Media Literacy has slowly gained momentum both in North America and around the world. We live in a media-saturated world today; our students/children need to know how to decode and comprehend the messages coming at them in the forms of news, commercials, music video, games, fashion, social media and etc. They need to possess the skills to critically examine these messages, understand how to cope with them, and use the New Media tools to their advantages. As Dr. Allan Luke stated: "New (Critical) Literacies are the new basis; it's a matter of survival." (Dr. Allan Luke: The New Literacies)
Media Literacy is not only crucial to 21st century learning; it's also current and engaging when embedded effectively in school programs. The New Media (especially Social Media) goes hand in hand with digital technology; a common tool and language used by the e-generation today. Media Education allows teachers and students to learn together, collaboratively; thus shifting the teacher-centered classroom into one that is student oriented, self-regulated/directed learning common, where authentic curiosity is guided and encouraged towards achieving a shared objective: creating a real world education and a group of critical learners.
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