Use of Creative Drama to Develop Media Literacy Skills.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare media literacy skills before and after the use of creative drama. Data were collected from 30 Mathayom Suksa I students at Boonwattana School, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Media literacy skills tests were used for data collection and statistical analysis presented in terms of mean scores, standard deviation, and descriptive data from the students’ behavior. The results revealed that the students were able to select the best and most suitable media. They could also be able to recognize and understand vocabularies and symbols, to identify facts from news or advertisements, and to truly understand explicit and implicit messages in media. Moreover, the students were able to define good and bad points of dissemination through media and to make sensible decisions about whether the messages made sense. They were open to news that was useful for themselves and others. They could create their own media, express their opinions, and present news openly without bias. The students became competent in criticizing opinions and facts. Others were welcome to participate in criticizing, expressing opinions, and making use of their media. The results of media literacy skills tests obtained after using the creative drama activities were higher than those obtained before using the creative drama activities at the level of .05.