"In the words of former U.S. Commissioner of Education, Ernest Boyer, 'It is no longer enough to simply read and write. Students must also become literate in the understanding of visual images.'"
"Think of it this way. Would you ever consider walking into a third-grade class on a Monday morning and asking students to write a five-paragraph essay? We prepare students with years of training in writing techniques, vocabulary, and grammar before asking them to produce advanced works of text. However, when it comes to producing media such as video, we see students as digital natives who simply need a device in their hands to create an Oscar-worthy portfolio of work."
Sources for more information on media literacy:
Media has always been a powerful tool for the delivery of complex messages. The iconic and haunting Daisy ad demonstrated how media can move public opinion as far back as the 1964 Presidential elections.