Trace the origins of media you own. This could be media hardware (game console, smartphone, musical instrument, tablet) or a favourite media experience (game, app, song, movie, post).
Step 1
Consider which media you enjoy using/experiencing and record it by taking a picture, screenshot or video.
Step 2
Focus on one example of one medium and answer the following questions:
- Who owns the media (copyright, platform company, manufacturer, etc)?
- Who produces the hardware on which it runs?
- Who benefits economically (who sold it to you, who distributes it, where did the raw materials come from, where was it manufactured/programmed)?
- What jobs/careers were involved in the making of this media example?
- How was the production paid for?
- What were the costs (to people, environment) of this media?
- Access and read the app’s End User License Agreement to discover what personal information it collects and uses.
Step 3
Using a medium of your choice, represent the journey the media object/experience took to get to you.
Is this a map? Is it a poster? Is it a painting? A podcast? The choice is yours.
Step 4
Write a reflection (1-2 pages) answering the following questions.
- What insights have you gained into your relationship with the media or media experience?
- How might the insights influence your future relationship with the media or media experience?
Step 5
Choose a presentation format for sharing steps 1-4. This could be a report, with images to support the text. This could be a slide presentation using Google slides, or Powerpoint. You might consider and video where you could combine images, words, sounds and visuals. It’s up to you.
Note: If you have chosen one of the following apps, consult with The Association for Media Literacy’s End User License Agreement posters (https://aml.ca/resources/end-user-license-agreements/) to learn the risks and rules regarding the use of the app:Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tinder, YouTube, iTunes, Tumblr, Reddit, Minecraft and Pinterest.