Media and Information Literacy

MIL

Test 1.

Information literacy refers to the ability to know when there is a need for more information and the ability to locate, evaluate, and use the right information according to that need.

Media literacy deals more with a person’s ability to critically consume, understand, analyze, evaluate, and produce any type of media.

Technology literacy also incorporates information literacy but focuses more on a person’s ability to effectively use technology tools.

 

Test 2.

TYPES OF INFORMATION

1. Scholarly information- is information drawn from the research of field experts. The Central Connecticut State University advise that when learning about a topic, one must rely on scholarly sources because they are created by experts whose works have been peer-reviewed before being made public.

2. Professional/trade- includes current news and trends about the specific industry presented to experts and enthusiasts by someone with knowledge in the fields. Professional or trade journals do not have to be peer reviewed to be published but they are exposed to a higher level of scrutiny(examination) from people with knowledge in that field.

3. Entertainment/Popular- is information meant for the general population. A journalist, staff writer, or content producer may use some entertaining books in order to catch attention or to be easily understood. It is derived from or a discussion of other people’s work.

4. Opinion- is a viewpoint, judgement, or statement that is not conclusive. Opinions on a specific matter will vary from person to person and will not be thoroughly resolved. Two people may come up with opposing conclusions based on the same verifiable facts and information, but the disagreement may be sufficiently resolved when new facts are presented. Medical, legal, and judicial opinions are some of the examples in this category.

 

Test 3.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

1.      Primary sources- Simply put, first-hand accounts. these bring us as close as possible to the event, the subject, the original idea, or define things of a scientific study. Some examples of primary sources are:

·        Thesis and Dissertations

·        diaries

·        interviews

·        letters

·        Speeches

·        photographs

·        original works of art and literature

 

2.      Secondary Sources- A secondary source is anything that comments on analyzes, or tackles a primary source. The information from the primary source is reviewed, organized, or interpreted, often with the help of other secondary sources. Some examples of secondary sources are:

·        Textbooks

·        Biographies

·        Critical reviews

3.      Tertiary Sources- are sources that refer to a primary or secondary source. It gives an overview of the topic, but rarely contains original material. Some examples are:

·        Dictionaries

·        Handbooks

·        Tables

·        Encyclopedias

 

Test 4.

Date of Invention

·        World Wide Web – 1980s (specific 1989)

·        Modern Magazines – 18th century

·        Invention of Radio – 1895

·        Typewriter – 1800

·        Film – 1890s       

·        YouTube – 2005

·        Friendster – 2002                                            

·        Facebook – 2004

·        Telephone – 1876                                            

·        Skype – 2003

 

Test 5

Definition of Media

Media

-         when people talk about media, they often refer to its journalistic arm; the newspapers, the news reports on television, and more accurately the news reports and journalists involved in the production of daily news.

-         the term media comes from the word medium which is defined as channel, means or method. As an avenue or method, media is used to communicate information.

-         this information goes beyond what we call news or events that are of public interest

-         in a metaphorical sense rather than being a window to the world, media act as distorted mirrors to reality

-         media can also be tied to what we call mass media, or the media that reach large audience.

 

Functions of Media

Media are more than just channels for disseminating information. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) identifies the following functions:

 

1.“Media act as channels of information and knowledge through which citizens communicate with each other and make informed decisions”

 

2. “Media facilitate informed debates between diverse social actors”

 

3. “Media provide us with much of what we learn about the world beyond our immediate experience”

 

4.” Media are means by which a society learns about itself and builds a sense of community”

 

5. “Media function as a watchdog of government in all its forms, promoting transparency in public life and public scrutiny of those with power through exposing corruption, maladministration, and corporate wrongdoing.

 

6. “Media essential facilitators of democratic processes and one of the guarantors of free and fair elections”

 

7.“Media are a vehicle for cultural expression and cultural cohesion within and between nations”

 

8. “Media function as an advocate and social actor in its own right while respecting pluralistic values”