Identifying the Source (21st Century Skills Library: Take a Look! Modern Media Literacy)

From YouTube to yard signs, build media savvy that is up to speed with today's media-rich world.

With teens today spending on average 43 percent of their waking day interacting with media of one type or another, it is more critical than ever that they learn the necessary skills for both consuming and creating content wisely. Part of our Take a Look! Modern Media Literacy series, Identifying the Source takes readers through the process of analyzing media in order to tell fact from fiction. Includes explanation of how misinformation, disinformation, biases, and stereotypes play into the credibility of a source. Gives readers the information they need to start practicing looking critically at the media they consume. Highlights of the book include:

• Uses practical examples with both digital and legacy media
• Engenders critical thinking skills
• Offers tips and tricks for readers to try on their own
• Includes an extension activity

This series gives readers a crash course in basic media literacy skills: understanding audience, perspective, persuasive appeals, author's purpose, tracing sources, and creating media content. Series closely aligned with standards from the American Association of School Librarians and the Journalism Education Association and follows research from the Center for Media Literacy.

Julie Knutson is an author who lives in northern Illinois with her husband, son, and border collie. She prefers her pancakes with Nutella and bananas, her pizza “Detroit-style,” and her mac ‘n’ cheese with little green peas.