From media literacy to new media literacy: a lens into open and distance learning context

Media literacy, which traditionally aims to help individuals become better-informed users through proper consumption of media messages, has historically been reshaped to reflect the characteristics of the tools that individuals utilize to consume such messages. Information and Communication Tools (ICT) developed in the 21st century, also referred to as the Digital Age, have enabled individuals to become producers of media messages in addition to consumers. Therefore, there has been a need for empirical studies into the concept of media literacy that has evolved into new media literacy with the impact of these new participatory and connective technologies. Within this regard, this study seeks to investigate the new media literacy levels of open and distance learners who primarily depend on ICT to access tertiary education. Besides, the study examines the relationship between demographic information of learners and their new media literacy skills.