Introduction to Media and Information Literacy

Handout 1

Communication Then and Now

Communication Then and Now: Is it Really That Different?

Published Nov. 8, 2013 by 13jCarlos31

Some of us may remember the term penpals. In fact, the day of corresponding via telephone
and letter writing were not that long ago, although in this virtual age such men appear all but
antiquated. So, have the good all days of pen, ink and voice been outdated? Well, the answer
to this is certainly a resounding yes in many cultures and business around the world. We now
utilize high- speed Internet, fax, VoIP conference calling and the wonders of email. However,
are these means truly that much different than the days when we used to scribe letters, lick a
stamp and send a package from our home or office? You may b surprised to learn the answer to
this question.

Physicality Versus a Personal Touch

Letters gave us a very personal connection to the sender. His or her handwriting was unique,
the stationary could provide an air of professionalism and over time, business could develop a
longstanding relationship via these means. While email and fax may indeed be endowed with
electronic signatures and templates, there is truly very little difference. To be sure, the smell of
ink and the appearance of cursive has been all but replaced by fonts, email sigs and an
electronic address, but do not let outward appearance be misleading. If anything, emails can be
just as personal, humorous and intimate. Our styles still shine through; including misspelling,
incorrect grammar and other nuances that define us individuals (although we hope not too
much so).

More Information Equates to More Trust

In the business world, the purpose of any correspondence is to provide a recipient with
relevant information. One of the hindrances that occurred during the :good old days was the
fact that only so much information could be sent at any given time. For instance, imagine
sending a prototype for a new machine by post! Thankfully, the virtual age allows access to
such pertinent and potentially life- altering information at the click of a button. Not only does
this help a business or individual display an idea in the clearest way possible, but it indeed
allows for more robust and transparent relationships to be built.

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The Power of Sight and Voice

Trust is built through repeated contact. A supplier or colleague was forced to rely on the
occasional telephone call letter years ago. Now, they can see one another via the power of
virtual conference call instantaneously. This allows us to place a face to a product and such
advantages can hardly be overlooked. Although this may take place through the rather
impersonal use of binary 1s and 0s, such a method is actually more personal and intimate
than by handwritten letters or a voice alone.

So, while the good old days may be quickly turning into sweet, nostalgic memories, we
shouldnt confuse technological progress with a lack of intimacy. Indeed, building relationships
with a client from a few kilometers away or across the globe has never been easier. The good
old days are still good. These modern time are even better. (Van den Braak, 2013)

Questions to Ponder

a. What is that little difference between emails and personal letters?

b. In your opinion, is email better than personal letter? Why or why not?
c. Which is more trustworthy: the past form of communication or the new one? Explain
your answer.

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 Introduction to Media and Information Literacy

Handout 2

Introduction

Mass Media, information and technology become such influential forces in society. The
constant increase of new technologies aids the flow of communication and information.
Consequently, it greatly impacts our perspective about the world.

Today, various forms of media are made available to the public. People can just easily access
information not just through television and or newspaper, but through social media, allowing
them to produce their own media or be their gatekeepers of information.

With the reality in front of us, indeed, people need to be careful and discerning when selecting
the information to be used. People need to understand how media works and how it influences
us.

In conclusion, there is a great need for the 21st century citizens to be media literate.

Being Media and Information Literate

Media is defined as a means of communication that has the power to influence people. Radio,
television, magazines and newspapers are some examples of media. What does it have to do
with media literacy? Media Literacy is the ability to understand media. It is the ability to
decode, analyze, evaluate, and produce communication in a variety of forms (UNESCO MIL
Curriculum for Teacher).

Literacy, nowadays is not boxed to being able to read and write. To be literate is to be able to
collect and acquire the correct information, and use appropriate tool or medium in sharing the
information. In other words, media literacy defines the role of every consumer of media, and
that is to understand, translate, and use the information received from sources, accordingly
(Khan, 2015).

On the other hand, UNESCO MIL Curriculum for Teachers defined information literacy, as the
ability to recognize when the information is needed and to locate, evaluate, communicate, and
effectively use information in its various formats. Literacy is what makes the citizens lifelong
learners. It allows the people to master content and extend their investigations, become more
self- directed, and assume greater control over their own learning. (Association of college &
Research Libraries, 2016).

