Critical Media Literacy and Transformative Learning

Abstract

The media has a powerful influence on all of us, and has been discussed by critical media literacy scholars largely in K-12 settings. This article explores how, and to what extent, adult educators can draw on popular culture and entertainment media to develop critical media literacy and to facilitate transformative learning around diversity and equity issues, primarily in adult higher education classroom-based settings. It presents a cross-case analysis of the findings related to critical media literacy and transformative learning of three research studies of adult learners and the role of media in higher education around: the notion of pleasure, finding alternative narratives, expanded thinking about marginalized “Others” and hegemonic processes, and new insights through facilitated discussion.