Weekly Reading 3

• Identify the main arguments
• Explain whether or not you agree or disagree with the main arguments?
• Do what extent do you think that media can be held responsible for low self-esteem in women and violence behavior in men?
• Make connections between the videos and two quotes from the reading

   The main argument in both videos is that the media puts images of “normalcy” of how men and women should look and act. “Television is probably the most important source of political information in our society and is regarded by most people as the most reliable source of news, perhaps because of its ability to present a visual record of events” (Semali, 2001). People rely heavily on what the media tells them and strive to be what it portrays as “normal”.
   From the media men are taught to be strong, intimidating, muscular, and tough. They are taught from a young age from movies, television, and other advertisements that they need to put on a front of toughness. They are not allowed to show their emotions and many men suffer because of this. Men, especially colored men, are often shown in the media as violent which causes men to feel the need to behave that way. Women, on the other hand, are portrayed as objects in the media. Computer touch-ups and airbrushing have produced and ideal image for women to strive towards that is impossible to reach. It teaches women that if they do not look like the flawless models in the images that they are simply not trying hard enough.
   I agree that media has a huge effect on how both men and women view themselves. I do not know if the media images for men directly leads them to be violent, but it definitely causes them to never want to show emotion. Guys have always been pressured by society to be tough and not cry. This tough persona can lead to violence if they feel that their manhood is being threatened. I think that women are more directly affected by the media. It puts an image in their heads of something they will never be able to obtain. Women are constantly trying new diets or buying the latest products to reach a goal that is constantly changing. The fact that they will not ever achieve the images they see all around them makes them feel bad about themselves.  “It is only a matter of time before schools realize that they must teach students to analyze media texts and visual images critically” (Semali, 2001). Unless children are taught early that what they see in the media is not real, the cycle of low self-esteem and violence will continue. 

Sources
Semali, L. M. (2001, November). Defining new literacies in curricular practice. Retrieved from http://www.readingonline.org/newliteracies/semali1/index.html

Magazine Deconstruction

Media language-- Muscular picture of Arnold to show the reader the outcome of following the steps outlined in magazine. It uses bright, contrasting colors to get the readers’ attention. Celebrity portrayed is known to be very fit and strong from roles in movies such as terminator. “Get lean in less time” right in the middle so that the audience will think there is a simple solution to gaining muscles without the hassle of time in the gym. The same concept is with the “20 inch arms in 3 big moves”. It provides a fast solution to a common heath issue in society today. It uses intensity to compare the techniques described in the article to general workouts by stating that following their method instead of others will allow the reader to “burn more fat”. Putting the page numbers for the specific articles on the cover intrigues people to learn the secrets in the magazine.
Institution--Front cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine
Genre--Men’s health magazine
Representation--Arnold is a character associated with strength and toughness in the terminator movies. He is a model for the results a person would hope to obtain by following the easy steps outlined in the magazine. He represents the current stereotype for men who are “attractive”.
Audience--The audience for this magazine is most likely men ages 20-35. Men in this age group would be looking to increase fitness to attract women and show off to other men. It would appeal to those working men in the age range who do not have the time or energy to spend time at the gym. The “stay out of the gym” and “3 big moves” comments support this.
Ideologies and Values--The biggest positive value that this magazine raises is that health and fitness is important. On average Americans are out of shape and are interested in finding a successful workout routine. It gets the reader excited to try a new method to obtain a healthier life. The cover feeds off of the negative ideal that men need to be very muscular to be seen as attractive. It also coincides to the need for instant gratification that everyone today has. People want results fast, which this magazine promises on the cover.
Narrative--This magazine cover tells the end of the story of getting into shape and gaining muscle. It shows what someone can look like if he follows the steps given inside.

Photo Analysis Lesson Plan

Activity #3
Link to lesson plan. CLICK HERE

The activity I found involves students looking at different Fibonacci patterns in nature. To incorporate this lesson, I would have the kids examine the provided picture and discuss the pattern they see within the image. This is a great leeway into the Fibonacci Series of numbers. 

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.

The opportunity for more people to create their own media is negative.  The example at the beginning of the article is using politics.  "In the early 1990s the visual depictions of dead U.S. military personnel, who'd been killed by bands of militants...had a vivid impact on the U.S. public mind."  I realize this is about another country, but if more individual have the potential to create their own media, then the images might have create more negative impacts, especially on a democratic society. 

 

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

Overall I would say visual culture is a bad thing.  We let visual images affect us more than what we should.  Instead of being an individual, we tend to adapt to what we see.  Media can influence people to conform to a worldly image.  "One can observe many examples of such images that have lasting negative impressions on the world stage..."  As of the current time, my viewpoint is influenced by the negative impact of the local visual culture. 

 

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

 

Yes I am a consumer of visual images.  One example is subway. I go to subway all the time because of the way the food looks on their advertisements.  Subway makes the food look appealing and appetizing. 

 

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..."

This quote completely supports the fact that we need to teach media literacy in school.  Students need to be aware of how media changes humanity on a daily basis.  Since media tends to expose different values, human culture eventually changes and adapts to new values.  Kids need to know that society changes and media affects their future. 

