Mediawijs.be

1. Media literacy as a competence

In their Concept note Media Literacy (Conceptnota Mediawijsheid) of May 4th, 2012, the Flemish gouvernment defined media literacy as:

“... the whole of knowledge, skills and attitudes with which citizens can consciously and critically move in a complex, changing and mediatised world. It is the capacity for active and creative media use that is aimed at social participation. ”

This definition has been formulated as a competence, ie: (as an individual) having the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to act adequately in a specific situation.

Flanders uses an open and modern vision, with both "creating" and "considering" for all forms of digital and classical media.
At the same time, that formulation is still very general. In any case, every "specific situation" requires clear concretisation of "specific" knowledge, skills and attitudes. But even at the competence level we make the "media literacy" competence more concrete in the Mediawijs Competence Model in two clusters of sub-competencies: "using media" and "understanding media".

2. The 'Using media' competence cluster

By 'using media' we mean active, technical and creative use of media. This ranges from very simple activities such as being able to handle a mouse or saving a document, to more complex actions such as being able to edit a video or creating a vlog or a website. The cluster consists of four subcompetences:

• Operating - pushing the right buttons
  You can perform the physical action (s) required to perform an action through media. We also call that "button knowledge" or material knowledge.
• Navigating - finding your way
  You can orientate between and within the media, you can choose between them, and find your way back.
• Organising - applying a structure
  You can organize the media that you find and use so that they are easier to handle.
• Producing - create media yourself
  You make media yourself.

3. The 'Understanding media' competence cluster

By 'Understanding media' we mean dealing with media consciously and critically. That ranges from seeing what the (im)possibilities of media are and for what purposes they are intended or suitable, to being aware of your own media skills and those of others. We split this into four subcompetencies:

• Observing - seeing the opportunities
  You are aware of how one or more media work, how they work and what their effects, (im)possibilities, reach and goals are.
• Analysing - investigate the underlying
  You can examine the content and consequences of media and think about it critically and creatively.
• Evaluating - evaluate the value
  You can assess the qualitative and quantitative value of media based on your analysis.
• Reflecting - applying to your behavior
  You can view and assess your own or someone else's behavior to make adjustments.

4. Media literacy is a pizza

The circle of media literacy competencies is a continuum, the different competencies flow into one another, are used mixed, sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes in a sequence, other times without a sequence.

You can also compare media literacy with a pizza, with different amounts of each ingredient on each slice. Determine which competencies or ingredients you or your target group already have or want to have to achieve your mission and objectives effectively and efficiently. A child may simply want to take photos him- or herself: for that you must be able to 'operate' (basic button knowledge required), but not necessarily need to 'navigate' or 'organize' (the control of 1 device / medium is sufficient), there is a degree of 'production', though. Step by step, you and your child will start 'observing' and even 'analyzing' the self-made photos (what does it possibly say that the child did not necessarily want to portray?). Occasionally you also 'evaluate' other photos to learn how to make better photos. This way you 'reflect' on your own behavior.

The Mediawijs Competence Model is the result of our quest so far. It's a starting point and a living model with handles to formulate the concrete framework for your own medium, target group and context.

Read the other articles on the Mediawijs Competence Model too!

• The Mediawijs Competence Model
• Start from a broad vision: aiming for happiness
• What media literacy goals do you want to achieve?
• Determine what knowledge, skills and attitudes apply to your context

Questions or remarks?  Let us know!