However, to fully be information literate, one has to be technology or digital literate as well.
They go hand in hand for the reason that information, nowadays are gathered with the aid of
technology. What is technology (digital) literacy?

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Technology (digital) literacy is defined by Colorado Department of Education (CDE) as the
ability to responsibly use appropriate technology to communicate, solve problems, access,
manage, integrate, evaluate, design and create information to improve learning in all subject
areas, and acquire lifelong knowledge and skills in the 21st century. Technology Literacy aims
not just the skill of the citizens on operating existing tools, but it also targets the willingness of
people to open up to learning new technologies.

Understanding Basic Concepts

Definition of Terms

Medium- a channel of communication by which people send or receive information

Media- plural form of medium
Mass Media- technology that is intended to reach a mass audience
Traditional Mass Media- one-to-many form of communication such as radio and
television (TV)
New Media- one-to-many or many-to-many form of communication such as blog and
social media

Four (4) Characteristics of Mass Media

1. Distance- Communication between those who send and receive message (media-speak
for information) is:
Impersonal
Lacks immediacy; and is
One- way (from the producer/ creator of the information to the consumer or
audience).
2. Technology Driven- Mass communication requires a vehicle that allows message to be
sent and received.
3. Scale- It involves simultaneous communication with many people.
4. Commodity- Mass media comes at a price.

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 Introduction to Media and Information Literacy

Handout 3

Types of Media

1. Print Media
Print Media is the oldest form of medium, represented by magazines, journals, newsletters,
and in the Philippines, tabloids, and komiks. This medium relies on the technology involving
the process of transferring media text to paper in large quantities.

Examples of Print Media

a. Newspaper
It is a lightweight and disposable publication printed on low- cost recycled paper called
newsprint. In the Philippines, two (2) kinds of newspaper can be seen- broadsheets or
the mainstream newspaper, and the other one is a tabloid, which is often written in the
Filipino language.

b. Magazine
Magazines cater specific audience with specific interests. The paper used for magazines
is different from a newspaper.

c. Komiks
Komiks is a Filipino version of the graphic novel that is primarily read for entertainment.
However, Komiks is now being used by government and non- government organizations
as a medium to bring messages to the mass audience.

2. Broadcast Media
Broadcast Media can be defined as media that distribute audio and video content, hence,
radios and television. In the Philippines, it has been found out through a democracy study
that television indeed is more popular medium than the radio. People often update
themselves on current events through the television.

3. New Media
New Media are those information and information providers accessed via the Internet or
through mobile communication such as online newspapers, independent and alternative
online news sources, informational websites, and blogs. The so- called new media are fast
becoming the media of choice (Khan, 2015, p. 8).

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4. Film
Movies (films), the oldest form of motion picture technology, has been a popular
entertainment medium capable of capturing lifelike video- style imagers. Films. Also called
motion picture and cinema, have a goal of unfolding a story, maybe a fiction or a true- to-
life story. Film is regarded as one of a significant forms of art, with the primary purpose of
entertaining its audience.

Some Types of Films:

a. Feature Films- They are usually produced by mainstream movie studios and have a
running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole film to fill a
program, usually 90 minutes to 120 minutes.
b. Short Films- They are any film with length of 10 minutes to 30 minutes, not long
enough to be considered as feature films.
c. Alternative Films- They are referred as indie films, produced by an independent
studio or filmmakers.
d. Documentary Films- They are defied as films or TV programs showing the facts
about a person or an event. They are nonfictional movies meant to produce some
aspects of reality.

5. Advertising Media
Though advertising is not a medium per se, its content is the medium itself. From the media
literacy viewpoint, advertising is the mass media content intended to persuade a targeted
audience to take action toward a product, service or idea. It comes in different forms like a
print ad, a radio plug, or a billboard along the highway.

6. Indigenous Media
Indigenous media, according to Oxford Bibliographies, may be classified as forms of media
expression theorized, created, and spread by indigenous people around the world as means
of communication, including cultural preservation, cultural and artistic expression political
self- determination and cultural sovereignty.

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