Digital Media Literacy of Communication Arts Students, Lampang Rajabhat University

Abstract

          This research aims to study 1) the situation of digital media literacy and 2) level of digital media literacy of Communication Arts students studying at Lampang Rajabhat University. The digital media literacy is divided into 3 elements: (1) media accessibility (2) understanding, interpretation and evaluation of media content (3) creative expression and interaction with the media. Survey research methods was used to collect questionnaires from simple random sampling with sample size of 78 students, combined with focus group of 8 students.

          The results regarding the situation of digital media literacy are as follow: the students understand that media literacy is the ability to understand how journalism works; know the positive and negative effects of the media; have discretion; avoid using the media in the wrong way. The most popular media used are Facebook and various online news websites. The students use the media to study. They perceive and are interested in politics but do not express opinions. In general Communication Arts students of Lampang Rajabhat University have a medium level of digital media literacy. The most knowledgeable media literacy element is media accessibility, followed by the element of understanding, interpretation, evaluation of media content and the element of creative expression and interaction with the media, respectively. Most students have a low level of frequent use of digital media in negative aspects.

          The results of group discussions concludes that most students understand that ‘digital media literacy’ means the ability to understand how mass media worked, to know the positive and negative impacts of media, to have critical judgment, and to avoid using the media in the wrong way. But they still do not understand what the elements of media literacy are.