Blogspot: What are the similarities and differences between visual literacy and media literacy?

According to Wikipedia, “visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image. Visual literacy is based on the idea that pictures can be “read” and that meaning can be communicated through a process of reading.” In the article, “The Changing Nature and Uses of Media Literacy,” media literacy is defined as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create messages across a variety of contexts. These two concepts are related because they both have to do with things in a visual nature. In both types of literacy, there is some type of message trying to be conveyed.
Although these two have some similarities, media literacy involves a more active and engaged role. Visual literacy seems to be more of a static idea where an image is interpreted and understood, but higher level thinking skills aren’t utilized as much. In the article, “Media Literacy-A National Priority for a Changing World,” the authors bring up the idea that media literacy, “is needed now, urgently, to assure that our citizens are equipped to make the decisions and contributions a global economy and global culture demand of them.” This is showing that media literacy encompasses much more than just a visual image. Media literacy can include all types of systems to convey a message including oral, verbal, etc. Media literacy is much more involved and makes students more active and engaged learners. While visual literacy might include all types of visual materials and audiovisual tools, media literacy would include that and also more technological tools. Media literacy is an important part of education and will continue to be an evolving and changing concept.