KOTESOL National Conference 2018
Research Report (20 minutes)
Asako Takaesu, Soka University, Japan
Using media literacy to foster critical thinking
Abstract
In today’s increasingly IT dependent society, to avoid falling victim to harmful or misleading information, it is essential to develop media literacy. Media literacy has long been advocated and prescribed in North American and European primary and secondary education. This has been much less so in Japan, and as such, even academically advanced Japanese students have limited knowledge when dealing with news, and often exhibit gross naivety when dealing with various types of information. To combat this, a series of media literacy activities were conducted in a sophomore EAP course, and qualitative research was conducted to measure the results of the activities. The research indicates that most students’ perception of media and their attitude in coping with information underwent a remarkable transformation. This presentation will cover some activities used in class: determining the source and agenda of the sponsors, identifying propaganda tactics in advertisements and political speeches, as well as a poster presentation in which students compare different perspectives on the same issues. The presentation will then detail the results of these activities. By participating in effective awareness-raising activities, the research shows that students improved their critical thinking skills, and began examining news and information from a broader perspective. Finally, it concludes that conducting media literacy activities in college EAP classrooms not only enhances students’ reading and discussion skills, and expands vocabulary, but also deepens their critical thinking ability, a skill essential to survival in our information-laden society.
Biographicals
Asako Takaesu is a lecturer at Soka University in Japan, where she teaches academic writing focused on global issues and practicum in MA TESOL program. Her professional interests include global issues, academic writing, reflective journal writing and use of news in EFL classroom.
See the list of Presentations at the KOTESOL 2018 National Conference
