NMSSA 2022: Hidden Messages – Critical thinking in media contexts Publications
Publication Details
In 2022, NMSSA explored students’ critical thinking strategies in a range of contexts, including analysis of advertising texts presented on media platforms. About 1800 students participated in two of these tasks reported here
Author(s): Educational Assessment Research Unit and New Zealand Council for Educational Research. Report for the Ministry of Education.
Date Published: September 2023
Introduction
Critical thinking in the health and physical education (PE) learning area
Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum (1999)[1] defines critical thinking as ‘examining, questioning, evaluating, and challenging issues and practices’ and critical action as ‘action based on critical thinking’.
The central importance of being able to think critically when learning in health and PE in New Zealand cannot be underestimated, or understated[2].
Health messages on media platforms
The purpose of marketing is to promote and sell products, generally by associating them with idealised and aspirational values which convey the impression that success and happiness can be secured by purchasing a product[3].
For New Zealand students, developing the skills to challenge this assumption is important. In a 2022 study from University of Otago researcher Dr Louise Signal4 reported that NZ children are exposed to around 550 market brands each day.
Footnotes
- Ministry of Education. (1999). Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum. Ministry of Education: Wellington.
- Robertson,J. Underlying concepts in health and physical education. NZHEA
- Smart,B. (2010). Consumer society: critical issues and environmental consequences. SAGE: London.
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