A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effects on the Identity of Muslims (Part 7)
Examining the Impact of Media on Education and Training
In the early days, print media was in its most basic form, with messages inscribed on skins, wood, and stones. Other types of media emerged gradually through various phases of invention and development. There was a time when the book was considered the most significant medium of communication among the world’s nations. Divine religions and prophets, as messengers of Allah, began their teachings with books and disseminated their messages to the people through them. For some of these messengers, their mission started with revelations written in holy texts. Sacred texts such as the Psalms of David, the Gospel of Jesus, the Torah of Moses, and the Quran of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them) serve as key communication tools of their times, playing crucial roles in guiding the followers of each faith.
With scientific advancement, the scope of media broadened and expanded. Print media, such as books, magazines, and newspapers, appeared after the invention of the printing press, and their reach gradually widened over time. In the Islamic world, these media initially emerged with high quality and ideal standards; however, unfortunately, their quality declined over time. Meanwhile, in the West and Europe, print media flourished scientifically and remains enriched and substantive, with much of their content rooted in reputable Islamic literature.
As science and technology advanced, so did media, enhancing its quality and capacity. Following print media, new forms such as the telephone, audio recording devices, gramophones, and some educational media like slides emerged over the past one or two centuries. Following these developments, television, radio, and cinema were initially developed in the West and Europe. Today, for nearly a century, these media have been considered crucial tools in education and training worldwide.
With ongoing progress in science and industry, significant achievements have led to the emergence of other types of media, such as the internet, satellites, and computers, which play critical roles in today’s world. Accordingly, this study attempts to discuss the impact of various visual, auditory, print, spoken, and narrative media on education and training, and their influence on youth and families. The extensive reach of media in the modern world and its direct effect on the social behaviors of young people necessitate substantial study and research, as sound education and training are essential foundations for the holistic development and advancement of individuals and societies.
Types of Educational Media
1. Opaque Visual Materials: These include types of images, books (self-study and others), magazines, guides, and the study of charts, diagrams, and maps. (Ahadian, Mohammad. Introduction to Educational Technology)
2. Auditory Materials (Audio Only): These include audio tapes (reels, cassettes, cartridges, discs), radio, telephone, and audio cards.
3. Opaque Audio-Visual Materials (Combination of 1 and 2): These include books with accompanying tapes or discs and other printed materials with audio elements.
4. Transparent Visual Materials (Static): These include slides, films, filmstrips, and transparent overlays.
5. Transparent Audio-Visual Materials (Static): These include films, sound filmstrips, and various slides with audio accompaniment or discs.
6. Moving Audio-Visual Materials: These include sound motion pictures and video films.
7. Moving Visual Materials: These include silent motion pictures (accompanied by subtitles or captions).
8. 3D Materials: These include real objects, models, cutaways, and sections.
9. Human Resources and Situations: These include guest speakers, field trips, role-playing, and more.
10. Computers: These include various computers and terminals with display devices.
11. Satellites: These include various artificial satellites, communication satellites, and television satellites.
