MODULE 2

Media, Information and Technology Literacy

At the end of the module, the learners should be able to:

1. Identify the similarities and differences between and among media literacy, information
literacy, and technology literacy; and
2. Discuss responsible use of media and information

In the study of Media and Information Literacy, we must first know what kinds of media exist.
Thus, it is important to scrutinize what media is in the first place. But I know that you are already
familiar with media. You have experienced using various forms of media. You watch films and TV
series often. You have multiple SNS accounts. Some of you might still listen to radio or read books and
newspaper. Others send text messages using different mobile applications. Ever since you were a
child, you have been exposed to media. You might not have realized it, but media is present in your
daily life. I’m certain that you will continue to use these forms of media until you grow old.
In this module will uncover the similarities and differences between and among media literacy,
information literacy, and technology literacy and will look into different ways on how to use media and
information responsibly.

Every day, we are bombarded with different pieces of information. Some of these are real
while others are untrue. But can you identify which ones are expressing the truth and which ones are
plain hoax? In this activity, tell whether the following headlines are real or not, and justify your answer.

YOUR JUDGMENT
HEADLINE JUSTIFICATION
REAL FAKE
Duterte, Robredo, ‘No shows’ at
Philippine Independence Day Rites
COVID leads to a bicycle boom, and
shortage, around the world.

Coronavirus deaths surge in Saudi

Arabia, Qatar

‘Glee ‘ Actress Naya Rivera found dead

at California Lake
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you believe these news items were true? How did you know?
2. Are all news and information on the Internet true? Why or why not?
3. Who gets to post news items online? Expound.

Every day, you encounter different forms of media and you even use some of these daily. But
what if, one day, you wake up to find no Internet, libraries, and cell phones? Newspapers, magazines,
radio stations and TV channels have also disappeared.

Reflection Questions:

 How would you be informed of anything now?

 What ways would you have to communicate with one another?
 How would you share information and communicate news and events?
 What would happen with the decisions you usually make?
 How would it affect the way you live?
 What would you personally miss most in such a situation?
 What would society lose in this situation?

The situation above is just a hypothetical situation, but hopefully, it will not come into reality. We
might have difficulty adjusting or going on with our daily activities without media since we have been
hooked already by these information and even entertainment providers.

But to use media effectively, we should know its ABC’s, that is, we must be literate about them.

MEDIA, INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY LITERACY

(Basic Definition)

Information and communication go hand-in-hand with media, because these concepts are at
the core of what media actually is. In the study of MIL, here are the terms that we need to understand
well so that we will have a thorough understanding of the entire course.

MEDIA

 Is defined as the means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers and

magazines that reach people widely.
 The physical objects used to communicate with, or the mass communication through physical
objects such as radio, television, computers, film, etc. It also refers to any physical object used
to communicate messages.
 Is used as an aid to help spread information in different forms and devices.

LITERACY

 The ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed
and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy 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

 The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms. It aims to
empower citizens by providing them with the competencies (knowledge and skills) necessary
to engage with traditional media and new technologies.

INFORMATION

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

INFORMATION LITERACY

 The ability to recognize when information is needed, and to locate, evaluate and effectively
communicate information in its various formats.

TECHNOLOGY LITERACY

 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 AND INFORMATION LITERACY

 The essential skills and competencies that allow individuals to engage with media and other
information providers effectively, as well as develop critical thinking and life-long learning skills
to socialize and become active citizens.

MEDIA LITERACY

Media literacy is a framework that provides us with the tools and techniques to navigate
media and its myriad of messages. From mere passive audience members to critical thinking
audiences, the framework helps us raise questions that need to be raised. Due to the varying
resources, conventions and formations surrounding media education and media literacy, there exists
some variations in the definition of the term. According to the US-based Center for Media Literacy
(CML) organization, the most common and universal definition of media literacy is “the ability to
access, analyze, and respond to a range of media.” (Sargant 2004, 28)

By range of media, this includes print, moving images, and other hybrid forms such as
multimedia texts.

 ACCESS denotes knowledge of where to find these forms of media. Aside from that, it should
include the technical competence to navigate around technology and easily adjust to the
technological advancements that happen every now and then. It might mean having access to
cable, knowing how to play the DVD Player, knowing how to adjust settings, and knowledge
where to access the media texts that are crucial to your life and to your community.
 ANALYSIS includes thinking reflectively and critically on what has been read, seen, or
experienced, and its implications to oneself and to one’s community. It also includes the
assessment of the reliability of the materials, its sources, and if it is presenting facts, the
reliability of the sources.
  RESPONSE includes the ability to experience and explore the pleasures of the media text, and
how these are realized through the language of the media. It also includes an evaluation of
how, as perennial media audiences, these media texts shape our insights, perspectives, and
identities.

Buckingham and Livingstone (2005) define media literacy as “having access to the media,
understanding the media, and creating/expressing oneself using the media.” It should teach learners
how to have access to the media, acquire the critical tools to understand the media, as well as create
and express themselves using the media. This definition also includes the ability to create using
media. It can include using the tools of media to create and produce your own media texts to gain a
better appreciation of the processes involved.
Media Literacy embraces everything – from having the knowledge needed to use old and new
media technology to having a critical relationship to media content in a time when the media
constitutes one of the most powerful forces in society.
UNESCO offers two working definitions of media literacy. The first involves the fusion of
information literacy and media literacy while the second emphasizes the role of the mass media and
going beyond media education.

Here are those definitions:

1. MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY (MIL): MIL stands for media and information literacy, and
refers to the essential competencies (knowledge, skills and attitude) that allow citizens to engage with
media and other information providers effectively and develop critical thinking and life-long learning
skills for socializing and becoming active citizens.

2. MEDIA LITERACY (ML): Understanding and using mass media in either an assertive or non-assertive
way, including an informed and critical understanding of media, the techniques they employ and their
effects. Also the ability to read, analyze, evaluate, and produce communication in a variety of media
forms (e.g. television, print, radio, computers, etc.) Another understanding of the term is the ability to
decode, analyze, evaluate, and produce communication in a variety of forms.

Both definitions are workable in current and future contexts of media literacy analysis.

Here are the key questions to ask when teaching media literacy:

 Who created this? Was it a company? Was it an individual? (If so, who?) Was it a comedian? Was it an
artist? Was it an anonymous source? Why do you think that?

 Why did they make it? Was it to inform you of something that happened in the world (for example, a
news story)? Was it to change your mind or behavior (an opinion essay or a how-to)? Was it to make
you laugh (a funny meme)? Was it to get you to buy something (an ad)? Why do you think that?

 Who is the message for? Is it for kids? Grown-ups? Girls? Boys? People who share a particular
interest? Why do you think that?
 What techniques are being used to make this message credible or believable? Does it have statistics
from a reputable source? Does it contain quotes from a subject expert? Does it have an authoritative-
sounding voice-over? Is there direct evidence of the assertions its making? Why do you think that?

 What details were left out, and why? Is the information balanced with different views -- or does it
present only one side? Do you need more information to fully understand the message? Why do you
think that?

 How did the message make you feel? Do you think others might feel the same way? Would everyone
feel the same, or would certain people disagree with you? Why do you think that?

Source: [Link]
why-is-it-important

Why do we need media literate citizen?

These days, we take in a huge amount of information from different media sources. From the TV
shows we watch to the Facebook feed we read, these messages may influence us in many different
ways. But all media shares one thing: Someone created it, and it was created for a reason.
Understanding the reason for its creation is important. That’s why it is vital that citizens become media
literate.

Read this BLOG entry: 8 Reasons why Media Literacy is Important

Interview FOUR of your classmates and ask them why they need to be media literate. Write their
answers below.

Classmate 1: ___________________________ Classmate 2: _________________________

Why do we need to be
media literate?

Classmate 3: ___________________________ Classmate 4: ___________________________

 INFORMATION LITERACY
Information literacy is the set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is
needed, and how to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively. In a world of exponential growth in
technology and the unabated proliferation of information sources, the need for information literacy
education is more apparent. (Zarate, 2016)

The need for information literacy also intersects with our basic functional literacy prowess. It is
not enough to know the basic skills of reading and writing. What is important is we know what to do
with the information we have. Knowledge will only become power if we know how to use it effectively.
An information literate person is also aware of how they gather, use, manage, synthesize, create
information, and data in an ethical manner. There is always an emphasis on the ethical side of
executing things because, as with any other action in life, we always want to be on the respectful side
of things.

How to develop Information Literacy skills?

You may not know it, but you already know some information literacy skills without it being taught to
you. These are basically our gut feelings anchored on our emotions as human beings. For instance,
when you wake up in the middle of the night and you feel like taking a leak, instantly, you would know
what to do. You will go where you can empty your bladder, and that is your comfort room. Given this
simple illustration, we could see how basic information helped you achieve your goal.

