MIL2122 Reference Material

Vocabulary flashcards covering MIL concepts, media evolution, and media languages.

Media and Information Literacy (MIL)

The ability to access, evaluate, create, and use information and media in a critical and ethical manner.

Media Literacy

Understanding how media works, how it is produced, and how it influences individuals and society.

Information Literacy

Skills to find, assess, and use information effectively for decision-making or problem-solving.

Technology Literacy

The ability to use digital tools and platforms efficiently and responsibly.

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze messages, recognize bias, propaganda, or misinformation.

Responsible Consumption & Creation

Ethical sharing and production of media content.

Active Citizenship

Empowers people to participate in informed discussions and democratic processes.

Lifelong Learning

Develops adaptability in a constantly changing information landscape.

Access

Finding reliable sources of information.

Analyze

Understanding context, purpose, and audience of a message.

Evaluate

Judging accuracy, reliability, and bias.

Create

Producing content that is clear, accurate, and ethical.

Reflect

Being aware of one’s own media habits and their effects.

Prehistoric Age

Earliest era (before 1700s) with cave paintings, carvings, smoke signals; oral tradition; no formal mass media; information passed face-to-face.

Industrial Age

1700s–1930s period of mass-produced printed materials (press, newspapers, books) and rising literacy.

Electronic Age

1930s–1980s era of radio, television, telephone, and film; faster reach and audio-visual content; information controlled by large media corporations.

New (Information) Age / Digital Age

1980s–present era of internet, social media, smartphones; two-way communication; instant access and global connectivity.

Print Media

Traditional mass communication via printed materials; tangible and portable; information fixed; requires literacy; slower to update.

Broadcast Media

Media transmitted through electronic signals to reach a wide audience; real-time or scheduled; one-way; audio-visual.

New Media

Digital-based communication that allows instant access, interactivity, and user-generated content.

Codes

Systems of signs used to create meaning (visual: colors/images; audio: music/sound; written: captions/text).

Conventions

Accepted ways of organizing and presenting content (e.g., news structure, documentary style, TV show formats).

Messages

The main idea being communicated; explicit (clearly stated) vs implicit (suggested or hidden).

Audience

People who receive and interpret content; interpretation varies by background and experience.

Producers

Individuals or organizations that create and distribute media (journalists, filmmakers, content creators, advertisers).

Other Stakeholders

Groups or entities that influence or regulate media (government agencies, sponsors, media owners, advocacy groups).

Digital Platform

Online platforms enabling two-way communication and user-generated content (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Zoom).