Because media literacy has been described as a “constellation of competencies,” diverse approaches have been used to measure it. Media literacy education includes the paradigms of empowerment and protection, which are used to conceptualize the potential benefits and risks of growing up in a media-saturated society. Performance- or competency-based measures examine the ability to critically analyze and/or create media, whereby learners engage in the practice of evaluating the message content, format, and techniques used to attract and hold attention. For example, in self-report measures, learners rate or agree with various statements that reflect attitudes, knowledge, or behaviors. Each approach to measuring media literacy competencies embodies core values in relation to a particular set of goals, contexts, and situations. Research is emerging that examines the intersection of cognitive and affective domains and the role of teacher motivations in shaping the learning outcomes and opening new opportunities to advance the field.