Watch Mike Eisenberg’s Vodcast on Information Literacy and find out

his idea on the BIG SIX in Information Literacy. Write them down
HERE.
INFORMATION LITERACY STEPS

1. ________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________

Image Source:
[Link]

In relation to the Big Six, here is an easy guide on the Information Literacy Process.
 Image Source: [Link]

TECHNOLOGY LITERACY
Technology literacy is the ability of an individual, working independently and with others, to
responsibly, appropriately and effectively use technology tools to access, manage, integrate, evaluate,
create and communicate information. (Source: [Link]

Technology literacy is the ability to effectively use technology to access, evaluate, integrate,
create and communicate information to enhance the learning process through problem-solving and
critical thinking. It helps one to communicate, solve problems, and enhance life-long learning skills for
future progress. (Source: [Link]
learner-centered-technology-integrated-instruction/29528)

Speaking of technology, computer is the usual technology used to process information and
communication, so it is important to develop your computer literacy skills as well. COMPUTER
LITERACY covers the set of skills, attitudes and knowledge necessary to understand and operate the
basic functions of information and communications technologies, including devices and tools such as
personal computers, laptops, cellphones, iPods, etc. Computer literacy is subdivided into HARDWARE
LITERACY (knowing how to use basic computer or laptop features and functions such as a mouse,
connecting a monitor to a CPU and so on) and SOFTWARE LITERACY (learning how to use various kinds
of application software packages such as word processing, spreadsheets, Power Point, etc). With the
advent of the new media ICT, we also learn how to navigate the Internet by being literate about online
life. This could be considered INTERNET LITERACY. Together, COMPUTER and INTERNET LITERACY
encompass the new media mobile technologies powered by the same computer systems and
facilitated by online means. In the digital age, more than being computer literate, we have to be
digitally literate as well.
DIGITAL LITERACY is defined as “the ability to use digital technology, communication tools or networks
to locate, evaluate, use and create information. It also refers to the ability to understand and use
information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources when presented via computers, or to a
person’s ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment.

To check your understanding of this subtopic, create a graphic organizer showing the different
literacies under technology literacy including a brief description of each. Show your output in the BOX
below.

RESPONSIBLE USE OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION

It is an undeniable fact that more than half of the people these days are media consumers
and users. Every day, we view several social media accounts, react to feeds and even comment on
some posts. We watch shows via Youtube and Netflix. We even subscribe to channels we like and
follow a lot of celebrities or influencers. In engaging with these activities, sometimes we give our
personal information. Experts and researchers alike have warned us on being responsible with the use
of media and information. But how can we be responsible users, consumers and producers of media
and information?

Here are some TIPS ON HOW TO BE RESPONSIBLE USERS AND PRODUCERS OF MEDIA AND
INFORMATION. Read its content and come up with a GRAPHIC ORGANIZER showing some TIPS on
HOW TO BE RESPONSIBLE USERS AND PRODUCERS OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION. You may ADD to
the TIPS given in the link. You can use online tools for your output.
A. Based on the discussions, what similarities and differences do you spot between and among media,
information and technology literacy? Complete the Venn diagram below. You may also use other online
resources to complete this task.

MEDIA LITERACY

INFORMATION LITERACY TECHNOLOGY LITERACY

B. Answer the quiz in this link.

[Link]
785c96bafe001aac91d5
 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) refers to the essential skills and competencies that allow
individuals to engage with media and other information providers effectively, as well as develop critical
thinking and life-long learning skills to socialize and become active citizens. In the study of MIL, we need to
understand information literacy, technology literacy and information literacy for a holistic understanding of
the subject. Since we are in the information age, it is of utmost importance that we understand the
significance of being a media and information literate citizen so that we can function well in the society and
contribute to its development.

A. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

As discussed, Information Literacy involves being able to access, manage, and share
information in a knowledgeable and responsible manner. The situation below will test how well you
can do such task. Read and analyze the situation and answer the matrix that follows.

Situation: According to the weather forecast, there is no typhoon. However, your locality is experiencing
heavy rainfall, while some parts in your province/ region are already flooded. There are reported
incidents of landslide, evacuation, stranded vehicles and drowning. As a student, what are you going to
do?
B. Write a 300-word essay discussing what you can contribute to your community if you are a media
and information literate individual. You may use the following to guide you in developing your
arguments:

 MIL as practiced on both personal and professional level

 MIL as expression of freedom of speech or expression
 MIL as tool for civic responsibility and nation-building

The rubric below will be used for the evaluation of your essay.

For more information and discussion about the module visit the following links and websites.

1. [Link]
2. [Link]
3. [Link]
and-why-is-it-important