Computers, the Media and Multicultural Education: Seeking Engagement and Political Literacy

Overview & Synopsis

This paper meshes Carr's research on media literacy with Porfilio's research on computer literacy, with both of these areas being focused on the central notion of social justice within a multicultural society. Both researchers teach pre-service teachers, and have an interest in extending multicultural education, which often equates, overlaps with, and complements intercultural education. The key issue probed throughout this paper relates to the potential for (critical) multicultural education to take place in and through attempts to inculcate a media and computer literacy that surpasses simplistic notions of tolerance, respect and basic knowledge of the "Other". The research underscores the need for formal and informal approaches to inculcating media and computing literacy in the classroom, which, ultimately, support a more robust critical multiculturalism in schools.