Media Impact AEE 440

Philosophical Direction Technology is more than machines -- it is a way of thinking Technology is more than machines -- it is a way of thinking Discourse in the classroom is focused more on “how to” than “why” Discourse in the classroom is focused more on “how to” than “why” McLuhan said that “the medium is the message” McLuhan said that “the medium is the message” New media often generates their own market - need to exist New media often generates their own market - need to exist

New Media Change Social Values Objectives of the technology are imbedded within the technology Objectives of the technology are imbedded within the technology Computer speed is influencing how people define intelligence (response speed) Computer speed is influencing how people define intelligence (response speed) Impact of technology on teaching and learning: Social, cultural and political perspectives

TV Impact on Learning Easily reinforced Easily reinforced Attractive/seductive information source Attractive/seductive information source Models are effective and interesting Models are effective and interesting Unconscious effort of viewers Unconscious effort of viewers

Media Education American Academy of pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Public Education

Media Youth Education Media represents both advantages and health risk for children Media represents both advantages and health risk for children The average child in the US spends >21 hours per week watching TV The average child in the US spends >21 hours per week watching TV This does not include time on the Internet, video & computer games, watching movies This does not include time on the Internet, video & computer games, watching movies Time with media displaces creative, active, & social events Time with media displaces creative, active, & social events

Aggressive Behavior More than 1000 studies concluded that exposure to media violence increases risk of aggressive youth behavior More than 1000 studies concluded that exposure to media violence increases risk of aggressive youth behavior News reports of bombings, natural disasters, and violent crimes can traumatize young children News reports of bombings, natural disasters, and violent crimes can traumatize young children

Some Media Statistics By the age average US child will have viewed 200,000 acts of violence on TV By the age average US child will have viewed 200,000 acts of violence on TV On average acts of violence are shown on Saturday morning cartoons On average acts of violence are shown on Saturday morning cartoons Media violence is especially damaging to children under age 8 - can’t determine fact from fiction Media violence is especially damaging to children under age 8 - can’t determine fact from fiction

Sexual Content Average child is exposed to 14,000 sexual references per year Average child is exposed to 14,000 sexual references per year Few deal with responsible sexual behavior Few deal with responsible sexual behavior - such as birth control or abstinence

Tobacco & Alcohol Tobacco companies spend $6 billion a year promoting Tobacco companies spend $6 billion a year promoting Alcohol companies spend $2 Billion Alcohol companies spend $2 Billion Leading movie characters promote the use of both alcohol and tobacco products on screen Leading movie characters promote the use of both alcohol and tobacco products on screen

Nutrition Increased use of TV has led to a sedentary youth population Increased use of TV has led to a sedentary youth population Obesity in youth and childhood diabetes is growing phenomenon this country Obesity in youth and childhood diabetes is growing phenomenon this country

Positive Impact of Media Campaign Thirteen weeks after the start of anti- drug campaign Thirteen weeks after the start of anti- drug campaign Youth were more aware Youth were more aware Drugs seem scary to youth Drugs seem scary to youth Thought about health effects of drugs Thought about health effects of drugs Helpful to non-users Helpful to non-users Media has less impact than peers Media has less impact than peers

How TV Violence Misleads Youth Violence is often rewarded and seldom has negative consequences Violence is often rewarded and seldom has negative consequences Violence is everywhere Violence is everywhere Violence is justified Violence is justified Violence is funny Violence is funny Violence is pleasurable Violence is pleasurable

Which Young people are susceptible to media violence? If youth identify with one of the characters If youth identify with one of the characters Interpreting what they see as realistic Interpreting what they see as realistic Personal fascination about the characters on a violent show. Personal fascination about the characters on a violent show.

Media Education An educated public has the ability to interpret and determine the purpose of the message An educated public has the ability to interpret and determine the purpose of the message Educated public can make educated decisions regarding media selection Educated public can make educated decisions regarding media selection Educated public allows for positive and prosocial exploration of media uses Educated public allows for positive and prosocial exploration of media uses

A Media-educated Person Understands Media Messages: Are all constructed Are all constructed Shape our understanding of the world Shape our understanding of the world Individuals interpret media messages uniquely Individuals interpret media messages uniquely Powerful economic implications Powerful economic implications

A Media-educated Person Will limit use of media Will limit use of media Make positive media choices Make positive media choices Select creative alternatives to media consumption Select creative alternatives to media consumption Develop critical thinking and viewing skills Develop critical thinking and viewing skills Understand the social, economic and emotional implications Understand the social, economic and emotional implications

Media Education Helps Students: Become less vulnerable to negative aspects of media Become less vulnerable to negative aspects of media Evaluate content more critically Evaluate content more critically Change intentions to drink Change intentions to drink

Pediatricians Should Encourage parents to select appropriate programs for youth Encourage parents to select appropriate programs for youth Co-view and discuss content Co-view and discuss content Limit media time Limit media time Be good role models Be good role models Emphasize alternative activities Emphasize alternative activities Create electronic free zone in children’s rooms Create electronic free zone in children’s rooms

More Recommendations AAP Urge parents to avoid TV for children under age of 2 Urge parents to avoid TV for children under age of 2 Pediatricians should not use TV in waiting rooms Pediatricians should not use TV in waiting rooms Pediatricians should alert and educate parents, school officials, other professionals Pediatricians should alert and educate parents, school officials, other professionals Pediatricians should encourage state and federal officials to develop media education programs Pediatricians should encourage state and federal officials to develop media education programs Pediatricians help to increase funding for media education research Pediatricians help to increase funding for media education research

What impact does media have on you as a…. ? Consumer? Consumer? Parent? Parent? Learner Learner Employee/employer Employee/employer Your project? Your project?

References edia.htm edia.htm update17.html update17.html