Media Literacy in Action: Questioning the Media

“This is the best media literacy textbook on the market. It's the book I've been waiting for.” – Jonathan Nichols-Pethick, Depauw University

There's never been a more important time to develop media literacy awareness. When we ask critical questions about the media we consume, we develop fundamental knowledge and critical thinking skills that prepare us for life, work, and meaningful citizenship.

Creators and consumers of content have the power to shape the media world while also protecting themselves from dependence on instant gratification and privacy and safety vulnerabilities. To thrive in a media-saturated society, we need to ask critical questions about what we watch, see, listen to, read, and use. This book gives us those tools.

Key features of the second edition
-Critical examination of AI technologies, algorithmic personalization, data privacy and surveillance, and the increased global regulation of digital platforms
-Celebration the positive impact users and creators can have on the media world while also addressing important privacy and safety concerns
-Question-oriented content gets students critically engaged with content they are consuming and creating
-Full-color presentation with media examples from advertising, TV, social media, video games, etc., and timelines, data charts, and visual frameworks

Each chapter includes
-Media Literacy Trailblazers: Profiles of key thinkers and their theories bring media literacy to life
-Media Literacy DISCourse (NEW): “Authors and Audiences”, “Messages and Meaning”, and “Representations and Realities” frameworks guide critical questions about specific examples like social media challenges, police abuse footage, fan theories of popular movies, and WhatsApp revenue reports.
-Learning in Action (NEW): Summary and vocabulary sections and Analyze, Create, Reflect, and Act activities apply ideas from each chapter.

Supplemental materials available at MLAction.com
-Students can review key ideas, learn about more Media Literacy Trailblazers, and watch videos aligned with each chapter
-Instructors can access a Teacher's Guide of best practices, in-class activities, homework, and projects.
-Also available are chapter summaries, lecture slides, YouTube playlists, and test materials.