Media and Information Literacy

• Media


  The channels or ways in which news, entertainment, marketing messages, or other information is spread
• Literacy


  The ability to read, understand, analyze, and create using written language
• Media Literacy


  The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate information in a variety of forms, including print and non-print messages
• According to Yale University, media literacy involves the ability to synthesize, analyze and produce mediated messages
• Media literate


  Someone who can read, understand, analyze, and create media
• Information Literacy


  The abilities to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and effectively use, and communicate information in its various formats (UNESCO)
• Technology Literacy


  One's ability to use, manage, evaluate, and understand technology
• Media Evolution Eras

  • Pre-Industrial Age (Before 1700)
  • Industrial Age (1700 - 1930)
  • Electronic Age (1930 - 1980)
  • Information Age (1990 - 2000)
• Pre-Industrial Age Developments


  • Discovery of fire
  • Development of paper from plants
  • Forging of weapons and tools with stone, bronze, copper, and iron
  • Cave Paintings (35,000 BCE)
  • Papyrus in Egypt (2500 BCE)
  • Clay Tablets in Mesopotamia (2400 BCE)
  • Acta Diurna in Rome (130 BCE)
• Industrial Age Developments


  • Use of the power of steam
  • Development of machine tools
  • Establishment of iron production
  • Manufacturing of books through the printing press
• Electronic Age Developments


  • Invention of the transistor
  • Transistor radio
  • Electronic circuits
  • Early computers
• The internet paved the way for faster communication and the creation of the social network in the Information Age
• Media


  The term media, which is the plural of medium, refers to the communication channels through which we disseminate news, music, movies, education, promotional messages and other data
• Types of Media

  • Print Media
  • Broadcast Media
  • Digital/New Media
• Print Media


  One of the oldest and basic forms of mass communication consisting of paper and ink, reproduced in a printing process that is traditionally mechanical
• Broadcast Media


  Different media channels or broadcasters such as the television, internet, audio podcast, video content, and others to broadcast and communicate with the public
• Broadcast Media Examples

  • Television
  • Radio
• Digital/New Media


  Information shared through a digital device or screen, any form of media that relies on an electronic device for its creation, distribution, viewing, and storage
• Media Convergence


  The emerging of different types of mass media as well as portable and highly interactive technologies through digital media platforms
• Types of Information Sources

  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Tertiary
• Primary Sources


  Original materials which have not been interpreted, condensed, or evaluated by a second party, providing researchers and students a close look at the original ideas and experiences of events based on the first-hand experiences of the person who created them
• Secondary Sources


  Information sources that analyze, interpret, or discuss information about a primary information source, produced at some point after a primary information source appears
• Tertiary Sources


  Information sources that list, compile, or index primary and secondary sources, not always considered acceptable for academic research as they only provide overviews of the original references
• Library


  A means of access to information, ideas, and works of imagination (according to The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions)
• Types of Libraries

  • Academic Library
  • Special Library
  • Public Library
  • National Library
• Academic Library


  A library attached to academic institutions like schools, colleges, and universities, serving students, research scholars, teachers and staff of the academic institution
• Special Library


  A library serving a particular group of people, such as the employees of a firm or a government department, or the staff and members of a professional or research organization
• Public Library


  A library accessible by the public and generally funded from public sources (such as tax money) and may be operated by civil servants
• National Library


  A library specifically established by the government of a country to serve as the preeminent repository of information for that country, often including numerous rare, valuable, or significant works
• Internet


  A global network of computers that allows computer users around the world to share information for various purposes (according to Shelly and Campbell)
• Indigenous Media


  A form of media conceptualized, produced, and circulated by indigenous people as vehicles for communication, specifically for cultural preservation, cultural and artistic expression, political self-determination, and cultural sovereignty (according to Wilson et al.)
• Evaluating Information and Media

  • What or Who is the source of information?
  • What is the medium used?
  • What is its purpose?
  • How is the information made?
  • Is it valuable to the audience?
• Media and Information Languages


  The technical and symbolic ingredients or codes and conventions that media and information professionals may select and use in an effort to communicate ideas, information and knowledge
• Types of Media Languages

  • Technical Codes
  • Symbolic Codes
• Technical Codes


  Include sound, camera angles, types of shots and lighting, used to communicate specific meanings
• High-Angle Shot (HAS)


  A camera technique where the camera looks down on the character or subject from an elevated perspective, conveying narrative & character information and eliciting emotional response
• Low-Angle Shot (LAS)


  A shot from a camera angle positioned anywhere below the eye line, pointing upward, making a hero seem powerful, vulnerable, and increasing perceived height of an object
• Close-Up Shot


  A photograph or movie shot taken of a subject or object at close range intended to show greater detail to the viewer, signaling to the audience that something is important
• Extreme Close-Up Shot


  Frames a subject very closely, often so much so that the outer portions of the subject are cut off by the edges of the frame, commonly used on actors to show specific portions of the body
• Symbolic Codes


  Include the language, dress or actions of characters, or iconic symbols that are easily understood