 

Sources:

Schnell, J. (2008). Suggestions for Addressing the Increased Emphasis on Visual Imagery over Aural Messages. Media Psychology Review. Vol. 1(1).

Photo Analysis

Activity #2

• Photo 2 gave me the most confidence in President Obama’s leadership abilities. For one reason, he is not the only person in the picture, like photo 1. In the second picture, he is sitting with a US coast guard, who would have been directly exposed to the problem and have witness accounts of the progress of the clean-up. To be an effective leader, this first‑hand knowledge is critical to determine the next step to take. Also in photo 2, Obama’s arms are outstretched as if he is explaining something. He could be presenting methods of how he plans to not only clean up the current oil spill, but prevent future ones from happening. Obama looks puzzled and like he could be listening to someone in photo 1. However, it is impossible to know exactly what it is that he is thinking about. The maps of where the oil spill took place in photo 2 show exactly what the problem at hand is. There is a map in the back ground of photo 1 but because it is so fuzzy and blurred, it is not very noticeable upon first glance. The clean-up pictures in the background of photo 2 show that steps are being taken to resolve the problem even during the meeting. It is hard to tell what is going on in the first photo because it is just a close up of Obama’s face. Adding another person and having a wider camera angle (photo 2) give the viewer the impression of having the “overall” picture of the story. It shows that Obama knows what is happening, is taking the steps to fix the problem, and is preparing to prevent future problems.

• From photo 2 I can infer that the photo is spontaneous. I get this impression because it looks like he is in the middle of a sentence. His hands are in motion as he explains the situation and tries to find a solution. The coast guard in the photo also looks like he in intently listening to what Obama is saying. The biggest give away that this photo was not posed is the microphone in the upper right hand corner of the picture. I also infer that this photo is trying to raise confidence in Obama’s efforts. This problem drug on for longer than it should have and I think that surrounding him with people and pictures of how the problem was being resolved helped the public’s faith in his abilities. The photo gives the impression that he is working on it and that “response” is happening. The first question this photo raises is at what point in the oil spill was this photo taken? Was it right at the beginning or had it been a while? Secondly, what exactly was Obama’s plan at this point in the process? Was he still in the observation stage or was he actually giving productive methods of clean-up? The final question raised is what role will the Us Coast Guard Admiral play in the clean-up? Is he leading the clean-up crew or was he just a first-hand witness to let Obama know what was happening?

 

 

Caption: President Obama devises a plan to address the BP oil spill. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity #3

Link to lesson plan. CLICK HERE

The activity I found involves students looking at different Fibonacci patterns in nature. To incorporate this lesson, I would have the kids examine the provided picture and discuss the pattern they see within the image. This is a great leeway into the Fibonacci Series of numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion #1

VIDEO COMMENTS:

The video is a great example of how we as a society are forcing people to fit into certain bubbles.  One of the first quotes the model said was that image is superficial.  Models are trying to fit into a fake image in order to please the viewers of the program or the product being displayed.

Another side of the movie I like is that the model addresses the fact of people making judgments based upon first appearances.  People can get away with things by the way they look, while other individuals get blamed for situations they had no part in.  The first impressions made on an individual can harm that person emotionally for years.

QUOTES:

 “In the evolving multimedia environment media literacy is arguably more important than ever.” (Kellner & Share, 2005). People need to be medial literate so they can be aware of the damage that can potentially occur.  The lady in the video is a prime example of how media has affected her lifestyle and the way people look at her.  We should not be setting limits on what it takes to be certain role models in society.  One issue this can create is a poor image.  I have noticed students who are doing all it takes to make themselves look like the models on television. 

“…Critical media literacy can promote multicultural literacy…”. If people become media literate, then the doors to multicultural literacy can be opened.  The article goes on to say that “…the need for media literacy that addresses the issue of multicultural and social difference.” (Kellner & Share, 2005). 

Teaching media literacy is important.  Students should be aware of the impact media can have on an individuals’ life.  We as a society are placing standards on media and expect them to meet our needs.  It should be a two way street.  We need to be careful of what we expect because it can cause greater damage to the individual being portrayed, or the person trying to meet the needs of the media. 

Kellner, D., & Share, J. (2005). Toward critical media literacy: Core. Discourse: studies in the cultural politics of education, 26(3), 369-386.

EDUC 6810 Introductory Post

I am from Fairmont West Virginia. I went to North Marion High School and Fairmont State University.  I am currently teaching Math at North Marion.

Here is my Animoto Video

Make your own slideshow at Animoto.

Why is teaching media literacy important?

So the kids can know what they are seeing and make sure it is appropriate.  Kids are all around media literacy.  They need to be able to analyze and determine what is wrong and right. 

What do you want to learn about teaching media literacy?

I want to learn how to appropriately teach media literacy.  I want to be able to allow kids to explore safe areas so they can grow in their education. 

What concerns do you have about teaching media literacy?

My concern is trying to be bias when it comes to sharing information.  I want to make sure kids form their own opinions about things they should watch and what they should believe.