Media and Information Literacy

Lesson 1: Introduction to Media and Information Literacy

a. Media Literacy
b. Information Literacy
c. Technology Literacy

Learning Competencies

The learner …

1. Describes how communication is affected by media and information

2. Identifies similarities and differences of media literacy, information literacy and technology literacy
3. Editorializes the value of being a media and information literate individual
4. Identifies characteristics of responsible users and competent producers of media and information
5. Shares to class media habits, lifestyles and preferences

Specific Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson the learners are able to:

K: Define the different effects of media and information to communication. Distinguish media literacy,
information literacy and technology literacy

S: Produce an output that reflects their current use of media and information

A: Appreciate the value of being a media, information and technology literate in everyday life.

Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is represented as the capability to access analyzes and invents
media. It is also mandatory for people to know their human rights as indicated in Article 19 of Universal
Declaration of Human Rights which states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information
and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers”.

What is Media?

As defined from the dictionary, media is the means of communication, as radio and television,
newspapers and magazines, cellphones and internet that reach or influence people widely. It is also important to
take note that media is the plural form of medium of which also reflects the importance of the information in
communication process.

What is Communication?

It is a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of

symbols, signs or behavior.

Communication Process

In order to understand how information flows within a media, we should first know how the basic
communication process works. There are various types of communication models to show us how humans relay
messages to each other. The simplest model is the “Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication”
 NOISE

SENDER MESSAGE CHANNEL RECEIVER

FEEDBACK

The Sender

The communication process begins with the sender, who is also called the communicator or source. The
sender has some kind of information—a command, request, or idea —that he or she wants to share with others.
In order for that message to be received, the sender must first encode the message in a form that can be
understood and then transmit it.

The Receiver

The person to whom a message is directed is called the receiver or the interpreter. In order to
comprehend the information from the sender, the receiver must first be able to receive the sender's information
and then decode or interpret it.

The Message

The message or content is the information that the sender wants to relay to the receiver.

The Channel

Also called the medium, the channel is the means by which a message is transmitted. Text messages, for
example, are transmitted through the medium of cell phones.

Feedback

The communication process reaches its final point when the message has been successfully transmitted,
received, and understood. The receiver, in turn, responds to the sender, indicating comprehension. Feedback
may be direct, such as a written or verbal response, or it may take the form of an act or deed in response.

Other Factors

The communication process isn't always so simple or smooth, of course. These elements can affect how
information is transmitted, received, and interpreted:

Noise: This can be any sort of interference that affects the message being sent, received, or understood.
It can be as literal as static over a phone line or esoteric as misinterpreting a local custom.

Context: This is the setting and situation in which communication takes place. Like noise, context can
have an impact on the successful exchange of information. It may have a physical, social, or cultural aspect to
it.

Media, Information and Technology Literacy

Literacy

It is the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute using printed or
written materials associated with varying contexts. It involves a continuum of learning, wherein individuals are
able to achieve their goals, develop their knowledge and potential and participate fully in their community and
wider society.

Media Literacy

It is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create reflect and act using all forms of communication. It
aims to empower citizens by providing them with competencies (knowledge and skills) necessary to engage
with traditional media and new technologies

Information

A broad term that covers processed data, knowledge derived from a study, experience, instruction,
signals or symbols.

Information Literacy

It has been called as the Information Age from the beginning of the 21st century because of the explosion
of information output and information sources. It is the set of skills requiring people to recognize when
information is needed and have the ability to access, locate, evaluate, effectively use and communicate
information in its various formats.

It also involves the traditional skills such as reading, researching and writing, but new ways to read and
write have also introduced new skills:

 Consuming Information
 Producing Information
Technology Literacy

It is the ability of an individual either working independently or with others, to responsibly,

appropriately and effectively use technological tools. Using these tools an individual can access, manage,
integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information.

Media Literate Information Literate Technology Literate

Access Recognize Access
Analyze Access Manage
Evaluate Locate Integrate
Create Evaluate Evaluate
Reflect Effective use Create
Act Communicate Communicate
Short Quiz (10 items)

IDENTIFICATION: Identify the words or phrases being described.

______________1. It is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create reflect and act using all forms of
communication.

______________2. It is a process exchanging information between individuals through a common system of

symbols, signs or behavior.

______________3. It is the ability to access, locate, evaluate, effectively use and communicate information in
its various formats.

______________4. This can be any sort of interference that affects the message being sent, received, or
understood. It can be as literal as static over a phone line or esoteric as misinterpreting a local custom.

______________5. It is the ability to use technological tools that can enable individual to access, manage,
integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information.

6-10 Draw the “Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication”