Introduction to Media and Information Literacy
🗞️Name: Sir Blakes
In this episode, let’s delve into the world of media information literacy, think smart, and create smart. In our last episode, you learned in an impressive way the basic components of media information literacy and its relevance to communities. Now let’s briefly review what you’ve learned so far.
Do you remember the previous lesson? Let’s try answering a few questions to check your understanding. 🤔
Question 1: What would you call the communication channel or tool used to store and deliver information?
-a) Media
– b) communication
– c) Point of sale
– d) Tools
Correct answer: a) media
Question 2: How would you describe what is conveyed during the communication process?
– a big one
– b) correct
– c) Message
-d) Next
Correct answer: c) message
Now let’s move on to the next part of the course. In this episode, we dive deeper into the topic of media and information literacy. We will look at the similarities and differences between media literacy, technology literacy, and information literacy.
Media and Information Literacy
In today’s technologically advanced world, media and information are vital to our daily lives. They’re in almost everywhere we go and everything we do. As discussed in the previous episode, we know that media literacy, technology literacy, and information literacy are interrelated.
We also need to understand the characteristics of individuals who are media, technology and information literate. 📚
Let’s get warm. Let’s do a quick activity. 🗒️
You know the saying “all good things come hard”? Just like a healthy lifestyle, it is recommended that we consume all foods in appropriate amounts for optimal functioning. This also applies to our media consumption.
Let’s look at the list of questions to determine if we’re consuming the right amount of media.
Create media usage log
Step One: You need writing materials.
Step 2: Draw a table with 2 columns and 5-10 rows. Label the first column “Media” and the second column “Hours per week.”
Step 3: Write the media you used in the first column and the number of hours you spent on that media in the second column.
Step 4: After recording your media usage, add up the average time you spent using the media and enter the total in the last row of the second column.
What is your media agreement? Check your answers and let’s see the results. 📊
The following is an example media usage log:
|Media|Hours worked per week |
|——–|———-|
|Mobile| 8 |
|TV | 7 |
|Broadcasting|5|
|Internet| 20 |
|Books|3|
|Overall average | 43 | 43
How much time do you spend using media? Share your answers by taking a snapshot of the media usage log using your phone camera and uploading the file to our official Facebook page “DepEd TV – Official” and using the hashtags #MediaUseLog #MIL #EP2.
Now that you have completed creating a media usage log, you will understand how much time you spend using media. Online activity has increased significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Media is primarily used to convey information, educate, entertain, and interact with society. It is also commonly used in education. Social media addiction is certainly a culprit, but the frequency of media consumption and exposure leaves us vulnerable to common but serious problems such as media addiction, misinformation, disinformation, identity theft, and cyberbullying.
This is the main reason why we need to learn the three basic skills of media literacy, information literacy and technology literacy. Especially in today’s generation, which is heavily influenced by the media, it is important to critically process the information we are exposed to.
Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of people who are media, information and technology literate. This will help us become responsible and critical thinkers who use and understand these skills.
Media Literacy
Media literacy is generally understood as the ability to read and write. However, UNESCO has released another, more comprehensive definition. According to UNESCO, media literacy is “the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute printed and written materials in different contexts”.
For example, Paul uses digital tools and devices to complete tasks, browses the Internet for reliable information sites, and synthesizes information by finding and identifying text-based evidence. He then uses multimedia presentations referencing his sources to convey his work and share his work with audiences. Paul and his classmates provide each other with feedback on their work.
Media capabilities are the pulse of life. It’s about absorbing information, reflecting on it, sharing it with others, and connecting with them by sharing what you see, read, think, experience, and feel. As a typical young man, Paul experienced everyday practices associated with literacy.
The next thing we need to be familiar with is the term “reliable source,” which we mention several times in this episode. A reliable source is something or someone we trust. We think this is a trustworthy place or person to come to for something. There are several main criteria for determining whether a source is reliable: accuracy, authority, and coverage.
Accuracy refers to the verification of information. It’s about already knowing the information and finding it in the source.
Authority refers to the credibility of the source. It may be the author or the institution behind the source.
Coverage refers to examining content based on topical relevance to see if it meets our information needs.
Information Literacy
Now let’s take a closer look at information literacy. Information literacy is the ability to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and effectively communicate the needed information in a variety of formats. An information literate person is able to identify, locate, evaluate, and communicate information. You have the skills to exchange information and communicate.
For example, Paul has the ability to organize and share information with his audience. He knows how to communicate the information he gathers effectively.
Finally, we have technological literacy, also known as digital literacy. It is a person’s ability to use technology tools and digital environments responsibly, appropriately and effectively, independently or in collaboration with others. Tech-savvy people are adept at handling online activities and are knowledgeable.
For example, Paul is adept at using laptops and other technology tools. He understands the fundamentals of computing equipment. He has the skills and knowledge to participate online and remains a responsible digital citizen.
In summary, media information literacy actually aims to enable individuals to think critically about the media and information they consume. It engages them in the investigative process and aims to empower them by providing them with the knowledge and skills required to engage with traditional and new technologies. A media literate person must be able to access, analyze, evaluate and create all forms of media. They must also be able to identify required information, locate and evaluate information effectively, and communicate that information in a variety of formats. An information literate person must be able to identify and locate needed information, evaluate its reliability, and communicate that information effectively. Finally, a technologically literate person must be able to use technology tools and participate in online activities responsibly, appropriately, and effectively.
That’s it for today’s episode. Always remember to think smart, create smart and share information responsibly. Join us next time on MOE TV!
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