelwhite+politics/blog

Go Nintendo is a gaming blog

Sports blogs

www.gonintendo.com

www.thefootballab.co.uk

Read three blog posts on their website and note:

• What kind of language do they use? (informal, formal, emojiis)

• What type of content do they promote? (make up, fashion, gaming)

• What types of media do they have on their blog? (text, video, etc)

ii) Follow the tutorial below to set up your own blog.

Write your own blog post about a topic that interests you. It could be gaming, films, fashion, sports, or any other topic that interests you. It is not recommended for minors under 18 to create a blog about their day to day life as it is an increased internet security risk.

TUTORIAL: BLOGGING

We will begin by setting up a blog on www.wordpress.org.

A wiki is a web page that contains an open-editing system. Anybody with a computer and internet connection can alter and update the information if they have an account registered on the website. The most famous wiki is Wikipedia. www.wikipedia.org

Forums or internet boards are websites that can be used for discussion in the form of posted messages. Usually, the moderator must approve the posted message to ensure that it fits in the forum’s theme. One post with replies is called a ‘thread’ or a ‘topic’. Some examples of forums include:

Ask about money - www.askaboutmoney.com

Boards - www.boards.ie

Reddit - www.reddit.com

ACTIVITY 7: EXPLORATION AND ANALYSIS

i) Can you think of any reason why Wikis may not be the most reliable sources of information?

ii) Visit one forum website listed above and discover three different threads or topics on the forum.

A podcast is a digital communication tool that is often used to spread information orally around the internet. Audio is created to be uploaded and shared on the internet using a microphone.

Many different software applications can be used to create podcasts. Garageband and Audacity are popular podcasting applications. They are free to use software that can be downloaded onto your device. They can record voice, play sounds in the background, and be edited like a professional. In addition, many podcasts are uploaded to Youtube, Spotify or Audible.

Podcasts can cover many topics such as celebrity gossip, sports, fashion, news or lifestyle.

TIPS FOR CREATING PODCASTS

Š Theme music – music that is used to tell the listener that the podcast is beginning and ending. Theme music should only be approximately 20 seconds in length.

Š Knowledge – The presenter must know the subject matter that they are speaking about in detail.

Š Clear diction – the presenter must speak clearly and slowly to ensure that they are understood.

Š Content – The content must be interesting to the audience

Š Target audience – The presenter must decide who they are aiming their podcast at and make sure they speak in language appropriate to the audience. E.g. if the presenter was making content aimed at teenagers, they would not speak to them the same way they would speak to children.

ACTIVITY 8: PODCASTING

i) Search the internet for a podcast on a topic that interests you. Listen to the podcast and then fill out the table below:

Theme music – what type of music do they choose to introduce the topic?

Knowledge – does the presenter know the topic very well?

Diction – does the presenter speak clearly?

Content - do you find their content interesting?

Target audience – who is their target audience and are they speaking appropriately to that demographic?

ii) In pairs, create a podcast using the software of your choice (Garageband, Audacity or phone recording) discussing how the internet affects your life.

TIPS FOR PODCASTING

Š Consider the target audience for this podcast.

Š Decide what kind of language you should use.

Š Choose theme music.

Š Plan what you will say (main points).

Š Record your podcast.

Š Upload your podcast to your cloud storage, e.g. One Drive, Google Drive.

Š Share your podcast on your blog and eLearning website.

Š Do not share any personal identifiable information.

Š Make sure your content is appropriate.

Š Use theme music that is not copyright protected. Under ‘fair use’, you can use any song if it does not exceed thirty seconds in length.

TUTORIAL: PODCASTING

Follow the tutorial while opening your own Audacity software and familiarize yourself with where and how to use the different functions.

ACTIVITY 9: REFLECTION JOURNAL

Upload a word document to your eLearning platform detailing how you use digital technologies, digital communication tools and the internet in your day to day life.

Digital technologies

Website

Application

Smart watch

eBooks

Video streaming services

Music streaming services

Podcasting services

Smart phones

Laptop/tablet/p.c./ Mac

Gaming consoles

YouTube

News websites

Blogs

Wikis

Forums

Email

Social media platforms

Š Digital technologies are a broad name for any software or hardware that contains a computer or uses the internet, e.g., websites, applications, ebooks.

Š A digital communication tool is software that allows two or more people to communicate. Communication could be in writing, verbal or visual, e.g. Social Media

Š The internet is a system of computers connected using a network of either satellites, fibres or cables to communicate information.

Š Email is electronic mail.

Š SMS stands for ‘Short Messaging Service”.

Š MMS or ‘Multi Messaging Service’ is a term used to describe when text messages are accompanied by visuals in the form of an image, video clip or sound.

Š VoIP is also known as Voice over Internet Protocol. This allows face to face, multimedia, and verbal communication over the internet e.g. Facetime, Skype.

Š IM or Instant Messaging is a software that allows a series of typed messages to be sent very quickly from the internet to another communications device, e.g. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BLOGGING

Informal language

Personalised to your interests

WordPress.org

CHARACTERISTICS OF WIKIS

Formal language

Wide variety of subjects

Wikipedia.org

CHARACTERISTICS OF FORUMS

Informal language

Wide variety of subjects to seek advice

Example: Reddit.com

CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-QUALITY PODCASTS

Target audience – know who your audience is.

Content – make interesting content.

Knowledge – know what you are talking about.

Diction – speak clearly and slowly.

Theme music – interesting music to generate excitement from your audience.

Uses Audacity, Garageband etc.

Introduction to Digital Media Literacy is a response to the specifications and requirements of the Junior Cycle, Digital Media Literacy short course. While a designated short course for Junior Cycle the course can also be delivered within Transition Year.

The book provides a framework for teachers to teach the four strands of the digital media literacy course, these being:

Š My digital world

Š Following my interests online

Š Checking the facts

Š Publishing myself.

The book is highly interactive with numerous links via QR codes to external videos and resources. It aims to bring together print and digital technology in a new and engaging manner while seeking to deepen the ability of students to use digital technology, communication tools and the internet in a creative, critical, and safe manner.