1/28 Reflection

The “Critical Media Literacy is Not an Options” article’s main point is that education cannot ignore the other ways in which information is provided in the 21st century besides print. The author proposes the idea of critical media literacy which explores how social groups are represented in media, includes various media sources, and allowing students to engage with media. Engagement includes analyzing the social and political contexts of the media, sharing opinions about it, and collaborating. The “Teaching Social Studies With Video Games” article states that using video games in the classroom can lead to students applying concepts they learned in class and critical thinking in relation to the material. It also talks about the lack of resources for teachers who want to implement video games into their classrooms as it is still a controversial and new idea. “Political Internet Games – Engaging an Audience” discusses the three reasons game developers make political games: to inform, persuade and encourage players to take action. About half the players in the study said that they would talk about the issues presented in these games to their friends or encourage their friends to play these games. This shows that the games were effectively encouraging action and increasing awareness of social issues. The “Creating Critical Play” article goes over a game in NYC called SOBA where players had to interact with community members and non-tourist areas which led them to have a better understanding of the communities in NYC. The article points out that games can be an avenue to learn and discuss more about social issues.

What stuck out to me about the first article was when they discuss a UCLA course where the professor had her students make websites or videos related to topics they thought were misrepresented (or not represented) in typical media sources. I have never done a project like this, but I wish I had because it seems like it would lead to critical engagement with media sources and a better understanding of the world. I liked that what the students learned from the project was directly applicable to the real world. The last article “Creating Critical Play” was interesting to me because it talked about how games are a way for people to place themselves in other people’s shoes and how this builds an understanding of different perspectives. Although I have never used games in this way in schools, my high school English teachers used this approach in the books they chose to teach. Because of this teaching approach, I have a better understanding of many social issues. It would be really interesting to use games in this way.

My question for the class is: Have you ever interacted with media that has inspired you to learn more about a social issue?