Unit 1. Media Landscape
What do we mean by the "modern media", and how does it work? Identify your media consumption habits and the types of information you engage with. Learn how to differentiate facts from opinions and how to recognize manipulative content.
Welcome to the course!
Information Ecosystem
We live in a time when the media space is rapidly changing. Media now encompasses everything from printed paper to digital content. It includes broadcasting (radio, television), publishing (printed magazines, books, and flyers), and online content (social media, podcasts, blogs, and web articles). Our role in the media has also changed. We are no longer simply passive listeners, readers, and viewers; we are now creators and sharers of information!
Information has become so easily accessible and the volume of information has become so great, that it's no wonder we can sometimes get lost in it. What makes it even more complicated is that some of this information is distorted, manipulated, or just flat out false. The volume of information can be so overwhelming it can make knowing what to believe and which sources to trust an exhausting task.
Unfortunately, today's education system isn't yet ready to provide us with the skills necessary to navigate through this increasingly complex landscape. Media education has not evolved as quickly as the technology we use daily.
We need skills to analyze, evaluate, share, and even create messages. This is the basis of media literacy.
Let's begin by learning about the different types of content and finding out which are intended to inform us, and which to persuade us.
Information has become so easily accessible and the volume of information has become so great, that it's no wonder we can sometimes get lost in it. What makes it even more complicated is that some of this information is distorted, manipulated, or just flat out false. The volume of information can be so overwhelming it can make knowing what to believe and which sources to trust an exhausting task.
Unfortunately, today's education system isn't yet ready to provide us with the skills necessary to navigate through this increasingly complex landscape. Media education has not evolved as quickly as the technology we use daily.
We need skills to analyze, evaluate, share, and even create messages. This is the basis of media literacy.
Let's begin by learning about the different types of content and finding out which are intended to inform us, and which to persuade us.
Types of Content
Did it ever occur to you that some content aims to inform you, while some tries to persuade you to do something or think a certain way?
In this video, you will learn how to identify markers of persuasive content.
In this video, you will learn how to identify markers of persuasive content.
Fact vs Opinion
Take a test and find out if you can distinguish a fact from an opinion
Remember:
A fact is something that is proven to be true.
An opinion is someone's personal belief about something that has not been proven.
A fact is something that is proven to be true.
An opinion is someone's personal belief about something that has not been proven.
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The best way to start your day is good coffee.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyi won Presidential elections in Ukraine in 2019.
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Persuasive content aims to influence and convince the audience of something.
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This summer is hotter than ever.
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This summer is hotter than the last one because the average temperature raised to +35C.
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Ukrainians are forced to emigrate because it became impossible to survive in the country.
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Brazilian coffee is better than Kenyan.
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Democracy is the greatest form of government.
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World War II ended in 1945.
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Social and traditional media nowadays take most of our time.
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Everyone should have a best friend.
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Earth is the third planet from the sun.
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The population of Ukraine decreased from almost 52 million people in 1991 to 42 million people in 2019.
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Next presidential elections in the USA will be held on November 3, 2020.
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Raising taxes is the only way to strengthen the economy. It will definitely help increase the GDP.
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You can do better!
Take another try and look for markers of facts and opinions.
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Not bad!
Next time pay attention to markers of facts and opinions :)
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Good job!
You are almost impossible to trick!
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Excellent!
It's impossible to trick you!
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Consumption Log
What does your typical day look like? Do you wake up and scroll through your newsfeed? Do you listen to your favorite podcasts or watch TV while having breakfast? While doing so, do you check the weather forecast, click on your notifications or the neverending advertisements on social media?
Have you ever thought about how much time you spend consuming information every day? An hour or two? Three? Five? Or even more? Don’t forget about the time you spend watching TV and scrolling through your newsfeed at the same time, or passively listening to the TV or radio that is on in the background.
Let’s count how much time you spend interacting with the media!
Have you ever thought about how much time you spend consuming information every day? An hour or two? Three? Five? Or even more? Don’t forget about the time you spend watching TV and scrolling through your newsfeed at the same time, or passively listening to the TV or radio that is on in the background.
Let’s count how much time you spend interacting with the media!
| Let's start! |
Results
up to 2 hours
You don’t seem to spend too much time interacting with the media. You are not overwhelmed with information and can manage your time effectively. But it’s not just the quantity of information that’s important; finding quality information and using your critical thinking skills are essential. Keep this in mind and learn more in the following units.
Results
from 2 to 5 hours
The media occupies a significant part of your day. You receive quite a lot of information.
Remember to manage the amount of time you spend interacting with the media. It’s not just the quantity of information that’s important; finding quality information and using your critical thinking skills are essential. Keep this in mind and learn more in the following units.
Results
5 to 8 hours
You seem to spend a lot of your day interacting with the media. Too much information noise can overwhelm you and decrease your ability to think critically. Remember to manage the amount of time you spend interacting with the media. But it’s not just the quantity of information that’s important; finding quality information and using your critical thinking skills are essential. Keep this in mind and learn more in the following units.
Results
8 hours and more
Wow! You spend a LOT of time interacting with the media. Are you sure that you are able to process all that information, and stay focused and critical at the same time?
Too much information noise can overwhelm you and decrease your ability to think critically. Remember to manage the amount of time you spend interacting with the media. But it’s not just the quantity of information that’s important; finding quality information and using your critical thinking skills are essential. Keep this in mind and learn more in the following units.
Too much information noise can overwhelm you and decrease your ability to think critically. Remember to manage the amount of time you spend interacting with the media. But it’s not just the quantity of information that’s important; finding quality information and using your critical thinking skills are essential. Keep this in mind and learn more in the following units.
Vocabulary
How many social media accounts do you have? Do you wake up and grab your smartphone right away? Do you scroll the newsfeed while having breakfast or before going to bed? Are you online 24/7?
Try to count how much time do you spend each day on social media and chatting in messengers, or via emails.
Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
Messengers (Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp)