Renee Hobbs (2011) defined Critical Media Literacy (CML) as the ability to recognize the influence of media on society and to take a proactive stance in consuming and producing media.

CML comprises 5 key competencies (Hobbs & Cooper-Moore) -
the abilities to access, analyze, compose, reflect, and take action.

What is Critical Media Literacy?
Critical Media Literacy (CML) is the ability to access, analyze, reflect, evaluate, and compose messages across a variety of media.

Students' abilities to log on and search are no longer adequate; they need to be able to reflect upon what they are reading, accept or reject it, reframe it, and communicate their understanding in new ways (Livingstone, 2004).

Why Is It Critical?
  • Elementary students are using media and technology regularly, on average 4-6 hours a day (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2020).
  • Elementary students often don't have the skills and tools to navigate and process all the digital information they are receiving.

Let's Look at CML Skills

Access

Develop listening skills and reading comprehension, use appropriate technology, ask questions, gather information.

Analyze

Understand symbols, recognize types of messages, identify authorship, message purpose, audience, quality, and credibility.

Compose

Develop speaking and listening skills, communicate point of view in creative ways to inform, persuade, and entertain.

Reflect

Engage in socially appropriate behavior, use good judgment, demonstrate leadership, integrity, and accountability.

Take Action

Participate in community, share ideas with others, respect differences, collaborate to solve real-world problems (Hobbs & Cooper Moore, 2013).

These competencies are embedded of our current curriculum outcomes. Teaching and learning these skills using media and technology requires commitment, support, and resources on the part of our government.
As professionals advocating for successful futures for our students, we must insist that media literacy education be made a priority in Alberta.