Savoir les médias sans savoir lire

Abstract

From a multiple-literacy perspective, how are media literacy abilities among those with low literacy skills? This action research project—whose aim was to learn more about how adult learners who lack basic literacy skills think critically about the media—found that the way we consider critical thinking is greatly influenced by the mastery of the written word. After several unsuccessful attempts to create a conducive environment for critical thinking in media workshops, conditions that made media literacy either easier or more difficult were identified. This paper tackles one of the main themes that emerged from this study: the importance of spoken communication in the development of critical thinking about the media for persons with low literacy.