Media Literacy Through Filmmaking: International Media Literacy Research Symposium 2024

I was not sure I would make it onto the airplane to the Azores to present my work on Media Literacy Through Filmmaking at the 2024 International Media Literacy Research Symposium. This conference happens every two years, and I was excited to share my work with the international group I met in 2022 when I first presented in Madison, Wisconsin. But this year I was in the hospital the same morning I was to fly out! At the last minute I was given a reprieve and able to attend!

Navigating a foreign country is difficult at the best of times (especially if you don't speak the language), but being in a weakened state was daunting. I landed and disembarked onto the old-fashioned tarmac and found my way to the rental car desk easily enough. My english was not a problem as the staff were kind and helpful. I did need a bit of help with getting my rental car into reverse. (I was relieved my mom made me learn on a manual back in high school!)

Then came the navigating to my lodgings from the highway with the breathtaking views of the coastline (Ponta Del Gato is a Portuguese island in the middle of the Atlantic). The island is an ancient volcano and surroundings are exotic and picturesque. I navigated my way into the city, the roads became narrow and were made of cobblestones. Lining the sidewalks were a maze of tile patterns, dizzying to take in. Cars were parked along narrow streets with virtually no space to maneuver. I followed my GPS, grateful for and cognizant of this technology (which contrasted the big maps that had been the only way to navigate back in the day.) Still, when I arrived (so said the computer voice), I had no idea which way to go.

My hotel was not obvious in view, and the parking an unknown equation. I was weak and ill and afraid. Suddenly, a stranger came behind me, speaking rapidly in Portuguese. He was kind, I could tell from his voice, but impassioned with whatever he was saying. Soon, I realized he was explaining about parking the car, how to go across the street, put in my license plate, go inside the nearby shop for change, and finally put the ticket into my car window. Somehow, I was able to follow his every instruction and managed to leave the car to find my hotel.

There were virtually no obvious advertisements, only I knew it was a hotel based upon one large H outside the building. There is nothing resembling the type of advertising and signage that accompanies business establishments in the USA. Roads are marked with the same tiles that were used to designate the paths which guides ancient sailers to their ships after a night out.

These visual patterns that negotiate direction are all laid out in a dazzling and aesthetic manner. The cobblestones and tile circle pocket parks filled with more tiled designs and ancient flowering trees and shrubs. Everywhere seems care is taken to add beauty to everyday life. Without fussiness or perfection. There is a quality to the beauty which creates an atmosphere of relaxed- and friendly-going about one's business.

I made it into the hotel, and again there was communication without speaking the same language. Another instance of impromptu communication--creating meaning without words. The tiles that communicated sailors back to ships, and the hand gestures/body language to communicate where to go and what to do in a foreign land when you don't speak the language. All of this was my introduction into the international media literacy conference where these topics were to be considered, but in a formal academic setting.

Fast forward to the event.

As soon as the conference speakers began their presentations, and the people around me pulled closer to the topics at hand, I forgot about my health and immersed myself into the camaraderie of like-minded individuals from all over the world. We might all speak different languages, but our passion for bringing clarity of modern communication to the forefront of education unites us. I recognized many people from the conference in 2022 and felt at home in this foreign land with what I characterize as my tribe. I was concerned with doing a good enough job presenting my program: Media Literacy Through Filmmaking as I had been ill the weeks leading up. I could only do my best, and so let go of expectations. I had previewed my work with a former student the week before I traveled, and she gave me the thumbs up. Truthfully, that is how I gauge my success with education is through the feedback of current and former students. I am fortunate to have many former students who stay in touch and work with me on projects. Some of my former students have become teachers themselves--(and filmmakers, photographers, even doctors and lawyers!). I felt my presentations were well-received, especially with the student attendees.

My program can be boiled down to the idea that once a student creates media, they become media literate! The mere act of writing, shooting, editing, producing, directing, performing, animating, storyboarding, scripting, titling, interviewing, framing, etc all demonstrate the process by which the student creating the work will comprehend how the media came to be. They are then able to assign the same construction to media that they consume. My program guides students through this procedure, step by step, element by element, building a vocabulary of media literacy as the process is experienced.

I am grateful I was able to make this conference and for the opportunity to immerse myself in the language and practice of media literacy in the presence of researchers and practitioners from all over the world. I hope I can make the next conference and able to present my current work which is an open educational resource I am developing.

Please stay tuned for updates through the fall and let me know if you have any questions about my program.

Thanks for reading!