Seeking Knowledge Through Global Media

Abstract

What can be known about the world through global media? This study explores student responses to media that depicts world issues and events in two focus groups. We examine the use of dynamic visual texts in particular, or those that are accessible, interactive, and fluid, as a way of understanding what knowledge students derive from viewing the world. Qualitative data suggests that three areas of knowledge are most salient for students in this study, namely personal/cultural, testimonial/scientific, and deliberative/action. We draw from this analysis that while dynamic visual texts have certain advantages over traditional texts in expanding student knowledge of the world, they alone do not constitute comprehensive global learning. Pedagogical suggestions are offered that parallel the insights gained from the data of this study.